Societies

Hydrographic Society Russia
HSR members are not only Russian citizens, but also citizens from other countries. An active HSR member is Anatoliy Ivanovich Gonchar, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Ukraine and director of the Scientific and Engineering Centre for Panoramic Acoustical System (SEC PAS) located in the town of Zaporozhye. The HSR President Nikolay Neronov and other HSR members appreciated the international nature of the society during 13–14 May 2008, when the second international scientific and practical conference ( Problems, methods and means of investigation of World Ocean ) took place in Zaporozhye. The conference was devoted to the 90th anniversary of NAS of Ukraine and the 15th anniversary of the SEC PAS.

Research by scientific organisations and institutions of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Byelorussia were presented during the conference, including both theory and practice of researchers in the World Ocean. The most topical, fundamental and applied problems currently facing oceanology, hydrography, hydroacoustics, marine geophysics and ecology were discussed. The necessity of development of fundamental and applied science in the sphere of World Ocean research, with adaptation of panoramic acoustical systems (PAS), was highlighted. The scientists assume that the application of new standards regarding accuracy and detail of hydrographical works, stated in the IHO resolution S-44, will require a survey by continuous inspection of 25,000km2seabed using the PAS.

In addition, new information about acoustic field transformation, seabed structure modelling and geodynamics in different ocean regions, gravimetric tomography and assessment of tectonic structure stress conditions (important in applied problems such as the modelling and forecast of disastrous tsunamis) were discussed.

The SEC PAS implemented the algorithm of response (profilogram), receiving an impulse action from bottom layered structures including large-scale inclusions. The acquisition of such profilograms is necessary for the development of algorithms of discernment and stratification of bottom sediment, as well as the detection of inhomogeneity in bottom structures in acoustical signals.

The questions touched upon during the conference proved that the new fundamental study and technology development are very important for World Ocean investigation. Presented works will undoubtedly have a scientific significance and their results will be used in subsequent projects.

During the final part of the conference, an excursion down the river Dnipro on the motor ship around the historical island Chortitsa was organised. Specialists of the Centre demonstrated the efficiency of the PAS created in the Centre for the fairway investigation of the river Dnipro

Australisian Hydrographic Society

A Loaded Day
Thursday 4th September 2008 was a busy day for the AHS. In the afternoon the AHS Board met and discussed the way ahead for the AHS. In the evening both the East Australian Region (EAR) and the Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS) held their Annual General Meetings before enjoying a fine meal in the Wardroom at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney.
The EAR had vacancies for the chair and secretary, however no nominations were received. Some Members will be approached in the next few weeks to take office. Meanwhile, existing officers will continue until 30th September 2008 after which the situation will be reviewed.
The AHS re-elected the current officers for a further year.
Members should also be made aware that the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel have updated their guidelines and information on the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI) webpage 8 1 under the Hydrographic Commission, Certification section.
Continuing professional development (CPD) points were required by SSI this year for all certified hydrographic surveyors. Any questions or queries regarding CPD can be directed to the Chair of the hydrographic commission, Mr Richard Cullen, [email protected]

As Young Ambassador to the XXIV Federation of Surveyors (FIG) International Congress to be held in Sydney in 2010, Venessa O’Connell would like to remind everyone to set aside the 11–16th April 2010. Further information regarding the congress can be found online (web reference 2).