World Hydrography Day 2016 Celebrated in Adelaide

This year marked the 95th anniversary of World Hydrography Day on 21 June and the SSSI Hydrography Commission, SSSI SA and the Australasian Hydrographic Society hosted an event at ‘The Beachouse’, Adelaide, to celebrate the occasion. The event received extraordinary support from local hydrographic industry partners, resulting in HydroSurvey Australia, Precision Hydrographic Services and Fugro LADS Corporation sponsoring the day.

By Mathieu Bestille, SSSI Hydrography Commission National Committee – SA Representative.

With breathtaking views of Glenelg Beach, over 30 delegates were witness to a broad range of presentations, many drawn from local South Australian case studies. Topics included the WHD 2016 theme ‘Hydrography, the key to well-managed seas and waterways’, as well as, the evolution of Airborne Lidar Bathymetry for shallow coastal waters, estuary and rivers; a case study of a local South Australian hydrographic survey project near Kangaroo Island; the future implementation of the GDA2020; an update on the South Australian Tidal Network; a case study of an Airborne Lidar Bathymetry project in French Polynesia; as well as a graduate’s first-hand account of starting a career as a hydrographic surveyor.

For the second year in a row the event was well received, and was a great opportunity for delegates from various backgrounds to network and discuss common issues in an informal environment. The afternoon ended with networking drinks that will certainly build on and maintain the hydrographic community in South Australia. Thanks must be made to all attendees, presenters and sponsors.

Each year on 21 June the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) celebrates World Hydrography Day. World Hydrography Day (WHD) is a day to celebrate hydrography and to highlight the work of hydrographic surveyors on a global basis.