South African Hydrographer Honoured
Captain Abri Kampfer, the Hydrographer of South Africa has been awarded the Alexander Dalrymple Award for services to hydrography. As Abri was unable to attend the presentation in person, this national award was presented by Under Secretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones MP, to Brigadier General Fakir, the defence naval advisor to the South African High Commission, on his behalf.
Abri, a close colleague of the UK National Hydrographer and a highly respected figure in the International Hydrographic Organization, has worked tirelessly to represent his region and to develop its hydrographic and cartographic expertise and capabilities and at the same time chaired the major task group relating to the Worldwide Electronic Navigational Database that is central to the delivery of Electronic Navigational Charts. He was announced as the winner of the award at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's World Hydrography Day celebrations at HQS Wellington in London at World Hydrography Day.
The award is a symbol of recognition for outstanding dedication and contribution to world hydrography and as such is an extremely prestigious award in this sector. It takes its name from Alexander Dalrymple who established the UK Hydrographic Office in 1795 and is regarded as a leading figure in the history of the development of hydrography.
Abri joined the navy from school, and was a warfare officer with particular specialist skills relating to mine warfare, before completing a CAT A Advanced survey course at RNHMS Drake and a post graduate qualification from Plymouth University. He was appointed Hydrographer of the South African Navy in 2003 and shortly afterwards chair of the South African and Islands Hydrographic Commission (SAIHC).
Despite a lack of staff he has participated in technical visits in the SAIHC region and raised awareness of the importance of hydrography at a high level by assisting in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia and Uganda. At the same time he has been involved in a number of important strategic hydrographic committees including the Worldwide Electronic Database and has been an active supporter of the UKHO for catalysing change and accelerating delivery of Electronic Navigational Charts.
