UKHO Celebrates World Hydrography Day
Trinity House provided a very appropriate venue to host the World Hydrography Day celebrations of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) on 18th June 2008. An evening reception with a presentation to raise the profile and understanding of the core importance of hydrography to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) , and protection of the marine environment, hosted by UKHO Chief Executive, Mike Robinson, and UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, at the historic London building brought together guests from around the world.
Ambassadors and attachés from a wide range of Foreign Government Embassies joined in the event along with key stakeholders such as the Second Permanent Under Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Ian Andrews CBE TDA, the President of the International Hydrographic Organization, Vice Admiral Alexandros Maratos, and Deputy Director of Maritime Safety at the International Maritime Organization, Harmut Hesse.
The event was one of many being held around the globe to mark the annual World Hydrography Day (WHD) which relates to the founding of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) 87 years ago.This year's WHD theme focused on international capacity building and widening the global capability building to improve SOLAS. In support of this UKHO prepared a range of information leaflets and display boards to highlight the importance of capacity building, hydrography and the role UKHO plays in assisting the development of hydrographic and cartographic capabilities around the world in support of the IHO Capacity Building Programme.
The information was put on display for Trinity House guests to see after being relocated from the Ministry of Defence main Whitehall building, where it had been on show earlier in the week. UKHO subject matter experts were also on hand to answer questions and queries.
Mike Robinson told guests that Trinity House formed the ideal venue for UKHO's WHD celebrations as it is an icon of maritime safety in the UK
He said he was delighted guests in attendance represented a spectrum of backgrounds, nations and specialisms ranging from defence, shipping, surveying, cartography and other maritime-related disciplines. And he added: "I believe absolutely that our collective work is a global force for good."
UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, said: "International capacity building enables developing countries to improve their hydrographic surveying and nautical cartography. Ultimately capacity building promotes improvements to SOLAS for all mariners wherever they sail in an increasing globalised economy.
