The Maritime Government
[By: UK Hydrographic Office]
Taunton, 2nd November 2022 – The UK Hydrographic Workplace (UKHO) has offered the 2021 Alexander Dalrymple Award to the US Workplace of Coast Survey (OCS) in recognition of its excellent contribution to world hydrography.
UK Nationwide Hydrographer Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher handed over the award on behalf of the UKHO on the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s headquarters. The award was accepted by Rear Admiral Ben Evans, US Nationwide Hydrographer and Director of the OCS. Following delays brought on by the pandemic, the award presentation occurred on 5 October 2022.
As a key workplace inside the NOAA, the OCS is liable for surveying and charting the waters inside the US Unique Financial Zone. It has been on the forefront of hydrographic developments for a few years.
The award recognises the instrumental position performed by the OCS in laying the foundations for the hydrographic group coming into an thrilling new period of digitalisation. Notably, this has included its profitable modernisation of NOAA’s chart manufacturing processes and supply.
As a precursor to the following era of digital navigation providers, the OCS launched the NOAA Customized Chart Device 1.0 in 2021. The dynamic map instrument allows customers to create and obtain their very own customized nautical charts utilizing Digital Navigational Chart (ENC) knowledge.
The OCS has additionally helped steer the modernisation, discoverability and accessibility of hydrographic knowledge on a worldwide scale. From its strategic work with the Worldwide Hydrographic Group to its unconditional help of the Seabed 2030 initiative, this collaboration – mixed with ongoing technological innovation – will profit the worldwide hydrographic group into the long run.
Commenting on the award, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher stated: “Following a totally eventful and extremely demanding 12-month interval in 2021 associated to sustaining outputs within the eye of the COVID-19 pandemic storm specifically, but additionally recognising the truth that they’ve been on the high of their recreation for for much longer, the numerous contribution of the Workplace of Coast Survey to hydrographic good practise can’t be underestimated. Their successes rightly generate prominence, however, in equal measure, value-add for the remainder of the worldwide hydrographic group.
“It was an absolute pleasure to current the Alexander Dalrymple Award to the present Director, Rear Admiral Ben Evans, in particular person throughout a really helpful go to to the OCS headquarters in Silver Spring close to Washington DC, the place he and his fantastic workers fulfil a key set of duties for the US Authorities each in nationwide waters and throughout the globe.”
On behalf of the OCS, Rear Admiral Evans stated: “The Alexander Dalrymple award is an incredible honour, which recognises the tireless efforts of my predecessors and the whole workers of Coast Survey. I deeply recognize Admiral Hatcher’s go to to current it and the chance to debate problems with widespread curiosity in hydrography and nautical charting.
“Whereas we have now made important progress, there stays a lot to do as we ponder a brand new period of S-100 merchandise and the rising demand for hydrographic knowledge for a variety of non-navigation purposes. Coast Survey values its sturdy ties with the UKHO and all our worldwide companions, and I stay up for working collectively as we proceed to enhance mapping and charting of the world’s oceans and the protection and effectivity of marine transportation.”
Named after the primary Hydrographer of the British Admiralty, the Alexander Dalrymple Award has been awarded annually by the UKHO since 2006 to recognise excellent contributions to hydrography. Recipients of the award are chosen by the Government Committee of the UKHO for his or her efforts in elevating the requirements of hydrography, cartography and navigation around the globe.
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