8 th Regional Seapower Symposium Venice October 2010 The Importance of hydrography to maritime activities. Vice Admiral Alexandros Maratos President International Hydrographic Bureau International Hydrographic Organization

The UN General Assembly has recognised with a special resolution the importance of hydrography to be celebrated as World Hydrography Day every year on the 21 June in order to raise world-wide awareness of its importance to all sectors of our life.

What Is Hydrography ? ?

Data, information, products, survey vessels, equipment, techniques, standards and trained personnel are all needed and combined to define hydrography.

Why hydrography?

… without hydrography - - no ship sails

… without hydrography - - There is no Safety of navigation Safety of navigation

… without hydrography - - no port is built

… without hydrography - - no offshore infrastructure is developed

… without hydrography - - no environmental plan is implemented

… without hydrography - - There is no protection of the marine environment

… without hydrography - - no rescue is attempted

… without hydrography - - no maritime boundary is delimited

… without hydrography - - no shore is defended, no island protected

… without hydrography - - maritime defence is incomplete is incomplete

Who is responsible for hydrography and hydrographic services?

Chapter V of regulation 9 of SOLAS defines the obligations of Contracting Governments to provide hydrographic services for the safety of navigation and other maritime activities for the waters under their national jurisdiction.

SOLAS V/9 ( provision of hydrographic services and navigational warnings ) … are International Obligations under Treaty Law … applies to ALL Contracting Governments

The IHO is the intergovernmental consultative and technical organization established in 1921 to coordinate the activities of its Member States Hydrographic Offices in order to better support national, regional and global hydrographic requirements.

Conclusions Safety of navigation Safety of navigation Protection of marine environment Protection of marine environment National infrastructure development National infrastructure development Coastal zone management Coastal zone management Marine exploration Marine exploration Resource exploitation – minerals, fishing Resource exploitation – minerals, fishing Maritime boundary delimitation (UNCLOS, others) Maritime boundary delimitation (UNCLOS, others) Maritime defence and security Maritime defence and security Disaster management Disaster management

To the question …What is needed to support maritime needs and requirements? HYDROGRAPHY - What else!

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