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Photo Courtesy of UN
UN General Assembly
Links
Better Maritime Information to Safety and Economy
As the National
Hydrographer, NOAA Corps Captain David MacFarland addressed the United
National General Assembly last month, thanking that body for granting
"observer status" to the International Hydrographic Organization. Speaking
on behalf of the organization, an intergovernmental group dedicated to
supporting safe navigation and protecting the marine environment, Captain
MacFarland said that granting observer status at the UN will allow the
International Hydrographic Organization to significantly boost discussion
about safe navigation and cooperative effort among all UN member states.
"It was incredibly exciting to speak at the UN," he said. "Perhaps the
most exciting part was that as I was returning to my seat after delivering
my remarks I turned around to see that I was being followed by maybe 12
ambassadors and delegates -- all eager to know more about joining the
International Hydrographic Organization. They could see the value, the
lifesaving aspects and economic potential, of nautical charts. They could
see the tie between better maritime information and a more prosperous
and sustainable economy."
Captain MacFarland heads the National Ocean Service’s Office of Coast
Survey, filling the traditional position of National Hydrographer, the
U.S. delegate to the International Hydrographic Organization. The Office
of Coast Survey is responsible for the nautical charting and mapping of
America’s waters, from certain inland waters and rivers to ports and the
deep oceans. In line with promoting safe navigation, the office is charged
with safeguarding life, property and the environment in tandem with bolstering
economic growth.
With over two-thirds of goods consumed by Americans traveling by ship,
from oil and automobiles, to electronics and clothing, the maritime commerce
industry stakes life, property and livelihoods on the products and services
produced by the Office of Coast Survey. NOAA products and services provide
for safe navigation, reducing environmentally and economically destructive
accidents, as well as minimizing loss of life.
With 70 member countries and eight more pending, the International Hydrographic
Organization is committed to ensuring the greatest possible uniformity
in nautical charts and documents, supporting reliable and efficient methods
of conducting and applying hydrographic surveys. Every major maritime
nation belongs to the organization, employing thousands of people in national
hydrographic offices throughout the world. The survey fleet of the organization’s
member nations has 350 ships, plus a considerable number of survey launches
and a few aircraft. Forty member countries provide training for national
and international students.
In addressing the UN, Captain MacFarland underscored the importance of
navigation and protection of the marine environment. “The International
Hydrographic Organization’s work is aimed at achieving adequate global
hydrographic data coverage. Without systematic collection and evaluation
of data related to coastal typography, navigation, tides, currents and
bathymetry (depth surveys), it is impossible to produce reliable navigational
charts. Scientists and administrators also need adequate parameters to
study and take measures for marine environmental management.”
The International Hydrographic Organization is fully committed to developing
hydrography in Africa, Central America, the Middle East, East Asia and
Eastern Europe, among other regions. Captain MacFarland said that, “Developing
hydrography and charting significantly benefits countries which have under
their jurisdiction sea and internal waters supporting international trade
and transportation.”
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/
http://www.iho.shom.fr/
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