The Royal Navy’s Deputy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Philip Jones CB, visited the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) last Wednesday, 18 July, to see at first hand the navigational services and charts that the organisation provides for the world’s mariners .
A key UKHO objective is “To deliver the Hydrographic Services which enable the Royal Navy and other UK Defence forces to meet current and potential operational tasks” . This increasingly encompasses support to other National Security interests, an example of which has been recent UKHO products delivered in support of Olympic Games security. A significant part of the visit was therefore spent within the dedicated Defence section in the Office looking at operational and security work.
Vice Admiral Jones’ visit also included briefing on the latest improvements to chart data processing and the development plans for digital services and products including the Admiralty e-Navigator service and the electronic chart service Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS). A tour of the UKHO’s facilities enabled him to meet many of the skilled staff involved in all aspects of the production process of digital and paper charts.
On completion of his visit, Vice Admiral Jones remarked: “Throughout my naval career I have relied completely upon Admiralty charts and publications for safe navigation. I am also grateful for the increasingly more detailed and specific defence related products and services that are central to the operational commander’s modern decision making tools. I have been particularly pleased to see that the voice of the seagoer for navigational safety and operational requirements is continually and consistently reflected in the plans and outputs of the UKHO. The Royal Navy is certainly being well served”.
UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert , said: “We are delighted to have our prime Defence user on site and to have his clear interest and support for our work in support of the mariner. This has been a great opportunity to brief on and to gain feedback about the use of our products and services in the Royal Navy’s global operations.”
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 31, 2012; Image: UKHO