Improving maritime safety with South West Pacific partners

Shaping strategic policy in the fields of hydrography, nautical charting and related navigational safety is the focus of the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission Meeting, held in Wollongong from 12-14 February 2020.

Members of the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission work together to improve maritime safety through hydrographic capacity building and forging strong connections as a maritime community.

Commodore Fiona Freeman, RAN, Hydrographer of Australia, hosted the event and said it presented an opportunity for delegates to discuss developments in surveys, charting and maritime safety information.

“The Australian Hydrographic Office is the nation’s official hydrographic agency, responsible for meeting Defence’s obligations for provision of nautical charts, products and services under the Navigation Act,” Commodore Freeman said.

“Defence, through the Australian Hydrographic Office, is working with its counterparts to strengthen the South West Pacific region’s hydrographic capability and safe use of the maritime environment, which are important to the region’s security and economic development.

“Australia is a maritime nation, and we share a reliance on the Pacific Ocean with our neighbours in the region. The South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission meeting provides us with a unique opportunity to engage as partners in this vitally important area.

“I welcome the government, international organisation and industry representatives from 15 nations as we work together to optimise the safe use of the maritime environment.” 

For more information on the Australian Hydrographic Office please visit: www.hydro.gov.au.