SA Navy committed to deliver hydrographic capacity

Highlighting the importance of hydrographic surveying

SOUTH AFRICA: Celebrating World Hydrographic Day on Friday, the South African Navy (SAN) hosted a programme that served to demonstrate the critical importance of maintaining hydrographic services to ensure safety, efficiency and sustainable marine activities.

SAN is currently in the process of building a new state-of-the-art hydrographic vessel which forms an integral part of Project Hotel, a programme that also included the now completed upgrade of the South African Navy’s Hydrographic Office (SANHO) at Silvermine.

Other deliverables include three motorboats, a seaboat and the upgrading of logistical support.

Flag Officer Fleet, Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde, opened the day with an emphatic statement on the importance of hydrography. “Without hydrography no ship can sail safely, no infrastructure can be constructed, no innovation can take place and no rescue can be attempted,” he said.

Invited to provide a context of South Africa’s mandate as a member state of the International Maritime Organisation as well as a signatory of UNCLOS and other maritime conventions, Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane, Chief Director Maritime Safety, Security and the Environment at the Department of Transport, noted the need for continuous improvement of the country’s capabilities as well as the requirement to ensure a succession plan through training of future hydrographers.

“We need to take care of these functions and we appreciate the sterling efforts of the SANHO to ensure we meet our international obligations,” she said.

Speaking to invited guests on Friday at the Cruise Terminal in the Port of Cape Town, Acting National Hydrographic Officer, Cdr Nicolette Le Roux noted that, as a member of the International Hydrographic Organisation, South Africa is mandated to chart Region H.

Le Roux provided an overview of the hydrographic functions undertaken by SAN as she highlighted the importance of hydrography to shipping, fishing and other maritime-related activities. Accurate knowledge of the seabed and water depths as well as the impact of tidal changes remain crucial for plotting efficient sailing routes; understanding where to anchor and even the placement of aquaculture activities.

Without proper hydrographic information, Le Roux contended that mariners would be at greater risk at sea and that search and rescue as well as pollution abatement would be far more difficult to undertake effectively.

“The South African Navy Hydrographic Office is committed to meet the increasing demands with a professional service,” she assured guests.

Providing a historical perspective of the hydrographic activities of SAN, Theo Stokes, former National Hydrographic Officer, also clarified the importance of hydrography and noted that most of the country’s ambitions within the ocean economy relied in some way on the availability of accurate data produced by hydrographers.

Stokes, who was involved in the drafting of the newly-promulgated Hydrographic Act, said that the national hydrographic strategy alongside the newly upgraded hydrographic office would ensure South Africa’s capacity to meet future hydrographic demands.

Acting Project Officer for the navy’s Hydrographic Capability Replacement Project, Cdr Grovè was also on hand to provide more information about the new hydrographic vessel and the type of instrumentation that will be fitted on board.

Although the delay in the delivery of the new hydrographic vessel was raised during the question and answer session, RAdmr Mkokonde assured guests that the navy’s mandate to deliver hydrographic services was not being compromised in any way.

PHOTO: Flag Officer of the Fleet, Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde with Cdr Grovè and Cdr Nicolette Le Roux.

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