Celebrations for WHD and 25 Years NHI

During the Hydrographic Society Benelux workshop on 21st June 2011 in Scheveningen, Netherlands, celebrations were held for World Hydrography Day and the 25-year jubilee of the Netherlands Hydrographic Institute. The workshop was themed ‘The Human Factor', reflecting the international focus of the International Hydrographic Organization.

Before the workshop, the delegates were able to have a guided tour on Hr Ms Snellius, a hydrograhic vessel of the Netherlands Royal Navy and on the Zirfaea, a hydrographic vessel of Rijkswaterstaat. Mark Heine (Fugro) contributed on the characteristics of the upcoming professional population, Erwin Leijs (Geo.XYZ) explained how the company was growing and which implications this had regarding human resources and management and Mark Pronk (Marine Geomatics) focused on outsourcing as another way to optimise the business processes.

Following these presentations, Erwin Wormgoor presented the now 25-year existing cooperation between the Hydrographic Service of the Netherlands Royal Navy and Rijkswaterstaat, Netherlands Hydrographic Institute. This service coordinates the use of hydrographic vessels, the planning of re-surveying and coordination of survey and data standards. This will be even more emphasised in the future.

A toast on the hydrographic profession was presented by Leeke van der Poel, chairman of the Hydrographic Society Benelux, Floor de Haan, Commander of the Hydrographic Service and Niek Bruin, Rijkswaterstaat (photo).

Below, more photos of this workshop are visible. CARIS also submitted images of their World Hydrography Day celebration.