The Nigerian Navy is set to enhance the safety of the nation’s maritime environment and mitigate underwater hazards through accurate and updated data/charts to commemorate the 2024 World Hydrography Day (WHD).
The Nigerian Navy, chaired by its Hydrographer, Rear Admiral AO Olugbode disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, where he highlighted the significance of the WHD and its impact on achieving a safe maritime environment.
Hydrography is the science of measuring and describing the physical features of water bodies and their adjacent coastal areas. The discipline is crucial for safe navigation, marine resource management, and environmental protection.
Thus, the WHD is celebrated annually on June 21 to recognise the importance of hydrography in ensuring safe and efficient navigation of the planet’s waters.
The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Hydrographic Information: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Marine Activities’.
Consequently, the Nigerian Navy announced its plans to deliver awareness lectures on hydrography to selected secondary schools in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt from June 14 to 19.
Olugbode revealed that the lectures are expected to inspire young minds to consider careers in hydrography while ensuring the availability of the human capacity to provide quality hydrographic services to the nation’s policymakers and mariners alike.
The event scheduled to hold on June 21, will feature a plenary session aimed at bringing together stakeholders and government officials for a one-day seminar to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration.
The event will also feature the presentation of papers on the critical role of hydrographic data in promoting maritime safety and sustainable practices, aligned with this year’s theme.
“During the plenary session, we will unveil the Revised National Charting Scheme, which addressed some gaps observed in the old scheme and provided an enduring framework for improved precision in navigational products.
“This new scheme includes geographic names, coordinates, and scales, which are crucial for safe navigation by mariners. safe navigation.
“Additionally, we will introduce the Catalogue of Nigerian Charts, enhancing accessibility to maritime resources, cataloguing existing charts, and detailing future productions.
“This ensures the maritime community has updated information for timely and effective decision-making,” he said.
At the exhibition stand, stakeholders in hydrography are expected to display their products and interact with users to improve hydrographic service delivery in Nigeria.
The Navy noted, “These efforts will harness the full potential of hydrographic data for the benefit of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, supporting maritime safety and fostering economic development.”
Speaking further on the relevance of the occasion, Olugbode said that this year’s theme resonates deeply with the core principles of hydrography: The safety of all maritime stakeholders, which is largely dependent on accurate hydrographic data.
He said such data ensures safe navigation, optimised operational efficiency, and promotion of sustainable practices in the maritime industry.
Olugbode said, “This data allows seafarers to navigate confidently, mitigating risks associated with navigation hazards and ensuring the safety of lives and property at sea.
“Consider the impact of our hydrographic surveys on the Lagos Channel and Bonny River.
“These surveys identified and mitigated underwater hazards, significantly reducing maritime accidents.
“The precision of our charts has enabled vessels to navigate these busy waterways safely and efficiently, demonstrating the critical role of hydrography in maritime safety.
“Precise charting and mapping facilitate smoother and more economical maritime operations, minimising fuel consumption, reducing emissions, and optimising resource utilisation.”
Olugbode who also doubles as the Hydrographer of the Federation noted that when accurate hydrographic data are used to optimise shipping routes, it reduces transit times and fuel consumption for vessels, low cost for shipping companies and lower prices for consumers.
Such development, according to the Navy, will also preserve the nation’s fragile ecosystems for future generations, protect biodiversity hotspots, provide the vital spatial data needed to manage marine resources, and combat the adverse impacts of climate change on the nation’s coastal environments.