Opinion piece published under IHR 25

The May 2021 edition of the International Hydrographic Review (IHR) is a testament to the ever-growing knowledge and skill in the hydrographic community. As the official publication of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), this edition reflects the organisation's commitment to promoting uniformity in nautical charts and hydrographic surveying worldwide.

Established in 1921, the IHO was born out of a need for international coordination in hydrographic surveying due to increasing global navigation and the complexity of nautical charts. The organisation's inception was the result of extensive international cooperation among maritime nations, building on centuries of evolving naval surveys.

In this edition, Rear Admiral Shephard Smith, the outgoing Chair of the IHO Council, provides a firsthand account of the Council's first 3 years. The articles included in this edition highlight the constant drive of today's hydrographers and cartographers to improve data, as demonstrated by an article discussing a quantitative method to assess hydrographic data and nautical chart information over time.

The IHO is addressing the large gender imbalance in hydrography with an approved project, as highlighted in another article. The edition also includes three obituaries for Sean Hinds, Etienne Cailliau, and Rick Brennan, who have all made significant contributions to the field.

The IHR is also celebrating 100 years of the IHO and the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The edition contains a wide range of relevant and reflective articles on hydrographic topics, including a mechanism for evaluating Volunteered Bathymetric Information.

Submissions for articles for the November 2021 edition of the International Hydrographic Review are being accepted until July 31, 2021. If you have a story to tell or an insight to share about hydrography, this is your chance to contribute to the global conversation. The deadline for submitting articles is a specific date: July 31, 2021.

The IHR is edited by Brian Connon, and it's a great time to be a hydrographer, as evidenced by the content in the May 2021 edition of the International Hydrographic Review. The IHO continues to expand its role, now maintaining standards for nautical charts and hydrographic data globally, greatly improving maritime safety.

[1] For more detailed background on the establishment of the IHO, please refer to the reprint of the first IHR article, "HISTORY of the INCEPTION of the I.H.B." in this edition.

[Bathymetric Compilation and Multibeam Sonar Systems]

Another article in this edition analyses the bathymetric compilation process, particularly with multibeam sonar systems. The article discusses the advantages and challenges of using multibeam sonar systems in hydrographic surveys, as well as their impact on the accuracy and efficiency of bathymetric data collection. The article also provides insights into the future of bathymetric surveys, with a focus on the integration of new technologies and techniques to improve data quality and reduce costs.

[Obituaries]

The May 2021 edition of the International Hydrographic Review also includes three obituaries for Sean Hinds, Etienne Cailliau, and Rick Brennan. Sean Hinds was a pioneer in the field of hydrographic surveying, making significant contributions to the development of multibeam sonar technology. Etienne Cailliau was a leading expert in the field of hydrographic data analysis and modelling, and Rick Brennan was a renowned hydrographer and cartographer, with a career spanning over four decades. These obituaries provide a fitting tribute to the lives and legacies of these three extraordinary individuals.

[Editor's Note]

The IHO is an organisation that continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the global maritime community. With the appointment of Dr. Geneviève Béchard as the new Chair of the IHO Council, the organisation is poised to continue its mission of promoting uniformity in nautical charts and hydrographic surveying worldwide. The IHR is an essential part of this mission, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and best practices in the field of hydrography.

The IHR is accepting submissions for the November 2021 edition, so if you have a story to tell or an insight to share about hydrography, we encourage you to submit your article. The deadline for submitting articles is July 31, 2021. We look forward to reading your contributions and continuing to celebrate the ever-growing knowledge and skill in the hydrographic community.

The May 2021 edition of the International Hydrographic Review (IHR) features an article discussing the bathymetric compilation process, emphasizing the use of multibeam sonar systems and their impact on the accuracy and efficiency of data collection.
An article in the same edition also touches upon the IHO's commitment to addressing the gender imbalance in hydrography, as exemplified by an approved project to encourage more women to participate in the field.
As a testament to the importance of education-and-self-development in the hydrographic community, the IHR's articles reflect a constant pursuit of knowledge, with a piece discussing a quantitative method to assess hydrographic data over time.
In the realm of science, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise, the IHO's influence extends beyond nautical charts, impacting the safety of navigation on a global scale, thanks to its role in maintaining standards for nautical charts and hydrographic data worldwide.