Wollongong hosts major hydrography conference

STANDING L to R: SBLT Taniela Tuita (Tongan Defence Services), Mr. Chris Pink (UKHO & IMO), CAPT Mike Barritt (IHB), Dr Peter Wright (UKHO), Mr. Pekou Chakumai (PNG), CMDR Nick Lemon (AMSA), Mr. Phil Hill (Fiji), CMDR Robert Ward, (AHO), SWPHC Secretary Mr Jasbir Randhawa (AHO), Mr. Jerome Paillet (France), and Ms Heather Macfarlane (New Zealand) SEATED: RADM Kenneth Barbor (IMB), SWPHC Chair CAPT Bruce Kafer, and Mr. John Spittal (New Zealand)

By LCDR John Sperring
The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) hosted the fifth conference of the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) at its Wollongong office in April this year.

Eleven Commission members representing the nations of Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia attended the meeting.

In addition representatives of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) were present as observers. The SWPHC is a regional hydrographic commission of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), based in Monaco.

The meeting achieved its objectives, which were largely based on enhancing the capacity of the smaller regional nations of the South-West Pacific to undertake surveying and charting.

Australia, under the leadership of the Hydrographer of Australia, CAPT Bruce Kafer continues working on strategies to boost the profile of hydrography in the South West Pacific region. Australia relinquishes its position as Chair of the commission in August this year.

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