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'{{Infobox Government agency |agency_name = United Kingdom Hydrographic Office |nativename = |nativename_a = |nativename_r = |logo = UK Hydrographic Office logo.png |logo_width = 250px |logo_caption = |seal = |seal_width = |seal_caption = | picture_width = | picture_caption = |formed = 1795 |preceding1 = |preceding2 = |dissolved = |superseding = |jurisdiction = |headquarters = [[Taunton]], [[Somerset]] |employees = approx 900 |budget = |minister1_name = [[Frederick Curzon, 7th Earl Howe|The 7th Earl Howe]] |minister1_pfo = |minister2_name = |minister2_pfo = |chief1_name = [[Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]] Tim Lowe (acting) |chief1_position = Chief Executive |chief2_name = [[Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]] Peter Sparkes |chief2_position = National Hydrographer and Deputy Chief Executive |parent_agency = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] |child1_agency = |child2_agency = |website = https://www.gov.uk/ukho |footnotes = }} The '''United Kingdom Hydrographic Office''' ('''UKHO''') is the UK's agency for providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. The UKHO is a trading fund of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) and is located in [[Taunton]], [[Somerset]], with a workforce of approximately 900 staff. The UKHO is responsible for operational support to the Royal Navy and other defence customers. Supplying defence and the commercial shipping industry, they help ensure [[SOLAS Convention|Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS),]] protect the marine environment and support the efficiency of global trade. Together with other national hydrographic offices and the [[International Hydrographic Organization|International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)]], the UKHO works to set and raise global standards of hydrography, cartography and navigation. The UKHO also produces a commercial portfolio of [[Admiralty chart|ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions]], providing SOLAS-compliant charts, publications and digital services for ships trading internationally. Colin Dunstan Pedofili punon këtu. ==History== ===Establishment and early operation=== [[File:Alexander Dalrymple AGE V07 1801.jpg|thumb|[[Alexander Dalrymple]], engraving by Conrad Westermayr.]] The [[Admiralty]]'s first [[Hydrographer of the Navy|Hydrographer]] was [[Alexander Dalrymple]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Dalrymple, Alexander (1737–1808)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dalrymple-alexander-1949|publisher=Australian Dictionary of National Biography|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref> appointed in 1795 on the order of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] and the existing charts were brought together and catalogued. The first chart Dalrymple published as Hydrographer to the Admiralty (of [[Quiberon Bay]] in [[Brittany]]) did not appear until 1800.<ref>{{cite web|title=Admiralty Charts of Scottish coasts, 1795-1963|url=http://maps.nls.uk/coasts/admiralty_charts_info.html|publisher=National Library of Scotland|accessdate=28 December 2017}}</ref> He also issued [[Sailing Directions]] and [[Notice to mariners|Notices to Mariners (NMs)]]. Dalrymple was succeeded on his death in 1808 by Captain [[Thomas Hurd]], under whose stewardship the department was given permission to sell charts to the public in 1821.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hardisty|first=Jack|title=Estuaries: Monitoring and Modeling the Physical System|year=2008|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9781405172325|pages=41–42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ep_tRRGWniQC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Admiralty+chart+Quiberon+Bay+1800#v=onepage&q=Admiralty%20chart%20Quiberon%20Bay%201800&f=false}}</ref> In 1819 Captain Hurd entered into a bi-lateral agreement with Denmark to exchange charts and publications covering areas of mutual interest. This is thought to be the earliest formal arrangement for the mutual supply of information between the British and any foreign Hydrographic Office.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Webb|first=Adrian|title=Foundations for "International cooperation in the field of hydrography": some Contributions by British Admiralty Hydrographers, 1795-1855|journal=The International Hydrographic Review|date= November 2010|volume=4|pages=7–15|url=http://www.iho.int/mtg_docs/IHReview/2010/IHB_Review_finalNov10.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> Hurd developed the specialism of Royal Navy hydrographic surveyors. Rear-Admiral [[William Parry (explorer)|Sir W. Edward Parry]] was appointed Hydrographer in 1823 after his second expedition to discover a [[Northwest Passage]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Webb|first=Adrian|title=The Expansion of British Naval Hydrographic Administration, 1808-1829|url=https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10036/116990/WebbA_fm.pdf?sequence=3|format=PDF|work=PhD Thesis|publisher=University of Exeter|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=16686 |title=Hydrographer 1795-1870 |author=J.C. Sainty |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |date=1975 |work=Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 4: Admiralty Officials 1660-1870 |accessdate=12 January 2014 }}</ref> In 1825 some 736 charts and coastal views were being offered for sale by the Hydrographic Office. ===Explorations=== [[File:HMS challenger William Frederick Mitchell.jpg|thumb|left|[[HMS Challenger (1858)|HMS ''Challenger'']] by [[William Frederick Mitchell]]]] In 1828 Captain Parry and the Royal Society organised a scientific voyage to the [[Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic]], in collaboration with the Hydrographers of France and Spain, using [[HMS Chanticleer (1808)|HMS Chanticleer]].<ref name="NMM-WH-382156"> {{cite web|url=http://www.nmm.ac.uk/upload/pdf/Warship_Histories_Vessels_v.pdf|format=PDF|title=NMM, vessel ID 382156|work=Warship Histories, vol v|publisher=[[National Maritime Museum]]|accessdate=12 January 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110802041628/http://www.nmm.ac.uk/upload/pdf/Warship_Histories_Vessels_v.pdf|archivedate=2 August 2011}}</ref> In 1829, at the age of 55, Rear-Admiral [[Francis Beaufort|Sir Francis Beaufort]] became Hydrographer. During his time as Hydrographer, he developed the eponymous [[Beaufort scale|Scale]], saw the introduction of official [[tide table]]s in 1833 and instigated various surveys and expeditions. Several of these were by ''[[HMS Beagle]]'', including one to [[Tierra del Fuego]] and [[Patagonia]] in 1826. In 1831 Captain Beaufort informed [[Robert FitzRoy|Captain FitzRoy]] that he had found a [[:wikt:savant|savant]] for the latter's surveying voyage to South America, [[Charles Darwin]]. After completing extensive surveys in [[South America]] he returned to [[Falmouth, Cornwall]] via [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]] in 1836.<ref>{{cite web|title=FitzRoy, R. 1839. Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle between the years 1826 and 1836, describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagle's circumnavigation of the globe. Proceedings of the second expedition, 1831-36, under the command of Captain Robert Fitz-Roy, R.N. London: Henry Colburn.|url=http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=F10.2&pageseq=757|publisher=Darwin Online|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref> By the time of Beaufort's retirement in 1855, the Chart Catalogue listed 1,981 charts and 64,000 copies of them had been issued to the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukho.gov.uk/corp/History.asp |title=Charting the world for over 200 years |publisher=UKHO |work=www.ukho.gov.uk |accessdate=15 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925132626/http://www.ukho.gov.uk/corp/History.asp |archivedate=25 September 2006 }}</ref> In the 1870s, the Royal Naval Surveying Service supported the [[Challenger expedition]], a scientific exercise that made many discoveries, laying the foundation of [[oceanography]]. The cruise was named after the mother vessel, [[HMS Challenger (1858)|HMS ''Challenger'']]. On her {{convert|68890|nmi|km|adj=on}} circumnavigation of the globe,<ref name="Rice">{{cite book|last=Rice|first=A.L.|title=Understanding the Oceans: Marine Science in the Wake of HMS Challenger|publisher=Routledge|year=1999|pages=27–48|chapter=The Challenger Expedition|isbn=978-1-85728-705-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F5agn3NSzEoC&pg=PA27}}</ref> 492&nbsp;deep sea soundings, 133&nbsp;bottom dredges, 151&nbsp;open water trawls and 263&nbsp;serial water temperature observations were taken.<ref>''Oceanography: an introduction to the marine environment'' (Peter K. Weyl, 1970), p.49</ref> The Challenger crew used a method of observation developed in earlier small-scale expeditions. To measure depth, the crew would lower a line with a weight attached to it until it reached the sea floor. The line was marked in 25 fathom intervals with flags denoting depth. Because of this, the depth measurements from the Challenger were at best accurate to 25 fathoms (150 feet), or about 46 metres.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Science: sounding|url=http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Education/Learning_Resources/Challenger/science2a.php|website=HMS Challenger|publisher=Birch Aquarium at Scripps|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928052528/http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/Education/Learning_Resources/Challenger/science2a.php|archivedate=2012-09-28}}</ref> As the first true oceanographic cruise, the ''Challenger'' expedition established an entire academic and research discipline.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web | url=http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03mountains/background/challenger/challenger.html |title=Then and Now: The HMS Challenger Expedition and the 'Mountains in the Sea' Expedition |publisher=Ocean Explorer|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref> During the late 19th century, the UKHO took part in several international conferences, including the [[International Meridian Conference]] to determine a [[prime meridian]] for international use and other conferences working towards the establishment of a permanent international commission concerning hydrographic matters. [[Hydrographer of the Navy|Hydrographers to the Admiralty Board]] during this period included: Rear-Admiral [[John Washington (Royal Navy officer)|John Washington]], Rear-Admiral [[George Henry Richards]], Captain [[Frederick John Owen Evans|Sir Frederick J O Evans]] and Rear-Admiral [[William Wharton (hydrographer)|Sir William J L Wharton]]. ===20th century=== [[File:NimrodDepartingToSouthPole1907.jpg|thumb|alt= A three-masted ship with sails furled, short funnel amidships, flag flying from the stern on left of picture. Two small boats are close by, and a larger vessel decked with bunting is visible in the background.|The expedition's ship ''Nimrod'' departing for the South Pole]] During Rear-Admiral A Mostyn Field's term as Hydrographer to the Admiralty Board, the Hydrographic Office lent instruments to the [[Nimrod Expedition]] of the British Antarctic Expedition led by [[Ernest Shackleton]] in 1907. Following the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] in 1912, the [[SOLAS Convention|Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention]] was established, as well as the introduction of ice reporting and forecasting. During [[World War I]], while Rear-Admiral Sir John F Parry was Hydrographer of the Navy, the Hydrographic Office produced numerous new charts and products to support the Royal Navy. Following the war, the First International Hydrographic Conference was held in London. It led to the establishment in 1921 of the [[International Hydrographic Organization]]. In the 1930s, the systematic and regular collection of oceanographic and naval meteorological data started. In the [[Second World War]], while led by Vice-Admiral Sir John A Edgell, chart printing moved to Creechbarrow House in [[Taunton]] in June 1941. This was the first purpose-built chart making factory, and was designed by the Chief Draughtsman, Mr Jowsey. In 1968, compilation staff were transferred from Cricklewood to Taunton, thus bringing together the main elements of the Hydrographic Office. A purpose-built office, named after Alexander Dalrymple, was opened. Metrication and computerisation of charts began in the later 1960s and early 1970s under the leadership of Rear-Admiral [[Edmund George Irving|Sir Edmund G Irving]] (1960–1966), Rear-Admiral [[George Stephen Ritchie]] (1966–1971), Rear-Admiral Geoffrey P D Hall (1971&nbsp;–1975) and Rear-Admiral [[David Haslam (Royal Navy officer)|Sir David W Haslam]] (1975&nbsp;–1985). For centuries, data was mainly collected using ordinary Royal Navy ships. In 1953, the first purpose-built [[List of survey vessels of the Royal Navy|survey vessel]] was launched: {{HMS|Vidal}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukho.gov.uk/content/corpAttachments/Time%20Line%20Panel_1.pdf |format=PDF |title=Timeline of the UKHO |publisher=UKHO |work=www.ukho.gov.uk |accessdate=15 November 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329154923/http://www.ukho.gov.uk/content/corpAttachments/Time%20Line%20Panel_1.pdf |archivedate=29 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With the use of the [[echo sounder]] and other electronic equipment in the 20th century, there was a big increase in the quantity and quality of the data collected. The technology used to collect data also improved with the first commercial use of [[Multibeam echosounder|multibeam survey]] technology in 1977; [[HMS Bulldog (A317)|HMS ''Bulldog'']] undertook the first [[side-scan sonar]] of Mount's Bay, Cornwall, in 1987. The work has since been continued by the [[Bulldog-class survey vessel]]s which form the "Hydrographic Squadron". In 1994, the Hydrographer of the Navy also became the Chief Executive of UKHO and the post was held by Rear-Admiral [[Nigel Essenhigh|Nigel R Essenhigh]], (1994–1996) and Rear-Admiral John P Clarke (1996–2001). ==Currently== [[File:enc.jpg|thumb|left|An example of an Electronic Navigational Chart (NOAA)]] The UKHO continues to serve the [[Royal Navy]] as its prime customer by supplying hydrographic and geospatial data. The UKHO's products and services are sold to merchant mariners and leisure users through its commercial portfolio of ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-hydrographic-office/about.aspx|title=About Us|work=|accessdate=24 January 2018|date=|publisher=United Kingdom Hydrographic Office}}</ref>. In addition to traditional paper nautical charts and publications, the ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions range has expanded to include a number of digital products and services. In 1996, the UKHO developed [[Admiralty Raster Chart Service|ADMIRALTY Raster Chart Service]], a raster navigational chart service for [[Electronic Chart Display and Information System]]. This was followed in 2008 by ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service, offering 15,750 fully vectorised [[Electronic navigational chart|Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)]]. The UKHO produces over 200 nautical publications, which are available as ADMIRALTY e-Nautical Publications or in the ADMIRALTY Digital Publications suite. Notable publications include [[Sailing Directions|ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions (Pilots)]], [[Tide table|ADMIRALTY Tide Tables]], ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals, [[List of lights|ADMIRALTY List of Lights and Fog Signals]] and the Mariner’s Handbook<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.admiralty.co.uk/publications|title=ADMIRALTY Publications|work=|accessdate=24 January 2018|date=|publisher=United Kingdom Hydrographic Office}}</ref>. The UKHO also offers astronomical publications from [[HM Nautical Almanac Office]], including the [[Nautical Almanac]] and The Astronomical Almanac, among others<ref>{{cite web|url=http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/nao/publicat|title=HM Nautical Almanac Office Publications|work=|accessdate=24 January 2018|date=|publisher=United Kingdom Hydrographic Office}}</ref>. Today, the UKHO has expertise in areas such as bathymetry, oceanography, geodesy and data science. It provides advice on technical aspects of [[Law of the Sea]], specialising in [[Maritime boundaries|maritime limits and boundaries]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-maritime-limits-and-law-of-the-sea|title=UK Maritime Limits and Law of the Sea|work=|accessdate=24 January 2018|date=|publisher=United Kingdom Hydrographic Office}}</ref>. It also delivers a range of cartographic and ENC training programmes delivered internationally to develop the core skills of marine cartography. Since 2015, the UKHO has supported the delivery of the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme in partnership [[Cefas]] and [[National Oceanography Centre|NOC]], a programme enabling [[Small Island Developing States|Small Island Developing States (SIDS)]] to sustainably develop their marine economies<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/commonwealth-marine-economies-programme|title=Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme|work=|accessdate=24 January 2018|date=|publisher=gov.uk}}</ref>. [[File:Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals vol H.jpg|thumb|283x283px|ADMIRALTY List of Lights & Fog Signals vol. H: Northern and Eastern Coasts of Canada]] ==Access to data== The UKHO is the government department responsible for charting the seas. It is part of the Ministry Of Defence, and operates as a [[trading fund]], enabling it to be self-funding through sale of products and licensing of data. The UKHO sources much of its information from foreign governments to whom it pays royalty fees funded by the profits it makes. The UKHO grants six different licences, according to the use of the product. Whilst it generally allows use for non-navigational, non-commercial or low value purposes free of charge (over 80% of licences), where licensing is for use in a commercial product, a licence fee is charged. The UKHO is committed to the Information Fair Traders Scheme<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ukho.gov.uk/copyright/docs/fair%20trading%20info.pdf |title=Information Fair Traders Scheme|publisher=UKHO|accessdate=12 January 2014|format=PDF}}</ref> and makes available for reuse those data that are collected as part of its Public Task,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukho.gov.uk/AboutUs/Documents/UKHO-Public-Task.pdf|title=Public Task|publisher=UKHO|accessdate=12 January 2014|format=PDF|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112134240/http://www.ukho.gov.uk/AboutUs/Documents/UKHO-Public-Task.pdf|archivedate=12 January 2014}}</ref> which do not include third party Intellectual Property Rights. In the Information Fair Trader Scheme Report on the UKHO in April 2011<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/information-management/ukho-ifts-report-2011.pdf |title=Information Fair Trader Scheme Report on the UKHO |publisher=National Archives|format=PDF|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref> it states that the UKHO data will not be included in the [[Public Data Corporation]] to make government owned data more freely available, but it does recommend that the "UKHO should consider the introduction of a Free Navigational Licence" for non-commercial or low value use, consistent with its treatment of non-navigational use. ==See also== * [[Admiralty chart]] * [[Australian Pilot]] * [[Hydrographic office]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-hydrographic-office The official UKHO website] {{United Kingdom Ministry of Defence}} {{Admiralty Department|state=collapsed}} [[Category:Executive agencies of the United Kingdom government]] [[Category:Trading funds of the United Kingdom government]] [[Category:National hydrographic offices]] [[Category:Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]] [[Category:Organisations based in Taunton]] [[Category:Maritime organizations]] [[Category:1795 establishments in Great Britain]]'