IHO conference elects new offocials

Captain Robert Ward, former Deputy Hydrographer of Australia, has been elected President of the Directing Committee of the International Hydrographic Organization’s Bureau, the Monaco based intergovernmental agency representing 80 member countries.

Other Committee officials elected during the IHO’s XVIIIth international hydrographic conference towards the end of April were Engineer-General Gilles Bessero of France and Rear Admiral Mustafa Iptes, Hydrographer of Turkey. All will assume office from 1 September until 31 August 2017.

The main conference issues covered at Monaco’s Prince Rainier Auditorium included capacity building and the continuing lack of hydrographic data in several world areas as well as incomplete coverage of ENCs. Among more contentious topics discussed was the continuing dispute concerning re-naming of the Sea of Japan demanded by North and South Korea.