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Sri Lanka Navy Journal 32

RELEVANCE OF HYDROGRAPHY TO A NATION

Lieutenant Commander (H) MDS Hemachandra, RSP

“According to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) hydrography
is defined as the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and
description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers,
as well as with the prediction of their change over time, for the primary purpose of
safety of navigation and in support of all other marine activities, including economic
development, security and defence, scientific research, and environmental protection
(IHO, 2016).”

Introduction

he seas have been the arteries of trade, transport and conquest for man from the
day the human first fashion the craft to sail. Thereby, the sea chart became the
Tindispensable tool, which was converted from an aesthetic guide to a precise record
for safe and timely navigation. The Italian merchant-venturers of the early thirteenth century
developed the earliest “portolan” pilot charts of the Mediterranean. The subsequent speed
of exploration by European seafarers to the New World, around the Cape of Good Hope,
and on trade routes to the East, India, and the Spice Islands were results of the development
of the sea chart. By the eighteenth century, the discovery and charting of the coasts and
oceans of the globe had become a strategic naval and commercial requirement.

Preparation of a sea chart was only needed some skills in surveying and hydrography
during that era but today nearly every activity that human carries out in, on or under the sea
is essentially required to have a comprehensive knowledge on the subject to meet the end
user’s aspirations. Knowingly or unknowingly, hydrographic data is being used by many
people who are connected with the sea. They require this information to know the nature
of sea floor, its characteristics and hazardous situations. Therefore, today hydrography is
heavily involves in the following disciplines.

• Safe navigation of ships.
• Building of ports and harbours.
• Development of coastal infrastructure.
• Implementation of marine environmental plans.
• Coastal and island defence.
• Marine rescue operations
• Development of undulation models of the ocean.
• Delimitation and enforcement of maritime boundary.