For a fifth consecutive year, the United Kingdom Hydrographie Office (UKHO) has delivered a successful outcome from its internationally renowned and accredited marine cartography courses to a group of students drawn from seven nations.

Students from the Hydrographie Organisations of Algeria. Bulgaria, Solomon Islands, Sri-Lanka, Thailand. Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan arrived at the UKHO in Taunton, Somerset in September 2013 to undertake the intellectually challenging 15-week programme.

The course provides students with fundamental skills and knowledge to compile and maintain digital and paper navigational charts to the standard required for safety of sea-going navigation.

This was the last course of a five-year commitment in support of the Capacity Building Project of Japan, sponsored by the NIPPON Foundation; a philanthropic organisation that focuses on the maritime industry.

Lynton Greatwood, UKHO’s Cartographic Training and Development Manager, said: The feedback from the course is once again excellent and the students are as always supportive of each other forming a great team. At UKHO we continue to support the development of the capability of sister hydrographie organisations around the world and we are very proud to be associated with this project.”

Captain Jamie McMichael-Phillips Royal Navy, UK Deputy National Hydrographer, said: “They have been dedicated in their learning, and achieved high results and will take this dedication home to their respective organisations to put their learning into practice.”

During the course, students and trainers were honoured to receive a visit from Rear Admiral Mustafa Iptes, Director of the International Hydrographie Bureau (IHB); Mr Yamao, Special Projects Officer for Japan IHB; and Mr Kanazawa, Technical Advisor from the Japan Hydrographie Association, who presented certificates to the students at the successful completion of training.

In addition to completing practical assignments, the students benefited from field trips to the Port Authorities of Bristol and Brixham.

Over the years the Nippon Foundation’s activities have expanded to include such areas as education, social welfare and public health, both within Japan and in more than one hundred countries to date.

The Foundation has also established a Fellowship for students, with the aim of creating an international community. The generosity of the NIPPON Foundation, coupled with the collaboration between UKHO, Japanese partners and the support of the IHB have made it possible for the UKHO to deliver the course successfully.

Press Release, January 31, 2014; Image: UKHO