Hydrography

Hydrography is broadly defined as "the measurement and description of the features of the sea and coastal areas for the primary purpose of navigation and all other marine purposes and activities".  

The MCA has overall responsibility for the UK's hydrographic obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), but works in close partnership with the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to ensure that these obligations are met.  Certain hydrographic functions, however, are undertaken directly by the MCA (for example, performing hydrographic surveys under the "Civil Hydrography Programme").

The Civil Hydrography Programme		Find out how the MCA systematically surveys the waters around the UK.
Survey Specifications		Download current and previous survey specifications, together with graphics showing the survey areas.
Survey Data Availability		Find out what seabed survey data is available and how to obtain it.
How to Share Your Data		If you are considering performing a hydrographic survey and are willing to share the data with us, we can ensure that it is used for compiling new or updated nautical charts and so help improve safety for mariners
How to Propose a Hydrographic Survey		Let us know about an area you think may require surveying.
Interesting Miscellany		Look at some of the things we find on the seabed.
Survey Results		Use "Google Earth" to view the seabed that the MCA has surveyed.
Hydrographic Guidelines for Offshore Developers		Find out about hydrographic surveys which the MCA require from certain offshore developers
Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey Project		Details of our EU funded collaborative project with the Marine Institute of Ireland
Committee on Shipping Hydrography Seminar 2008		Papers and Presentations from the Committee on Shipping Hydrography seminar held on the 27th February 2008 at ABP cruise terminal, dock gate 10.