Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service is the agency of the Australian Commonwealth Government responsible for the mapping and surveying of undersea terrain and irregularities on and under the water's surface (known collectively as hydrography). It is primarily operated by the Royal Australian Navy, and makes up one of the RAN's seven Force Element Groups. The agency serves both military and civilian functions, and in latter instances is known as the Australian Hydrographic Service (commonly abbreviated as AHS).
The Hydrographic Service is responsible for charting over one-eighth of the world's surface, bordered by Cocos Island to the west, the Solomon Islands to the east, the Equator to the north, and Antarctica to the south.[1]
[edit] History
From the time hydrographic surveying begain in Australia until 1942, it was administered by the British Admiralty Hydrographic Office (later the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office). The RAN took over the role of hydrographic surveying in 1920, and responsibility for the publication of charts in 1942.
In 1946, the Australian Cabinet instructed the Commonwealth Naval Board that it was to take control of all aspects of hydrography in relation to Australia.
[edit] Units
As of 2007, the following units and equipment are assigned to the Hydrographic Service:[2]
- The Australian Hydrographic Office, located in Wollongong, New South Wales. Was opened in 1994, and has a staff of 120 mixed civilian and military personnel.
- Two Leeuwin class survey vessels
- Four Paluma class motor launches
- HMAS Paluma (A 01)
- HMAS Mermaid (A 02)
- HMAS Shepparton (A 03)
- HMAS Benalla (A 04)
- One LADS-equipped Fokker F27
[edit] References
- Australian Hydrographic Service. AHS website (and subpages). Commonwealth of Australia / Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
- Force Element Groups - Hydrographic Force. RAN website (and subpages). Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
- ^ Survey Vessels. RAN website. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
- ^ Ships & Units. Australian Hydrographic Service website (and subpages). Commonwealth of Australia / Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
