Blog
Nov 16, 2020
HOW AND WHERE TO FIND ROBINSON CRUSOE ISLAND
Juan Fernandez Archipelago revisited 300 years after Alexander Selkirk’s adventures For those of you with a spirit of adventure who long to travel to far flung places beyond the familiar hot spots, who want to get away from it all and experience the excitement of exploring those less familiar and remote destinations and who may
May 13, 2020
A RISING STAR IN THE NORTH – PORT OF KAIPEDA
Klaipeda is the largest port town in Lithuania, one of the major harbours in the region and has in recent
years become the largest port by turnover, and the northernmost ice-free port in the Baltics. The seaport handled 46.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2019 and is preparing for a major expansion during the next five years.
May 9, 2018
LOST AT SEA
The shipping industry is in troubled waters, with sinking still surprisingly common. On average of 119 ships have been lost on the high seas each year over the past decade for a variety of reasons, according to insurance firm Allianz. Based on 2014 survey results the World Shipping Council estimates that there were approximately 733
Sep 21, 2017
LIST OF LIGHTS AND FOG SIGNALS – ADMIRALTY PUBLICATION
The Lists of Lights publications of every maritime nation are issued by the nation’s Hydrographic Organisation and are updated up to the latest version of the Monthly Notices to Mariners. Typically, the UK Admiralty Lists of Lights and Fog Signals include a coverage of over 85,000 light structures: lighthouses, lit float marks, fog signals and
Jul 20, 2017
NAUTICAL CHART LIGHTS DEPICTION- INTRODUCTION
Since the incorporation of the Royal Charter in 1514, the seaman welfare has been placed at the forefront of the safety at sea. The correct depiction of Lighthouses, beacons and related aids to navigation, regulating initially the pilotage of the River Thames became the prime responsibility of Trinity House with its statutory duty as a
May 24, 2017
CAPTAIN GEORGE H. RICHARDS – THE SIXTH HYDROGRAPHER
1864 – 1874 At the death of Rear Admiral Washington, the Hydrographer in 1863, the names of Captains Spratt and Richards were before the Board of Admiralty for the position of Hydrographer, the latter officer being the one selected. Due to bad health and having suffered very much from illness at Macao Captain Richards had
Mar 17, 2017
JOHN WASHINGTON – HYDROGRAPHER AND FOUNDER OF THE LONDON GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
1855 – 1863 Captain John Washington succeeded Beaufort as Hydrographer. He had been actively employed in the hydrographic service since 1841. He had recently, just before the outbreak of the war, visited Denmark, Sweden and Russia ostensibly in connection with the Lifeboat Service, but had taken the opportunity to gather intelligence about the Russian Baltic
Jan 24, 2017
RЕАR ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS BEAUFORT
1829-1855 Francis Beaufort, Parry’s successor, was certainly the longest-serving, and probably the greatest, of all the Hydrographers to date. When he was appointed in May 1829 he already had twenty-five years of sea service behind him. Beaufort’s authority was increased by two moves early in his time as Hydrographer. In 1831 a Scientific Branch of
Dec 20, 2016
21ST CENTURY NAVIGATION WITH ECDIS
The modern, 21st century chart, known now as the ENC (Electronic Navigation Chart) is constantly visualized and updated during both, long sea voyages and port manoeuvres on the 19-inch monitor of the ship’s main computer. Oil tankers, container ships, naval vessels, passenger cruisers or luxurious super yachts – all by IMO’s (International Maritime Organisation) law
Nov 28, 2016
SIR WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY – THE THIRD HYDROGRAPHER
1823-1829 W. E. Parry was appointed Hydrographer on the 1st of December 1823, some months later after Hurd’s death. He was already a noted Arctic explorer. He pioneered the practice of wintering in ice, successfully keeping his crews’ morale and physique up during the long night of inactivity with entertainments and instructions. In October 1823