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About the conference
The Challenger expedition was a scientific voyage, and set the foundations of oceanographic study. This year is the 150th celebration of HMS Challenger's trip, and the Challenger 150: The Challenger Society Conference 2022 marks the occasion.
Setting foundations for autonomous vessels
Navigation has made significant advances over the last few decades and shipping now stands on the cusp of the next step in its digital journey: autonomous vessels. But, how can such vessels begin to navigate safely without a full crew on board?
UKHO Archives
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Archive represents one of the most complete maritime collections of its type in the world.
The UKHO was founded in 1795 by an order in council under the auspices of King George the Third. Its first Hydrographer was Alexander Dalrymple F.R.S. who was based in the Admiralty in London.
Today, the UKHO Archive contains hundreds of thousands of hydrographic and navigational documents, some dating from the 17th century. Some of our treasured items include a chart of Portsmouth, UK from the 1620s, the first government sponsored hydrographic survey of Great Britain, surveys by Captain James Cook and records relating to HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin.
Driving maritime trade and growth in Cayman Islands
The UKHO has completed a seabed mapping survey for the Cayman Islands, uncovering information about the depth and nature of the seabed and its ecosystems. The data from the survey was presented to the islands’ government at an official handover.
The way we manage the world’s oceans is evolving, driving autonomy, connectivity and smarter use. This will be regulated by a new generation of data standards - unlocking a wide range of benefits, from supporting safety and efficiency to protecting the marine environment.