OUR STORY Captain John Robins, RAN, is appointed first Hydrographer. A in protest against pay The Hydrographic The Hydrographic Department The first unnumbered Australian chart Lieutenant Karl Oom, RAN, on reductions and poor working Department RAN RAN, is one of the 18 original for navigational use, SY Discovery, completes the first RAN conditions occurs on HMAS Moresby. is established at members at creation of the Roebuck Bay - Inner Anchorage, survey in Antarctica as part of the A Court of Inquiry is held on board Navy Office in International Hydrographic Bureau is published on 1 December 1924. The British, Australian and New Zealand cruiser HMAS Australia at Fremantle Melbourne on (now International Hydrographic chart was based on HMAS Geranium’s Antarctic Research Expedition and 27 punishment warrants are 01 October 1920. Organization) in June 1921. 1922 survey. (BANZARE). recorded in the ship’s log.

HMAS Geranium is commissioned as the first HMAS Moresby (I) is commissioned on 1920 RAN survey ship. 1921 1924 20 June 1925 as the second RAN survey ship. 1930 1934

Despite its small size, Australia’s The Hydrographic Branch RAN, is surveying service is widely recognised designated as the charting authority for its war effort during World War II, for Allied naval forces in the South receiving: The Australian Oceanographic Data West Pacific and is appointed by British • 2 Orders of the The Australian Federal Cabinet makes Centre (AODC) is established as a The concept of Aus Fleet Charts is Admiralty as the sole Chart Agent • 13 Distinguished Service Crosses a decision that the Commonwealth section of the Hydrographic Service implemented on 20 June 1941 with the for the sale of Admiralty Charts and • 4 Distinguished Service Medals Naval Board will be responsible for RAN, to improve the accessibility publication of the first three Australian Hydrographic Publications charts in • 14 Mentioned in Despatches and surveying and charting of Australian of oceanographic data within the navigational charts. Australia. • multiple United States Legion of Merit waters. Australian Defence Force. awards Australian Notice to Mariners (NtM) are HMAS Moresby (II) is commissioned on published for the first time in 1933. 6 March 1964, as Australia’s first purpose-built From 1 January 1937, Australian NtM are RAN survey ship. published on a weekly basis. 1941 1943 1945 1946 1964

The inaugural HydroScheme is published. HydroScheme is the official The Hydrographic Service RAN, plan of hydrographic surveying tasks actively engages in capacity building to be undertaken by the Hydrographic The Autochart System for production of across the South West Pacific region Branch RAN, on behalf of the digitised nautical charts enters service, through personnel postings to the Department of Defence. marking a technological turning point. Solomon Islands and Fiji.

In 1966 the RAN Hydrographic School is HMAS Flinders, commissioned on 27 April HMAS Cook is commissioned on 28 January In 1981, HMAS Flinders, under the command established at HMAS Penguin under CPOSR 1973, is the first RAN ship to enter Darwin of LCDR James Bond, RAN, discovers Petrass as the first instructor in charge of 1980 as the first RAN ship specifically following its destruction by Cyclone Tracy designed for oceanographic duties. ‘Hydrographers Passage’, a deep-water shipping 1965 survey training. in 1974. 1976 1980s channel through the Great Barrier Reef.

The Hydrographic Office Detached Survey Unit (HODSU), which is now The Hydrographic Service RAN, known as the Maritime Geospatial launches its own dedicated web site, Warfare Unit (MGWU), commences Commodore John Leech, RAN, chairs www.hydro.gov.au, to promulgate activities, undertaking operations in the first South West Pacific Regional Australian Notices to Mariners and areas from Antarctica to Timor-Leste Hydrographic Commission meeting, other navigational safety information and throughout the South West Pacific. 19-20 October 1993. and services.

In 1989-1990, four Survey Motor Launches Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) Flight The Australian Hydrographic Office RAN, On 27 May 2000, two hydrographic survey are commissioned into the RAN, HMA Ships is accepted into operational service in the moves into its current home in a purpose- ships are commissioned together into the 1984 Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton and Benalla. 1993 RAN on 8 October 1993. built facility in Wollongong in 1994. 1999 RAN, HMAS Leeuwin and HMAS Melville.

The Navigation Act 2012 (Cth) is The Defence Legislation Amendment Commodore Bluelink is established as a amended, and gives the Australian Bill 2017 is passed and receives Royal Fiona Freeman, partnership between CSIRO, Bureau of Hydrographic Service specific Assent to consolidate the Australian RAN, is HydroScheme Industry Partnership Meteorology and the Royal Australian responsibilities for collecting, Hydrographic Office (a component of appointed as Program (HIPP) commences. HIPP is a Navy, with the goal of developing an disseminating and providing the organisation formerly known as the the first female commercial program that undertakes operational forecasting system for The Australian Hydrographic Service hydrographic services as required by Australian Hydrographic Service) into Hydrographer focused hydrographic survey activities the global ocean circulation around officially launches its own in-house the United Nations Safety of Life at Sea the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence of Australia in to contribute to national charting Australia. Print On Demand (POD) facility. (SOLAS) Convention. Organisation. December 2017. priorities.

Australia is at the leading edge of designing a new gridded layout for ENC cells. Initial ENC coverage of the Australian charting 2003 2010 area is achieved. 2012 2017 2020

Through its people, data, products and services, the Australian Hydrographic Office enables safe navigation in Australian waters, supports Australia’s blue economy, contributes to protecting the marine environment and provides support to Defence.