The Kingdom has already taken steps to train hydrographers by setting up a general commission to build data while also carrying out careful recruitment with aptitude for the arduous and precision tasks needed in hydrography. The Kingdom has also created a very dedicated training program as per International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards with qualified and experienced trainers.

The Saudi Cabinet resolution No. 8 dated 14/01/1427H placed “hydrography” service under the newly established “General Commission for Survey (GCS).” In addition, the Cabinet decree No. 388 dated 30/12/1432H has entrusted the “national spatial data infrastructure” under the GCS. Both the decisions are in the right direction to witness vast development activities in a progressive state, with seamless database for “mapping from the mountains to the deep seas.”

10 new recruits are already undergoing state-of-the-art training in nautical cartography, which will enable the nation to translate the voluminous field survey data into user-friendly nautical products and services.

With the GCS set up at Jeddah, training of 12 recruits in hydrography will commence in September 2011, along with requisite assets. These specialized trained Saudi personnel will be empowered to collect vast amount of marine data within Saudi marine areas, process and convert them into user-oriented and value-added nautical products and services for use by over 30 stake holders at the national level and give a fillip to the offshore developmental activities.

Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their change over time, for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and in support of all other marine activities, including economic development, security and defense, scientific research, and environmental protection.

The World Hydrographic Day is celebrated on June 21 each year to commemorate the establishment of the IHO at Monaco in 1921 by Prince Albert, an ardent oceanographer. IHO is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization and is recognized as a competent international authority on hydrography and nautical charting services and executed through more than 25 strict standards by the 80 member states, thus ensuring orderliness in sea mapping and related subjects.

GCS was started in right earnestness by the authorities by having clear vision, goals, planned programs and ability to reach out to the end users. Strategic plans have been put in thought and action to be a cohesive and responsive organization.

Hydrography has been given the commitment from the top management to carry out 3D surveys and capacity building in the form of own assets and trained manpower.

Considering the 4,000-kilometer long coastline and nearly half a million square kilometers of juridical marine areas, GCS has plans to induct more Hydrographic Survey Launches (HSL) & Lidar with associated modern equipment and systems to complete the full coverage within ten years, especially since most of the existing charts' information is based data that is more than 50 years old.

Besides the HSLs/Lidar with state-of-the-art equipment and systems, human resources development has been given a high priority.

Hydrography impinges on every activity at sea, the most important being provision of nautical charts and publications for worldwide navigational safety with 24X7 updating service under the IMO /IHO/UN conventions.