U.S. and Mexico Celebrate World Hydrography Day  

On June 21, the United States and Mexico kicked off this year’s World Hydrography Day on board the Mexican Navy ship RIO TUXPAN. The RIO TUXPAN, formerly the NOAA ship WHITING, was transferred to the Mexican Navy in 2005 to become the nation’s first dedicated hydrographic vessel.

In 2002, the International Hydrographic Organization recognized the need to increase global awareness of the importance of hydrography to the safety of global marine transportation and protection of the marine environment. World Hydrography Day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005. It is celebrated annually on June 21.

U.S. and Mexican officials celebrated their mutual commitment to safe maritime navigation by touring the RIO TUXPAN, which has just been outfitted with state-of-the-art multibeam sonar technology that allow Mexican hydrographers to study the sea floor and use that data to produce nautical charts. Many ships coming to and from the United States pass through Mexico’s territorial waters; therefore, it is crucial that mariners have accurate charts to avoid accidents that could cause harm to human life, the environment, and the economy.

In addition to the ship tour, the Office of Coast Survey (OCS) held a week-long hydrographic technology workshop aboard the RIO TUXPAN. NOAA Corps Officer LT Mark Van Waes led the workshop and provided training to surveyors from Mexico and other Latin American nations.

This U.S./Mexico collaboration was a prime example of this year's World Hydrography Day theme, "Capacity Building." Capacity building encourages nations with established hydrographic agencies to reach out to other nations with limited or no hydrographic abilities.