United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
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Headquarters building |
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1795 |
| Headquarters | Taunton, Somerset |
| Employees | approx 1000 |
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| Parent agency | Ministry of Defence |
| Website | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-hydrographic-office |
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is located in Taunton, Somerset on Admiralty Way and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 staff. The UKHO is the UK's agency providing hydrographic and geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. They are a trading arm of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
They are responsible for operational support to the Royal Navy and other defence customers. Supplying defence and the commercial shipping industry, they help ensure Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS), protect the marine environment and support the efficiency of global trade. Together with other national hydrographic offices and the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), they work to set and raise global standards of hydrography, cartography and navigation.
Their market-leading portfolio of ADMIRALTY Maritime Products & Services is found on over 90% of the world’s ships trading internationally. Relied upon by mariners for over 200 years, their portfolio provides the most comprehensive range of SOLAS-compliant charts, publications and digital services to keep crews, cargo and ships safe.
The Admiralty's first Hydrographer was Alexander Dalrymple, appointed in 1795 on the order of King George III and the existing charts were brought together and catalogued. The first chart Dalrymple published as Hydrographer to the ADMIRALTY brand (of Quiberon Bay in Brittany) did not appear until 1800. He also issued sailing directions and Notices to Mariners (NMs).
Dalrymple was succeeded on his death in 1808 by Captain Thomas Hurd, under whose stewardship the department was given permission to sell charts to the public in 1821.
In 1819 Captain Hurd entered into a bi-lateral agreement with Denmark to exchange charts and publications covering areas of mutual interest. This is thought to be the earliest formal arrangement for the mutual supply of information between the British and any foreign Hydrographic Office. Hurd developed the specialism of Royal Navy hydrographic surveyors. Rear-Admiral Sir W. Edward Parry was appointed Hydrographer in 1823 after his second expedition to discover a Northwest Passage. In 1825 some 736 charts and coastal views were being offered for sale by the Hydrographic Office.
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