NIGERRIAN NAVY HYDROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT INPUT FOR NN OFFICIAL WEBSITE

HISTORY

1.      Prior to independence, the role of hydrographic surveying in Nigerian waters was an exclusive preserve of the Admiralty.  Borne out of the desire to pursue her mercantile interests in the country, Great Britain has surveyed and published charts for Nigerian Waters from the early 19th Century.   The history of hydrographic practice in the NN is therefore inseparably linked to Colonial British imperial maritime interest.   However the Nigerian Navy, Ordinance of 1956 which established the Nigerian Naval Force made hydrographic surveys as one of its primary roles to the extent that the Government of the Federation may require. 

2.      To give effect to this role, a survey ship PATHFINDER and a survey launch, the PENELOPE were acquire to form the nuclear of the Nigerian Naval Force.   The Nigerian Navy Act (1964), the Armed Forces decree 108 of 1993 and the Armed Forces Act have expanded the 1956 Ordinance by conferring on the NN the authority to conduct hydrographic surveys, publish nautical charts and coordinate all national hydrographic surveys.

3.      In accordance with these expanded roles, the NN, since early 1970’s made significant attempt to build the necessary capacity for hydrography.   This effort led to the then Lt Cdr MAB Elegbede being appointed the first Hydrographer of the NN on 21 November, 1973. Subsequently, a team of expatriate officers from Indian Navy led by then Cdr PP Nandi was seconded to the Hydrographic Department on 12 November 1975.  The need to develop the human resource aspect of the NN Hydrographic Department, led to the establishment of the NN Hydrographic School in 1981 for the training of Survey Recorders. Hydrographic personnel were also trained in various countries such as the UK, India, Australia, US and Italy.  NNS LANA, an ocean survey vessel was acquired in 1976.  The first Commanding Officer of the Ship was the then Lt Cdr Nesiama.

ROLES AND ORGANISATION

4.      The Armed Forces Act CAP A20 (as amended)   charge the NN with the making of charts and coordination of all national hydrographic surveys.   This provision assigns the responsibility for carrying out hydrographic surveying of the entire coastline of Nigeria, harbours and their approaches to the NN.

5.      The roles of the Department are further specified in the NNO 16/88 as follows.

a.      Hydrographic and Oceanographic Surveying Matters for National Defence Requirements.
b.      Superintendence of all land Surveying and Dredging Matters within the NN.
c.       Provision of Expertise in the Delimitation of Nigeria’s Maritime Boundaries.
d.      Superintendence of Hydrographic and Oceanographic Surveys in Nigerian Waters.
e.      Act as Sole Maritime Authority on Hydrographic Charting and Tidal Matters.
f.       Provision, Custody and Distribution of Navigational Equipment and Publications in the NN.
g.      Planning and Provision of Appointments, Training and Career Planning of Personnel into Hydrographic and Oceanographic Specializations.

6.      The NN Hydrographic Department is one of the semi-autonomous departments in the NN and functions under the TOPS branch of NHQ.   The Hydrographer is responsible to the CNS through CTOPs.  The department is organized into the Hydrographic Office (NNHO), the Hydrographic School and the Surveying Vessels employed for hydrographic duties.

7.      The Hydrographic Office is headed by the Hydrographer of the Navy. He is responsible to the CNS through the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPS).  He exercises professional control of the school and the survey ship.  The duties of the Hydrographer are as follows.

a.      Overall in Charge of the Hydrographic Department.
b.      Adviser to the CNS on Surveying and Oceanographic Policy Matters.
c.       Advises the CTOPS on Operation and Deployment of Survey Ships.
d.      Advises on Appointment of Officers and Ratings of the Department.
e.      Coordination of Training in Hydrography in Conjunction with the Directorate of Training.
f.       Manpower Planning.
g.      Issuance of Hydrographic Instructions.
h.      Procurement and Accounting of Surveying and Navigational Instruments.
i.        Formulation and Revision of Training Programs for the Hydrographic Department.

8.      For the efficient running of the Department, the Hydrographic Office is divided into 3 sections namely; Surveying, Chart Production, Surveying and Administration. The Hydrographer is assisted by 3 Deputy Directors, each in charge of the sections. The office also liaises with international organizations, government departments and relevant private organizations on behalf of the NN on hydrography related matters.

9.      The NN Hydrographic School is the training institution for manpower development of the Hydrographic Department locally. The School is administratively under the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command. However, the Hydrographer of the Navy has superintendence on all hydrographic matters relating to the school. Presently, the School conducts training for Survey Recorders classes III and II only.  However, there are plans to extend the training program to include Survey Recorder Class I and the Basic Hydrographic Course for officers.

10.    The Hydrographic Survey Ship, NNS LANA, is an ocean survey vessel commissioned in 1976. The Commanding Officer is administratively responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and responsible to the Hydrographer on all hydrographic matters. The responsibilities of the CO are as follows.

a.      Implementing Hydrographic Instructions.
b.      Professional Reports of Surveying Officers.
c.       Rendering Hydrographic Returns.
d.      Maintenance and Replacement of Surveying and Navigational Instruments/Equipment.
e.      Operation and Maintenance of Certain Specialized Surveying Equipment for which Contracts are in Force.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARMENT

11.    The NN Hydrographic Department has contributed immensely to the needs of the NN in particular and Nigeria in general through co-operation with other Government Agencies. The Department is currently involved in the following activities:

a.      The NN Hydrographic Department is providing expert advice to the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between Nigeria and her immediate neighbours. 

b.      Personnel of the NN Hydrographic Department took part in the Desk Top Studies and participated actively in the collection of hydrographic data required for the determination of Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf.

c.       NN Hydrographic personnel are usually embarked on both foreign and local survey vessels during surveys in Nigeria to ensure compliance with survey regulations. 

d.      Since 1999 the Hydrographic Department in collaboration with local experts took over the prediction and analyses of tide tables for Nigerian waters.

e.      The Department in collaboration with other stakeholders set up a Technical Working Group for Hydrography in Nigeria. The work of the group resulted in the establishment of a Maritime Safety Information (MSI) cell at the NN Hydrographic Office with members drawn from the various stakeholders. A portal has been established in the NNHO Website available at www.nnho.org. The web portal is used for collection and dissemination of MSI to NAVAREA II Coordinator in Brest, France. The MSI provide an immediate advantage to international shipping and allows for real integration of the country into the World Wide Navigational Warning Service.   At present the web side is not up and running, however there are plan in the near future to make it operational.

f.       Since 2004 NN Hydrographic personnel had been on secondment to NIMASA where they render hydrographic services to the agency as well advices the Agency on hydrographic matters.

g.      Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office is the country’s representative at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) on all matters relating to Hydrography in Nigeria and the world at large.