NOAA SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking applicants to serve as members of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. The candidates are sought to replace five of the panel’s 15 original voting members whose two-year appointments expire in late 2005 or early 2006. The new term will be for a four-year period. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The 15-person panel functions in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and addresses the needs and development of hydrographic services for the nation. It was established by the secretary of commerce as directed by the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2002.

“Those selected for this panel will play a major role in assessing and developing the nation’s hydrographic and navigation services,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

The panel’s duties include providing advice and recommendations to the under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere on hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, water level measurements and geodetic measurements. The panel assists in addressing NOAA’s strategic plan to improve the nation’s marine transportation system and NOAA’s plans to support commerce with world-class products and services that will help ensure safe, efficient and environmentally sound marine transportation.

At a minimum, the panel meets biannually in various locations throughout the United States. Members are appointed based on their knowledge, experience and/or training in fields related to hydrographic surveying and navigational services, marine transportation, port administration, professional vessel piloting and coastal and fishery management.

Candidates must submit their resumes no later than Feb. 1, 2005. Resumes should be mailed to: Director, Office of Coast Survey; National Ocean Service, NOAA (N/CS); 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Resumes may also be faxed and e-mailed to: (301) 713-4019, Hydroservices.panel@noaa.gov. For further information contact Capt. Roger Parsons at (301) 713-2777, ext. 134 or Roger.L.Parsons@noaa.gov. The Federal Register notice of this call for applicants is online:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-27949.htm

NOAA provides a variety of navigation services necessary to ensure safe and efficient marine transportation and commerce, naval operations and recreational activities. These include nautical charts, hydrographic surveys, shoreline maps, positioning capabilities, marine weather forecasts and real-time water level data. The U.S. Marine Transportation System, a primary customer of NOAA’s navigation services, is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, responsible for 95 percent of all goods by volume entering and leaving the United States.

NOAA's National Ocean Service, which includes the Office of Coast Survey and the National Geodetic Survey, is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. It balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Ocean Service: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/

Office of Coast Survey: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/

National Geodetic Survey: http://geodesy.noaa.gov/

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products & Services: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/

NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel: http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/hsrp.htm