NOAA SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR FIRST HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking applicants to serve as members of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. The panel will serve under NOAA’s National Ocean Service’s (NOS) Office of Coast Survey (OCS). Established by the secretary of commerce under the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2002, the 15-person panel will address the needs and development of hydrographic services for the nation. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The panel’s duties include providing advice and recommendations to the undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere on hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, water level measurements and geodetic measurements. The panel will assist in addressing issues such as the safe navigation of cargo ships carrying U.S. foreign trade in and out of ports as well as the safe navigation of commercial cruise ships. The panel will also discuss the OCS National Survey Plan, which addresses current trends in maritime navigation and supports NOAA Navigation Services Portfolio and interagency Marine Transportation System (MTS) initiative.

“This panel will have a tremendous task ahead of them,” said retired Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Those selected for this panel will play a major role in assessing and developing the nation’s charting and navigation system.”

The panel is scheduled to meet biannually in various locations throughout the United States. Members will be selected based on their knowledge, experience and/or training in fields related to hydrographic surveying and navigational services.

Candidates must apply no later than September 29, 2003. 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 can also be faxed and e-mailed to: (301) 713-4019, Hydroservices.panel@noaa.gov. For further information contact Gretchen Imahori at (301) 713-2777, ext. 140 or Gretchen.Imahori@noaa.gov.

NOAA's National Ocean Service, which includes OCS, 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/