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The RAN Australian Hydrographic Service is the
Commonwealth Government agency responsible for the publication
and distribution
of nautical charts and other information required for the safety
of ships navigating in Australian waters. It is also the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) agency responsible for the provision of
operational surveying support and maritime Military Geographic
Information (MGI) for ADF operations and excercises.
The Australian Hydrographic Service has its origins
in the British Admiralty Hydrographic Office, which was established
in 1795. The Admiralty carried out surveys and published charts
of the Australian coast throughout the 19th century in support
of the defence and commercial development of the colonies.
The RAN assumed responsibility for hydrographic surveys in
1920, and for the publication of charts in 1942. In 1946 the
Federal Cabinet made the Commonwealth Naval Board responsible
for the surveying and charting of Australian waters. This responsibility
was confirmed in 1988 after a review of Commonwealth mapping
activities.
Further information on the AHS can be found in
the links below.
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