Keeping our seafarers safe on World Hydrography Day 

A seabed survey of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde

Did you know that the 24/7 safety mission of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) extends both above and below the waves? 

Helping to provide vital navigational seabed information is the UK Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP), managed and delivered by the MCA. 

With more than 90% of the UK’s imports and exports moving by sea, on World Hydrography Day let’s take a closer look at the high-resolution seabed mapping work supporting safe, efficient and secure shipping.  

The priority of the CHP is to survey areas of highest navigational safety risk and to keep nautical charts up to date – meeting the UK’s duties under the international Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. 

Surveys are commissioned by the MCA and undertaken by specialist hydrographic survey contractors. Areas for survey include those with the busiest maritime traffic, highly mobile seabed, and minimal under-keel clearance where vessels could go aground or be damaged.  

A seabed survey along the coast of the Pentland Firth between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands

In addition to delivering the CHP, the MCA coordinates seabed mapping plans across Government and undertakes collaborative surveys with multiple organisations from across the public sector.  

The MCA and its partners share a passion and energy to explore uncharted areas and map the seas around the UK.  

The sharing of specialist survey expertise and skills, survey plans, and wide range of seabed mapping datasets provides accurate baseline information to benefit the UK’s maritime sector and wider economy.  

A recent example was a four-week survey led by the MCA to explore and map the seabed along the UK’s south-west coastline. It was undertaken under the umbrella of the UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM), a group of over 30 public sector organisations with a shared commitment to collect and share high-quality marine data. 

The CHP and collaborative surveys provide freely available foundation datasets that underpin maritime safety, marine conservation, ecosystem management, offshore energy security and development, defence and critical seabed infrastructure. 

Happy World Hydrography Day! 

https://insidemca.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/21/keeping-our-seafarers-safe-on-world-hydrography-day/

seen at 10:30, 21 June in Inside MCA.