Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service
Encyclopedia
The Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (service hydrographique et océanographique de la marine or SHOM) is a French administrative public body (établissement public à caractère administratif) administered by the Ministry of Defence. It was set up by decree number 2007-800 on 11 May 2007. Its board is presided over by the chef d'état-major de la marine and the body is directed by a director-general.
SHOM is made up of oceanographic and hydrographic groups, as well as a school, and employs 500 naval and civil personnel. Its fleets consists of 5 boats: the Beautemps-Beaupré
, the Borda, the Lapérouse, the Laplace and the Pourquoi-Pas ?. SHOM works in cooperation with many other national organisations, including IFREMER
(with whom it shares the Pourquoi-Pas ?), Météo-France
, the CNRS
, the University of Western Brittany
and the IGN
.
It participates in international hydrographic projects and programmes co-ordinated by the International Hydrographic Organization
, of which France is a member.
Aims
This public body has several aims, including the provision of :- a public service in hydrographyHydrographyHydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river or lake bed topography and morphology. Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of water for the safe navigation of shipping...
and maritime cartographyCartographyCartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
, including the collection, elaboration, confirmation and spread of nautical information useful to civil or naval navigators and to all who sail for professional or pleasure, as well as those responsible for care of the coast - to support the navy's hydrographers, oceanographers and meteorologists concerning specific information on maritime matters to ensure the optimal running of the navy's weapons systems (radar, sonar, infra-red sensors, carrier-borne aircraft etc.).
SHOM is made up of oceanographic and hydrographic groups, as well as a school, and employs 500 naval and civil personnel. Its fleets consists of 5 boats: the Beautemps-Beaupré
French ship Beautemps-Beaupré (2002)
The Beautemps-Beaupré is a ship of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, named after the hydrographer Charles-François Beautemps-Beaupré. It replaced the Espérance, decommissioned in 2000. It was launched on 26 April 2002 and entered service on 13 December 2003....
, the Borda, the Lapérouse, the Laplace and the Pourquoi-Pas ?. SHOM works in cooperation with many other national organisations, including IFREMER
Ifremer
Ifremer, standing for French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea is an oceanographic institution in France.- Scope of works :...
(with whom it shares the Pourquoi-Pas ?), Météo-France
Météo-France
Météo-France is the French national meteorological service.The organisation was established by decree in June 1993 and is a department of the Ministry of Transportation. It is headquartered in Paris but many domestic operations have been decentralised to Toulouse...
, the CNRS
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
The National Center of Scientific Research is the largest governmental research organization in France and the largest fundamental science agency in Europe....
, the University of Western Brittany
University of Western Brittany
The University of Western Brittany is a French university, in the Academy of Rennes.-Notable alumni: Philippe Collin, anchor for France Inter Benoît Hamon, politician Christophe Miossec, singer , politician...
and the IGN
Institut géographique national (France)
This article is about the French Institut Géographique National; for the similar Belgian institution also called Institut Géographique National see Nationaal Geografisch Instituut - Institut Géographique National...
.
It participates in international hydrographic projects and programmes co-ordinated by the International Hydrographic Organization
International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
, of which France is a member.
Publications
Among the SHOM's nautical publications are- maritime charts in paper or electronic form ("cartes électroniques de navigation" or ENC)
- signal books, containing audio and visual signals for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore use, as well as details of French lighthouses
- Radio signal-books, for radio-electric navigation aids and radio-communications
- nautical instructions and nautical instructions for those who sail for pleasure
- tidal almanacks and atlas of currents
- Guides and works on navigation :
- navigator's guides
- a guide to the symbols and abbreviations on maritime charts (1D)
- International rules for preventing maritime accidents (Réglement international pour prévenir les abordages en mer, or RIPAM) (2A and 2B)
- Maritime signals (3C)
- the "Groupe d'avis aux navigateurs", a weekly bulletin with corrections to the above works
Directors
| Year of appointment |
Name |
|---|---|
| |
IGA Bruno Frachon |
| |
IGA Gilles Bessero |
| |
IGA Yves Desnoes |