Russian Hydrographic Service

Russian Hydrographic Service
Гидрографическая служба России
Flag of hydrographic vessels of the Russian Navy (since 2001)
Agency overview
FormedNovember 1777
JurisdictionRussian Federation
HeadquartersSt. Petersburg
Agency executive
  • Capt. Sergey V. Travin, Head of Navigation and Oceanography of the Ministry of Defence[1]
Parent agencyMinistry of Defence
Russian Navy
Child agency
  • Russian Lighthouse Administration

The Russian Hydrographic Service, full current official name Department of Navigation and Oceanography of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (Russian: Управление навигации и океанографии Министерства обороны Российской Федерации),[2] is Russia's hydrographic office, with responsibility to facilitate navigation, performing hydrographic surveys and publishing nautical charts.

Since the Russian state is of such a vast size and nature that it includes many different seas, long and indented coastlines and a great number of islands, as well as a complex system of waterways and lakes, surveying has been an indispensable activity for the Russian Navy since its modernization at the time of Czar Peter the Great in the 17th century. The hydrographic service has been historically attached to the Russian Navy and the agents and supervisors of hydrographic works have been largely naval officers throughout its history.

Russia is a member of the International Hydrographic Organization.

  1. ^ "Травин Сергей Викторович". Структура. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  2. ^ Department of Navigation and Oceanography of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation – Russian Navy