United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Agency overview
Formed1795
HeadquartersAdmiralty Way
Taunton
TA1 2DN
Employeesapprox 900
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent agencyMinistry of Defence
Websitewww.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-hydrographic-office Edit this at Wikidata

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is the UK's agency for providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. The UKHO is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and is located in Taunton, Somerset, with a workforce of approximately 900 staff.

The UKHO is responsible for operational support to the Royal Navy and other defence customers. Supplying defence and the commercial shipping industry, they help ensure Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), protect the marine environment and support the efficiency of global trade.[citation needed]

The UKHO also produces Admiralty charts, providing SOLAS-compliant charts, publications and digital services for ships trading internationally.

  1. ^ "RAdm Peter Sparkes".
  2. ^ "UKHO appoints RAdm Peter Sparkes as Acting Chief Executive following retirement of CEO Tim Lowe CBE | Mirage News". 13 July 2020.