do Instituto Hidrográfico

THE publication of the Annals of the Hydrographic Institute in 2000, on the occasion of
its 40th anniversary, marks the revival of a work that had been interrupted in 1994 as a result
of a combination of a shortage of staff and a great deal of activity.
This present 2001 edition is designed to lend continuity to this annual publication, the
purpose of which is to divulge studies and projects undertaken by the Institute in the field of
the sciences of the sea, with a particular focus on hydrography, oceanography and navigation,
stemming from its duties as a State laboratory and as a Naval organisation.
This edition provides ten articles, accounting for just a part of the technical and scientific
output, that, with great quality, address matters of interest such as: the Portuguese
differential GPS network; technology for the use of official electronic navigation charts;
geographic information and bathymetric data management systems; oceanography in
support of environmental information in naval operations; laboratory methods for application
in the control of pollution by hydrocarbons and environmental preservation; marking
underwater cable areas; modelling the propagation and breaking of waves in not very deep
waters; or fitting multi-beam transducers to hydrographic ships. These provide a balanced
sample of the range of activities undertaken in keeping with the strategic objectives that we
pursue – involvement with the scientific community, increase of the qualifications and
motivation of the personnel, and adaptation to the information and knowledge society.
The authors of the articles and the members of the Editors’ Committee of the Annals, who
accumulate this work with their demanding technical and scientific activity at the Institute,
were able once again, as a result of their effort and dedication, to produce this annual edition
of the publication and therefore warrant our heartfelt thanks.
The Annals of the Hydrographic Institute continue to be an appropriate vehicle for the
transmission of activities and knowledge of considerable public and national interest to the
scientific community, which fall within the scope of the missions that are entrusted to the Navy
and are carried out through the Hydrographic Institute.
The Director General,
Carlos António David Silva Cardoso
Vice-Admiral
Foreword