Representatives of the Hydrographic Institute of the Republic of Croatia, Vinka Kolić, Director, and Željko Bradarić, Assistant Director for International Relations, participated from 5 to 7 December in the event entitled the Croatian Maritime and Inland Navigation Days organised by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure to mark the Seafarer’s Day and St. Nicholas Day.

Two-day Conference on maritime and inland navigation – Vision of development, which included seven thematic panels, provided an estimate of the current state as well as vision and guidance on the development of particular segments of maritime navigation. Participating in Panel 7 “Protection of the Sea from Pollution and the Safety of Navigation”, the HHI Director outlined the HHI achievements so far in informative segment of the safety of navigation, and presented short-term priorities of the hydrographic activity. The most important are continuation of the hydrographic survey in priority areas and production of new electronic and paper navigational charts. As particularly important segment of future activities, she emphasized the challenges that HHI needs to meet in the next three years regarding the transition to new generation of electronic navigational charts and their availability to end users according to the IHO standard S-101.

A number of meetings took place during conference breaks, exchanging views with representatives of public authorities, academia and representatives of companies and other organisations and institutions on topical issues in the area of maritime affairs, focusing on the safety of navigation.

Awards ceremony was held to give credit and grant awards to individuals and organisations that made a considerable contribution to the maritime service in Croatia, especially regarding the rescue of people and vessels at sea.