Senam Tsei, MS Hydrographic Science, USM Dr. Stephan Howden, USM A review of hydrography survey adequacy and training opportunities in western Africa leading to the establishment of Cat-B Hydrographic Surveying program at the Regional Maritime University Senam Tsei, MS Hydrographic Science, USM Dr. Stephan Howden, USM Cpt. Brian Connon, US Navy (Ret.), USM

Existing Hydro training courses in Africa Cat-B in Egypt but Reserved to the Military Senegal ? Cote D’ Ivoire ? Nigeria ? Kenya ?

Why Regional Maritime University (RMU)? RMU is overseen by both International Maritime Organization and World Maritime University RMU is the only regional maritime training institute in the west African sub-region: Ghana The Gambia Cameroon Liberia Sierra Leone Ghana is politically stable

Current training capability of RMU Nautical Sc. Marine Eng. Marine Electrical Eng. Port & Shipping Administration

How will RMU achieve Cat-B program? RMU is working on developing a Cat-B program to satisfy IHO S 5B Identifying gaps in current academic infrastructure Developing new courses to fill the gaps RMU has established an informal relationship with USM RMU is partnering with the Port of Tema, which has hydrographic surveying expertise and has the surveying equipment and launches needed to help deliver the curricula.

What will be the benefits? To have an open-enrollment African based Cat-B Hydrographic Program Most of certified personnel are trained outside Africa (UK, Germany and USA) From 2000-2018,19% of USM International hydrographic students come from Africa Safety of Navigation Enhancement of terminal functionality (allow deeper draft vessels) Up-to-date of nautical charts ( Good Charts provide the most direct routes between ports) Mapping of habitats To effectively manage, protect, and preserve marine living resources through mechanisms like marine sanctuaries, protected areas, and reserves Delineation of maritime zones and boundaries To determining the rights and responsibilities of coastal states To provide the baseline information for determining maritime boundaries between countries Characterizing the nature of the seafloor for mineral resource exploitation To discover areas where mineral resources available for exploitation

Thank you