TRAINERS at Taunton’s UK Hydrographic Office have been passing on their expertise to hydrographers from Algeria, Bulgaria, Solomon Islands, Sri-Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan during a 15-week course.

The students picked up fundamental skills and knowledge to compile and maintain digital and paper navigational charts to the standard required for safety of sea-going navigation as part of the NIPPON Foundation-sponsored initiative.

Lynton Greatwood, UKHO’s cartographic training and development manager, said: “At UKHO we continue to support the development of the capability of sister hydrographic organisations around the world and we are very proud to be associated with this project.”

In addition to practical assignments, the students enjoyed field trips to the Port Authorities of Bristol and Brixham.