The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions
under the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India. The Department, being
the nodal agency for Hydrographic surveys and Nautical charting in India, has a
very well established organizational setup. INHD has eight indigenously built
modern survey ships fitted with state-of-the-art surveying equipment and a well
established 'National Institute Hydrography' which is recognized as the 'Regional
Centre for Imparting Training in Hydrography' for South East Asia by IHO.
Six Catamaran Hull Survey Vessels (CHVs) will join the surveying fleet during 2011 - 2012. Surveys are conducted in strict compliance with the 'IHO standards for Hydrographic surveying (SP-44)'.
The department also pioneered
in making official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for Indian waters.
INHD is committed to capacity building in the South East Asian Region and conducts
training to personnel from countries in the region and some of the African nations.
The department has also signed MoU with various countries for surveying their waters
as part of international cooperation.