Opinion piece featured in IHR, title 27

The International Hydrographic Review (IHR) is entering a new phase, with Patrick Westfeld assuming the role of Chief Editor. Westfeld, who joined the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH) as head of Research and Development in the Nautical Hydrography Department in 2017, brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to the position.

Westfeld graduated as a geodesist in 2005 from Technische Universität Dresden (Germany) and completed a Ph.D. in 2012. Prior to joining BSH, he worked in academia, conducting research and teaching in the fields of photogrammetry and laser scanning.

Under Westfeld's leadership, the IHR team has made significant strides. They launched a new website, improved access to the IHR archives, and published four editions. The predecessor, Capt. (Ret) Brian Connon, has made significant contributions to the public profile of the IHR over the last two years.

The IHR defines hydrography as the measurement and description of physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes, and rivers for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and in support of all other marine activities. Westfeld's long-term aim is to bring together the separate disciplines of geosciences, maritime science and technology, and navigation, applying the full definition of hydrography to the journal's content without compromising its traditional focus.

One of the key challenges in the field of hydrography is the issue of occupational health and safety for women. Significant deficits in this area have been drawn attention to. However, in Chile, women are fully represented in all major technical and scientific disciplines of hydrography. The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA) presents the successful inclusion of women in hydrography in this edition.

The IHR aims to address these challenges by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting open access to advance the science and practice of hydrography worldwide. Westfeld's vision for the IHR is to make it the international journal that people with hydrographic background and from neighbouring disciplines think of first when looking for a suitable publication medium to present scientific work, reports from practice, news, and announcements.

In addition, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has launched a project in cooperation with Canada to "Empower Women in Hydrography". Helen Stewart et al. propose a series of actions and policy changes to address these barriers. The EAHC, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, also presents a comprehensive historical account of its work in this edition, penned by Shigeru Nakabayashi.

Meanwhile, the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has decided to end the production and maintenance of paper nautical charts and corresponding raster chart products and services. This shift towards digital navigation tools is a reflection of the evolving landscape of hydrography and the need for the IHR to embrace emerging technologies to remain a leading global forum for cutting-edge research, innovation, and best practices in the field.

Westfeld lives in Northern Germany with his wife and two boys, near the Baltic Sea. As he embarks on this new journey with the IHR, he is committed to expanding the journal's reach and impact by fostering collaboration, promoting open access, and ensuring that the IHR remains a vital resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers in the hydrographic community.

The International Hydrographic Review (IHR) under Westfeld's leadership aims to be the foremost journal for individuals with a hydrographic background or from related disciplines, promoting open access and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the science and practice of hydrography worldwide.
Recognizing the need to address occupational health and safety issues for women in the field, the IHR seeks to highlight successful inclusions and propose actions to address barriers, as demonstrated by the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy and the Empower Women in Hydrography project.
Westfeld's vision for the IHR includes expanding its reach and impact by embracing emerging technologies, a shift exemplified by the U.S.'s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's decision to end the production and maintenance of paper nautical charts in favor of digital navigation tools.
As an educational resource, the IHR also provides valuable insights into the history and practices of hydrography, as demonstrated by the comprehensive account presented by the EAHC in this edition. Additionally, it supports areas such as health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, technology, and education-and-self-development by showcasing related work and advancements.