Since autumn 2022, the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and Met Office have participated in a series of reciprocal internal spotlight talks and presentations on topics of mutual interest. These gatherings have given colleagues across the two organisations an opportunity to meet in person and to learn more about how they work together.
Anna Bladon, Partnering and Engagement Officer at the UKHO, who attended the spotlight talks said:
Getting UKHO and Met Office colleagues together has been great for knowledge sharing, developing a better understanding of each other's organisations and establishing how we can work together better going forward.
The Met Office and the UKHO are executive agencies of the UK government. As the UK's national weather service, the Met Office provides weather and climate-related services not just to the public, but also to government departments, civil aviation, shipping, and commerce. Similarly, the UKHO is the UK government's leading expert and adviser on seabed mapping and the marine geospatial environment, working with other public bodies to inform and advise on policy matters.
Both organisations support the Ministry of Defence, providing data and specialist expertise to inform operation decision-planning for the UK Armed Forces and our global allies.
How to maximise collaboration for greater global reach and impact
Both organisations represent the UK on a global stage, with the Met Office holding several international roles. This was a theme covered in the first talk, which focused on cross-border relationships and engagement, and how to maximise collaboration for greater global reach and impact. Colleagues at the Met Office shared how they ensure collaboration, cohesion and coordination with other UK agencies and departments. The group also explored a common framework across these various activities to deliver greater value through their international portfolios.
Subsequent talks presented by the Met Office covered autonomous vehicles and the significant role they will play in future data gathering for both organisations, and for ocean modelling and forecasting. Ocean modelling or digital twins is a concept being explored by the research, development, and innovation teams of both organisations. Digital twins provide a digital replica of an actual physical area, allowing for situation awareness planning. 3D world view has the potential to be used by autonomous vessels, forming the building blocks for the next wave of innovation.
John Harrison, Met Office Associate Director Customer Relationships, commented:
It was really interesting hearing about similar data challenges, the approach and journey UKHO are taking towards a digital twin of the ocean and how visualising data is shaping customer discussions.
