{"id":168251,"date":"2015-12-15T08:53:27","date_gmt":"2015-12-15T13:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/noaacoastsurvey.wordpress.com\/?p=168251"},"modified":"2015-12-15T08:53:27","modified_gmt":"2015-12-15T13:53:27","slug":"nigerian-naval-officer-augments-on-noaa-survey-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/nigerian-naval-officer-augments-on-noaa-survey-ship\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigerian naval officer augments on NOAA survey ship"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Ensign Kaitlyn Seberger,\u00a0Junior Officer, NOAA Ship <\/em>Thomas Jefferson
\nThis fall, NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson<\/em> has had the pleasure of hosting Sub-Lieutenant Uchechukwu Erege. Sub-Lieutenant Erege, known to the ship\u2019s crew as \u201cUK,\u201d is a hydrographer in the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office<\/a>. The Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office is the national hydrographic authority for the country and is responsible for conducting hydrographic surveys in territorial waters, ensuring nautical charts are up-to-date, processing bathymetric data, and providing Notice to Mariners for hazards to navigation.
\nUK joined the Nigerian Navy in 2012 after graduating with distinction from the University of Lagos with a bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degree in geoinformatics. He then completed a 10-month training program at the Nigerian Defense Academy before transitioning to his current position in the hydrography branch.
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\"IMG_6480\"
Sub-Lt. Uchechukwu Erege deploys a conductivity-temperature-depth cast to obtain sound speed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n\u201cAt the time, the Nigerian Navy was searching for graduates in various technical fields,\u201d UK says, \u201cand joining the Navy was a great opportunity to serve my country and secure a job in my field of study.\u201d
\nThe United States and Nigeria are both member States of the International Hydrographic Organization<\/a> (IHO), whose primary aim is to ensure the world\u2019s oceans and navigable waterways are surveyed and charted. Through a grant funded by IHO and the government of South Korea, members of developing countries are able to attain higher education in the field of hydrography. UK was awarded this grant in 2014 and used it to attend the University of Mississippi\u2019s 12-month master\u2019s program in hydrographic science.
\n\u201cMy wife, Ezinne, has been very supportive during my time in the U.S.,\u201d UK explains. \u201cI would not have had as much success here without her.\u201d
\nDuring his time at the University of Mississippi, a professor put him in contact with Captain Shep Smith, commanding officer of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson<\/em><\/a>. Through a recommendation from the Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff and Capt. Smith, UK augmented for three months on Thomas Jefferson<\/em>.
\n\u201cI thought it would be a good opportunity to see how hydrography is practiced outside of Africa,\u201d UK says. \u201cI wanted to develop new skills that would be an asset to my office. My experience at the University of Mississippi and on NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson<\/em> has been a great way to network with other hydrographic entities and build international partnerships.\u201d
\nWhile on Thomas Jefferson<\/em>, UK gained hands-on experience as a sheet project manager, and in ship and hydrographic survey launch acquisition of multibeam and side scan sonar data, conductivity-temperature-depth casts, system integration, and troubleshooting.
\n\u201cAs a project manager, I was responsible for ensuring adequate data collection and maintaining good data management. The skills I gained on TJ<\/em> will be a valuable asset when I return to Nigeria.\u201d
\nUK proposes creating standard operating procedures in his office, for processing efficiency. An SOP for public affairs can also help inform the country of hydrographic survey projects. UK would also like to recommend more collaboration with international agencies, such as NOAA, and with Nigeria\u2019s West African neighbors in regards to hydrography.
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\"UK_Flag\"
Ensign Peter Gleichauf presents Sub-Lt. Uchechukwu Erege\u00a0with the NOAA Corps flag that Thomas Jefferson<\/em> sailed with during his\u00a0time augmenting on the ship. The entire crew signed the flag.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nSub-Lieutenant Uchechukwu Erege has been a valuable asset to the Thomas Jefferson<\/em>\u00a0crew and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Fair winds and following seas!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Ensign Kaitlyn Seberger,\u00a0Junior Officer, NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson This fall, NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson has had the pleasure of hosting Sub-Lieutenant Uchechukwu Erege. Sub-Lieutenant Erege, known to the ship\u2019s crew as \u201cUK,\u201d is a hydrographer in the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office. The Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office is the national hydrographic authority for the country … <\/p>\n

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