Women's Role in Hydrographic Work in Chile
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In the realm of hydrography and nautical cartography, a field once dominated by men, the tide has begun to change. The evolution of women's participation in these sciences is a testament to the breaking of societal constraints and the opening of doors to maritime education for women.
Historically, the focus of collections like the Royal Society of Edinburgh Admiralty Charts was on maritime data rather than personnel demographics. However, the story of women's early contributions remains largely untold.
Fast forward to the present, and women are increasingly making their mark in hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, and ocean exploration missions. Organisations such as NOAA are welcoming female scientists like Amanda Finn on hydrographic survey voyages, reflecting the growing gender diversity in research expeditions.
Technological advances, like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), have modernised these fields, making them more accessible and fostering broader participation, including by women.
International initiatives supporting women in these fields include partnerships and cooperative agreements among organisations like NOAA, CSIRO (Australia), and Geoscience Australia. These collaborations promote inclusive ocean exploration and hydrographic survey collaboration.
Global efforts to improve gender diversity in STEM fields, including marine sciences, are documented in broader women scientists’ advocacy groups and projects, such as WikiProject Women Scientists on Wikipedia. These initiatives aim to increase recognition and visibility of female scientists.
In Chile, the Hydrographic Office of the Chilean Navy, established in 1874, has seen significant changes. In 1966, the first group of women joined SHOA and participated in nautical chart production. In 2007, SHOA's Instruction Centre received its first female student, 1st Lieutenant Jeanette Sheets from the United States Navy. Since then, 12 female enlisted personnel have graduated from SHOA's Instruction Center.
In 2013, Ms. Nicole Urrea made history by becoming the first woman to obtain the Mechanical Hydrographic and Oceanographic (Mc. Hd. Oc.) specialism. In 2005, the civilian employee, Ms. Pilar Ortiz, became the first woman to become a hydrographic surveyor in Chile. Women have also contributed to the processing of bathymetric tidal and current data at SHOA.
In 2014, Lt JG Daniela Machuca became the first Chilean female officer to obtain the title of "Naval Engineer in Hydrography and Oceanography". The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), established in 1971, has also taken steps to empower women in hydrography, approving the adoption of a new working point entitled "The Empowerment of Women in Hydrography" in the IHO Capacity Building Sub-Committee's Work Program.
The strengthening of nautical hydrographic and cartographic capabilities requires four vital pillars: technology, infrastructure, financial resources, and human resources. As more women take up positions in these fields, the future of hydrography and nautical cartography is looking increasingly diverse and inclusive.
[1] Royal Society of Edinburgh Admiralty Charts [2] Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) [3] NOAA and Partner Agencies [4] WikiProject Women Scientists [5] NOAA, CSIRO, and Geoscience Australia
- As women continue to make significant strides in the field of hydrographic survey, their contributions are becoming increasingly visible in coastal zone management, with organizations like NOAA integrating more female scientists into their ocean exploration missions.
- The growing presence of women in nautical cartography and hydrography, as exemplified by the increased number of female scientists collaborating with agencies such as NOAA, CSIRO, and Geoscience Australia, has a positive impact on the intersection of science, health-and-wellness, and women's health, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
