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INTERCOAST

Best Student Paper Award For PhD Student Ruggero Capperucci At Hydro'12 Conference - Rotterdam, 12-16 November 2012

A nighttime view of the former cruise ship SS Rotterdam, venue for the Hydro'12 conference.

More than 400 participants from 5 continents took part in the 21st Hydro’ Conference organized by the Hydrographic Society Benelux (Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 12-16 November 2012). The theme of the conference, “Taking care of the sea”, aimed to improve the exchange of knowledge and experience about hydrographic solutions, new techniques, and scientific approaches to better address the future marine challenges, which also involve such societal aspects as climate change, costal development, tourism, and international trade.

The former cruise ship SS Rotterdam offered an incredible venue for the conference; known as the “Grande Dame”, it was designed to cross the ocean between Rotterdam and New York under any weather condition, having a draft far deeper than the current cruise ships. Nowadays, it’s permanently moored at the MAAS Hafen and has been restyled as a luxury hotel and restaurant. This unique location gave the delegates the opportunity to join the scientific program in the theatre, to attend one of the several tutorials, or to get introductions to the newest devices for marine surveying in the exhibition areas. Additionally, 4 vessels were available for demonstrations of the latest released marine equipment.


Four keynote speakers were invited to give lectures about edgy aspects of the marine research: Stephen Shipman (MBE) held a speech about the role of hydrography in a changing society facing issues related to economical development and global crisis from his unique point of view as a retired 40-year surveyor. Peter Harris (Geoscience Australia) introduced the audience to the world of habitat mapping and its implications with ocean management. A similar approach was carried out within the frame of the MAREANO Project, a Norwegian national mapping program presented by Terje Thorsnes (Geological Survey of Norway). Mark Heine (FUGRO Survey B.V.) gave a visionary prospective about the future development of hydrography in the next 20 years, a world even more digitally dominated and remote controlled than now.

Ruggero Capperucci in discussions after presentation of his paper (photo: L. D'Agostino).

The golden compass award for 'Best Student Paper' (photo: L. D'Agostino).

Ten scientific sessions over 3 days ranged from “Careful marine planning” to “Subsea positioning”. Within the “Geophysics of the marine environment” session, I also had the chance to present my work related to the anthropogenic effects on acoustic seabed classification. The presentation was followed by a discussion, which bridged new contacts and opportunities of sharing experiences, questions, and possible solutions.


A contest for the best paper and presentation award took place with the members of the jury coming from university, research institutes, and survey companies. It was very emotional to hear my name called on the stage for the Best Student Paper Award. The committee evaluated both the paper and the oral presentation and gave my work, unanimously, the highest score for the following reasons: "Enthusiastic work, presented with competence and naturalness (talented presentation skills). The work brings together different competences from an interdisciplinary approach in an original and innovative way. The critical ability has been particularly appreciated."


During the closing ceremony in the Grand Ballroom Leeke van der Poel (Chairman of the Hydrographic Society Benelux) handed the prize over to me: a traditional heavy brass nautical compass.


A glass of Beaujolais nouveau and the tunes played by the Biggles Big Band marked the nicest conclusion to this scientific Dutch experience.