Last modified: 2023-06-10 by 
zachary harden
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![[International Hydrographic Organization]](../images/i/int-iho2.gif)
image by Zachary Harden, 4 May 2020
The International Hydrographic Organization is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organisation that was established in 1921 to
support the safety in navigation and the protection of the marine environment.
The object of the Organization is to bring about:
The coordination of the activities of national hydrographic offices;
The greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents;
The adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys;
The development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography."
Recently, IHO received much publicity when its member states voted to rename a large expanse of water near Antarctica the "Southern Ocean", which
essentially "created" a fifth ocean on the planet.
Sean McKinniss, 30 September 2001
Ben Cahoon informed me that the IHO has rebranded itself, effective 21 June
2019. A circular letter about rebranding indicates "the IHO emblem, has been
modified slightly and the reference to Monaco and the year 1921 has been removed
with the agreement of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco." Accompanying the letter
are several approved versions of the new brand, still showing the fouled anchor
and the interlocked letters IHO, in the colours dark blue, azure, sand and
yellow.
Rob Raeside, 24 June 2019
I found a facebook post from Feb 6,2020 showing a flag photo of the IHO
during a meeting in Monaco:
https://www.facebook.com/IHOhydro/. The post in Monaco on Electronic
Navigational Charts (ENCs), clearly shows the IHO flag is now navy with the new
plain one-color gold seal logo.
Ben Cahoon, 4 May 2020
![[International Hydrographic Organization]](../images/i/int-iho.gif)
image by Sean McKinniss
I emailed the International Hydrographic Organization to investigate their flag. The IHO
conducts meetings and conventions all around the world, so I thought that a flag would not be
solely limited to their headquarters in Monaco. In my email, I asked the IHO if their flag
(provided they had one) bore the IHO logo over a blue field, and if so, was it the official flag
of the IHO.
In responding to my email, the IHO's Director, Rear Admiral Neil Guy, explained to me to that the organisation indeed has a flag that flies over their Monegasque headquarters and matches my description. Here is his response:
The IHO has a flag which is on a blue background and which flies over the Headquarters in Monaco every day. We are not sure whether it was ever really established as the 'official' flag and as a result of your query we will investigate the matter further and make it official if necessary.It is interesting that, in addition to our flag and the flag of Monaco which are always flown, we also fly the flag of a Member State on their National Day. We now have 70 Member States from around the world.
Thank you again for your enquiry.
Best wishes
Rear Admiral Neil GUY
Director
International Hydrographic Bureau
BP 445
MC 98011 Monaco Cedex
Sean McKinniss, 3 September 2001