I am deeply honoured to have received the Australasian Hydrographic Society Award of Merit – Career Achievement, Achievement in Hydrography, presented at the World Hydrography Day Conference in Wollongong, Australia, on 18 June 2026.

The award citation states:

“Rob has been a passionate advocate for seabed mapping, making significant contributions to the collection, processing and sharing of bathymetric data. His leadership and expertise have helped advance seabed mapping both nationally and internationally.

Rob shares his knowledge across the seabed mapping community, mentoring and inspiring countless professionals. He has worked extensively with universities, government agencies, industry and international partners, while also representing Australia on the global stage.”

I am sincerely grateful to the Australasian Hydrographic Society for this recognition. Most importantly, I would like to thank the many colleagues, collaborators, mentors, students, and shipmates I have had the privilege of working and sailing with throughout my career. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of an outstanding community dedicated to advancing our understanding of the world’s oceans.