to change its focus from a comprehensive national survey to the charting of new ports and shipping routes suitable for deep-draught merchant ships. A purpose-built survey ship, entered service in 1964. Survey of ports and shipping routes was completed by 1974. From 1979 onwards, the Hydrographic Service began to provide hydrographic assistance and training to Pacific island nations. During 1989 and 1990, four survey ships entered service with the RAN, followed by two larger ships in 1999. In 1993, the RAN began to use Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) technology to assist in surveying: this was first fitted to a Fokker F27 aircraft, then in 2010 was installed in a De Havilland Dash 8, operated by the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder Flight. Units As of 2011, the following units and equipment are assigned to the AHS: The Australian Hydrographic Office, located in Wollongong, New South Wales. Was opened in 1994, and has a staff of 120 mixed civilian and military personnel. Two s Four es Laser Airborne Depth Sounder Flight RAN – One LADS-equipped De Havilland Dash 8 See also Australian Pilot Land Information New Zealand United States Office of Coast Survey Citations References Royal Australian Navy National hydrographic offices Wollongong