02.09.2025
MLA College is proud to celebrate the success of MSc graduate Merte Peeters, who has been awarded the 2025 Alan Ingham Award by The Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland. This highly respected award recognises outstanding research, innovation, and application demonstrated by students and recent graduates in hydrography across the UK and Ireland.
Merte’s winning research project, ‘Establishing an Accurate Mean Sea Level Model in the Dutch Caribbean Using Vessel-Based PPP-GNSS Measurements‘, explored the determination of a mean sea level model in a dynamic and data-sparse environment. The study aims to provide more efficient and effective methods for conducting hydrographic surveys in the Dutch Caribbean, a region of both great beauty and environmental vulnerability.
By advancing knowledge of coastal bathymetry, Merte’s research contributes to strengthening the resilience of island communities against tropical storms and the long-term impacts of climate change. This work highlights the importance of accurate vertical datums for sustainable coastal development and the protection of vulnerable coastal regions.
In addition to his academic achievements, Merte serves as Commanding Officer of the Royal Netherlands Navy survey vessel HNLMS Snellius, and has extensive professional experience as a navigator and hydrographic surveyor with the RNLN and Boskalis Westminster. His career specialisms include Geo Informatics, UXO clearance, dredging, and subsea rock installation. Merte also holds IHO CAT-A and CAT-B certifications and has previously completed his BSc at FOST HM and Plymouth University.
Merte began his MSc in Advanced Hydrography with MLA College, in partnership with the University of Plymouth, in 2024 and successfully completed his dissertation in March 2025. As winner of the Alan Ingham Award, Merte will go on to represent The Hydrographic Society as their 2025 nominee for the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) Student Award, presenting his research at HYDRO 2025. His paper will also be featured in the upcoming edition of soundings, the official publication of THS:UKI.
MLA College congratulates Merte on this exceptional achievement, which reflects both his professional dedication and his commitment to advancing knowledge in hydrography. We are honoured to have supported his academic journey and look forward to following his continued success.
