SHS grad named to NOAA panel

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint High School graduate is being appointed to a prestigious National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration advisory panel.

Deanne Hargrave, the daughter of Margarete and Ron Raiha, has been appointed to the Hydrographic Services Review Panel, a federal advisory committee that gives NOAA independent advice for improving a range of services and products that support safe navigation and coastal resilience.

Hargrave, graduated from SHS in 1995 and obtained a civil engineering degree from Gonzaga University in 2000.

Hargrave is a senior geomatics operations surveyor in the Geo Operations Group at Shell International Exploration & Production in Houston, Texas. Her primary responsibilities include designing and executing complex geophysical projects in technically and logistically challenging offshore environments, according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Their expertise determines a lot of things involving maritime issues around the world,” Ron Raiha said of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel.

The Hydrographic Services Review Panel is composed of experts in hydrographic surveying, vessel pilotage, port administration, tides and currents, coastal zone management, geodesy, recreational boating, marine transportation and academia, according to NOAA.

Hargrave’s area of expertise include hydrographic surveying, geodetic and geospatial measurements, geomagnetic measurements and oceanography.

“I am well-informed of the hydrograhic and navigational positioning needs of offshore oil and gas operating companies, the offshore geophysical/geotechnical contractor, various maritime sector companies and oil spill response organizations,” Hargrave said in a nomination letter to NOAA.

Hargrave, a veteran mariner with 20 years of experience, worked in Alaska and became very familiar with the needs of native Alaskan communities in the North Slope and their perspectives on sound in the marine environment, increasing traffic and environmental protection.

Ron Raiha expects the panel to lean on Hargrave’s experience in the Arctic.

“She’s had a lot of experience in Arctic drilling,” he said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.