IHO Seminar at ATCM-XXXI

Kiev, Ukraine, 9 June 2008 

Last update: February 25, 2010

The XXXth ATCM (2007) accepted the offer of IHO/HCA to organize and deliver a Seminar at the XXXIst ATCM (Kiev, Ukraine, June 2008) to highlight the important role and contribution that hydrography can play regarding the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty System. The HCA Seminar was delivered on 9 June 2008. The following presentations were given:
Opening Remarks

Title:       Importance of hydrographic activities in Antarctica
Speaker: Hugo Gorziglia, Captain Chilean Navy, former Chilean Hydrographer, Director IHB and Chairman HCA.
Content:  What is hydrography? Why we need hydrography? What are and why exist the IHO and HCA and what they have been doing. INT Chart Scheme. SOLAS and the Antarctica.


First Presentation

Title:       Hydrography in Antarctica 
Speaker: Ian Moncrieff, Rear Admiral, United Kingdom National Hydrographer, former Commanding Officer of HMS Endurance (the RN Antarctic Patrol Ships) and former Commander of British Forces in the South Atlantic. 
Content:  Antarctic Navigation and its risks. Extant of present coverage in and around the peninsula. Present UK approach to charting priorities based on observed routes of IATO vessels and support to BAS. Work done to date and future work plans. Case studies. Liabilities, Paucity of SAR. How hydrography knowledge reduces the risk.

Second Presentation

Title:       Hydrography and its contribution to the protection of the marine environment in Antarctic waters
Speaker: Manuel Catalan, Rear Admiral Spanish Navy, Scientist, Technical Secretary of the Spanish Polar Committee and Chairman of SHIPOPS. (Presentation as expert not institutional).
Content: Role of hydrography in Antarctic operations. Marine accidents and its impact on the marine environment. What is needed to operate with greater safety ness?

Third Presentation

Title:       Hydrography and its contribution to Antarctic Sciences
Speaker: Dr. Hans-Werner Schenke, Alfred Wagener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Represent Germany, IOC/IHO GEBCO, SCAR at the HCA, Chairman of SCUFN and IBCSO. 
Content:  The connection between hydrography and science. Mutual benefit. Scientific projects supported by bathymetric and remote sensing data. Safe access to remote research areas. Data exchange and Data Centers.

Fourth Presentation

Title:       Hydrographic and Cartographic Status in Antarctica
Speaker: Yves Guillam, Ingénieur en chef des études et techniques d’armement, Head of Plans, Policy and External Relations, SHOM. 
Content:  The existing situation based mainly on S-55. Provision of conclusions and clear picture of the problem. Characteristics of the data and difficulties in improving chart production.

Fifth Presentation

Title:       Practical initiatives to improve hydrography and nautical cartography in Antarctica
Speaker: Rod Nairn, Commodore Australian Navy, Australian Hydrographer, Vice Chair of HCA. 
Content:  A resume of the problems based on previous presentations and the offer of conclusive measures that could be put in practice by ATCM to improve the situation. The role of ATCM and IHO, to finally offer a sound resolution for consideration and adoption by the XXXI ATCM.