IHO Seminar at COMNAP-XXI

Punta Arenas, Chile, August 2009 

Last update: November 14, 2009


Meetings of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) are held annually to develop and promote the best practice in managing the support of scientific research in Antarctica. On the occasion of their XXIst meeting (Punta Arenas, Chile, 3-6 August 2009), COMNAP invited the IHO/HCA to deliver a set of presentations that, in a form of a seminar, would emphasize the importance of hydrographic activities in Antarctica. The following presentations were given at the IHO Seminar:

First Presentation

Title:       Hydrography in the 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 the IHO and HCA exist and what they have been doing.    INT Chart Scheme. Hydrographic priorities. SOLAS and Antarctica. IHO/COMNAP relationship.

Second Presentation

Title:       Risks in Antarctic Operations related to Hydrography and Nautical Cartography
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. HCA Vice Chairman.
Content: Antarctic Navigation and its risks. Extant of present coverage in and around the peninsula. Present approach to charting priorities   based on observed routes used for different purposes. Work done to date and future work plans. Case studies. Liabilities, Paucity of SAR. How hydrography knowledge reduces the risk. Marine accidents and its impact on the marine environment. Role of hydrography in Antarctic operations. What is needed to operate with greater safety ness? Safe access to remote research areas.

Third Presentation

Title:       Practical Initiatives to improve Hydrography and Nautical Cartography in Antarctica.
Speaker: Enrique Silva, Commander, Head Department of Operations, Chilean Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, and      Chilean representative to the HCA. 
Content:  A resume of the problems based on previous presentations and the offer of conclusive measures that could be put jointly in place   by COMNAP and IHO to improve safety for National Program vessels. IHO contribution to COMNAP to achieve its objectives. Introduction of Guidelines for the Collection and Rendering of Hydrographic Data obtained by 'Ships of Opportunity' in Antarctic Water.