IHO Seminar at IAATO-21

Turin, Italy, June 2010 

Last update: September 25, 2010

The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) is a global network of tour operators that banded together in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica. IAATO meets annually to consider and develop practices to improve effectiveness of their activities. On the occasion of their 21st meeting (Turin, Italy, 21-24 June 2010), IAATO 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:       Importance of Hydrographic Activities in Antarctica. 
Speaker: Hugo Gorziglia, Captain Chilean Navy, former Chilean Hydrographer, Director IHB and Chairman HCA
Content:  IHO and IHO/HCA involvement in Antarctica. Role and achievements of HCA. SOLAS V Regulation 9 and Antarctica. HCA priorities. IHO/IAATO relationship.

Second Presentation

Title:       HCA approach to improve Hydrography and Nautical Cartography in Antarctica 
Speaker: Andrew Willett, UKHO Southern Ocean and Antarctic Team; Member of the UK Delegation to the HCA and Chair of the HCA Hydrographic Survey Prioritization Working Group.
Content: Maritime Shipping Routes (MSRs). Present approach to charting priorities based on observed routes used for different purposes. Work done to date and future work plans. Case studies. How hydrography knowledge reduces the risk. What is needed and how the Antarctic community can help.

Third Presentation

Title:       Practical initiatives to improve hydrography and nautical cartography in Antarctica with the support of IAATO
Speaker: Hugo Gorziglia, Captain Chilean Navy, former Chilean Hydrographer, Director IHB and Chairman HCA. 
Content:  Presentation of proposals that could be put in practice by IAATO, that will contribute IHO/HCA to improve availability of reliable nautical charts of Antarctic waters. What and How it can be done. Introduction of Guidelines for the Collection and Rendering of Hydrographic Data obtained by “Ships of Opportunity” in Antarctic Waters.