The Tunisian Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (THOS) was established in 1987 with the aim of ensuring safety of navigation along the coastal waters of the country. Its main mission is to conduct hydrographic surveys for the purpose of producing national nautical charts to replace the old existing foreign charts covering Tunisian waters.
Besides hydrography, THOS also holds national responsibility for editing nautical publications. In regard to the two traffic separation schemes lying in the proximity of our north coast, THOS started collecting and processing new hydrographic data immediately after its foundation.
Although THOS has not ceased collecting data since 1987, there are still large coastal areas where the only soundings available are those taken using old techniques. Depth measurements here are therefore doubtful and the hydrography inadequate for modern navigation, which has made the mission of THOS very urgent. The Service has up until now published seven nautical charts and many nautical publications which are edited periodically, including a List of lights, Tide book…etc.
In addition to the survey ships and launches employed in achieving these hydrographic tasks, our surveying capabilities, especially in high-sea areas, have been enhanced by the acquisition of two hydrographic and oceanographic ships. This has made possible the survey of the major part of the extended maritime area to the north of our shoreline.
Many challenges still face THOS in coming years. Of the highest priority are those to:
- Update and refresh old surveys and finish the collection of hydrographic data in unsurveyed waters
- Produce all the paper and ENC charts included in the national cartographic portfolio
THOS became full member of IHO in 1997 and is also an active member of the MBSHC. Since its foundation the service has co-operated with several hydrographic offices and has signed multiple bilateral agreements with them. The Service has made remarkable progress, thanks on the one side to its co-operation with partners and, on the other, to the great effort made by the Tunisian navy. Indeed, the service has acquired an automatic data collection and processing system in a first step and, lately, extremely modern cartographic software was purchased to enhance paper and ENC nautical chart production. All our hydrographic ships are equipped with differential GPS receivers and deep-water single-beam echo sounders.
The office is now looking to improve its capabilities and is in the process of acquiring a multi-beam system, for strict alignment with IHO standards. This especially now, as the Service has qualified personnel trained in different universities all over the world and is able to take upon itself the responsibility of securing navigation along our coasts.
As a short-term future projection, THOS is looking to promulgate its hydrographic course as a recognised IHO Category B course; meanwhile, the THOS continues periodic training of new personnel to meet increasing qualified manpower needs of the office.
|
