Calling All ECDIS Stakeholders
ECDIS

Calling All ECDIS Stakeholders

The IMO is considering a phased programme to make the carriage of ECDIS compulsory. This could mean that certain vessels be required to carry ECDIS from as early as 2008. In my view, this is the key t...

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The Use and Misuse of Nautical Charts
Chart

The Use and Misuse of Nautical Charts

My colleague Peter Johnson presented a paper at this year’s Canadian Hydrographic Conference explaining how Australia is implementing Zones of Confidence in its charts. The Zones of Confidence (ZOC)...

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Sir, Can I Use My ECDIS Now?
ECDIS

Sir, Can I Use My ECDIS Now?

July 2002 signalled a significant milestone in the long, tortuous life of ECDIS. It was the month that ECDIS was formally recognised (and specifically mentioned) in SOLAS Chapter V. It should have bee...

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Towards ECDIS Mandatory Carriage
ECDIS

Towards ECDIS Mandatory Carriage

The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are co-operating very closely to take appropriate action for the mandatory carriage of ECDIS to incr...

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Web-based GIS for Nautical Charts
GIS

Web-based GIS for Nautical Charts

The existence of Web-based Geographic Information System (Web-based GIS) will enable the Hydrographic Information System to integrate all the activities of a Hydrographic Office on a single integrated...

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Expanding the Customer (Data)base
GIS

Expanding the Customer (Data)base

A number of contributors to this column have discussed the benefits that information technologies bring to the conduct of hydrographic surveys and the production of nautical charts. Likewise, these te...

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Opening up the Seas
seafloor

Opening up the Seas

The resolution of object detection in the world’s oceans has increased exponentially during the past century, supporting engineering design of complex seafloor structures and leading to new sci...

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"Joined-up Hydrography"
FIG

"Joined-up Hydrography"

With the launch of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) later this year we bid a fond farewell to The Hydrographic Society (THS). Earlier this year, I attended the EGM of The ...

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New Light on an Old Science
geodesy

New Light on an Old Science

As we seek solutions to the challenges posed by the world's coastal areas, it is important to take advantage of the expanding range of applications brought by new technologies to the venerable practis...

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Hydrography by the State
tide

Hydrography by the State

Legislation varies from country to country, with respect to the definition of the maritime, fluvial and lacustrine spaces administered by the state. In general, the sea floor and the water column are ...

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A Retrospective View

A Retrospective View

Surveying Extremes - the Southern Frontier - Extending the Geographic and Technological Boundaries, is the theme for the first HYDRO conference ever down under in New Zealand, in the city of Christchu...

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The New Role of JHOD
Nautical charts

The New Role of JHOD

It has been long years since Japan started the hydrographic organisation now called Japan Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, JHOD, in 1872. The primary functions of the organisation have not b...

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