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hydrographic services under SOLAS Regulations. One of the aims of the IHO and the SWPHC is to
assist developing Island States in the region to establish an in-country capability to provide at least
updated hydrographic information to a charting authority as part of meeting their SOLAS obligations.
This goes hand in hand with seeking firm government commitments to support these capabilities.
At the meeting national reports and IHO activities were reviewed, especially those of the International
Hydrographic Bureau, the IHO Strategic Plan Working Group and the IHO Hydrographic Services and
Standards Committee. The participants discussed various topics of interest to the region and in
particular they referred to the progress of surveying operations, the coverage and technical details of
Electronic Navigational charts (ENCs), the developments with INT charts, and the coordination of
Maritime Safety Information (MSI).
Capacity Building for the region was discussed at length and several actions were identified and
prioritized based on work done in the technical workshop held on the first day of the meeting. As a
result, a number of Capacity Building proposals were to be presented to the next meeting of the IHO
Capacity Building Sub-Committee.
France agreed to continue to chair the Commission for the next two-year term, with New Zealand
continuing to serve as Vice–Chair.
Following a kind invitation from the Solomon Islands, the Commission decided to hold its 10th
meeting in Honiara in late 2010.
16th MEETING OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEAS REGIONAL
HYDROGRAPHIC COMMISSION (MBSHC)
Odessa, Ukraine, 22–24 September
Chair: Capt. ESSOUSSI (Tunisia)
Vice-Chair: Dr. SIMONENKO (Ukraine)
Members: Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France,
Greece, Italy, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania,
Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria,
Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
Associate Members: Bulgaria, Georgia, Israel, Malta,
Palestinian Authority, UK, USA.
Observers: Albania, Germany, Lebanon, DINMA, IOC,
PRIMAR.
IHB Representatives: Vice Admiral MARATOS,
Captain BERMEJO.
The 16th MBSHC Meeting was held at the Hotel Odessa in Odessa, hosted by the Ukrainian
Hydrographic Office, under the Chairmanship of Tunisia. Delegates from Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, France, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Malta, Romania, Russia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UK,
Ukraine and the IHB attended the meeting. Other international organizations were also present as
observers. Israel sent apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. The IHB was represented by
VAdm. MARATOS and Captain BERMEJO.