international hydrographic organization 2003 - IHO

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Capt. Mike BARRITT, RN (ret) provided a thorough presentation on the need for, and method of,
updating S-55, The Status of Hydrography and Nautical Cartography Worldwide. Especially in the
SAIHC region, it is critical that the Commission contact non-Member States and provide assistance in
answering the questionnaire to any state in the region as necessary.
The proceedings of the recent IHO Capacity Building Committee were discussed and a presentation on
the NORSEA project was provided. The NORSEA project has been endorsed by the SADC, but no
funding agency has stepped forward to provide assistance. A project proposing the development of a
Marine Electronic Highway for the region from the Seychelles, through the Madagascar Strait and
around the coast of South Africa has been formulated and is believed to be generating initial funding
interest.
The initiatives of the WEND Task Group were presented and methods of enhancing the production of
ENCs discussed. Acknowledging the rudimentary state of data collection and charting in much of the
region, this Commission must work hard on seeking out assistance projects that advance the current
state of affairs.
The UK presented a proposal for coastal states to host a web site where critical safety information
could be retrieved. This would be in addition to the Notice to Mariners and serve as a back-up
mechanism for the dissemination of such information.
South Africa was elected the next Chairman with Mozambique serving as Vice Chairman. Mauritius
was proposed as the next venue, in anticipation of their admittance into the Organization. The need to
accelerate the schedule for the next regular meeting was discussed but the members were in favour of
calling for an extraordinary meeting, if needed, to discuss SPWG issues before the Extraordinary
International Hydrographic Conference scheduled for April 2005. Therefore, the next regular
Commission meeting will be September or October 2005.
The meeting adjourned and the delegates were given a tour of Walvis Bay aboard a Namport Tug. The
degree of hospitality and organization provided by Namport cannot be overstated! The arrangements
for the meeting place, for transportation to the meetings and functions, the administrative assistance
and the reception, lunches and Gala dinner were exceptional.
ROPME SEA AREA HYDROGRAPHIC COMMISSION (RSAHC)
Chairperson:
Vice-Chairperson:
Members:
Associated members:
Observers:
Dr. M.R. GHADERI (Iran)
Last Meeting: Monaco, 14/4/02
Next Meeting: 2004
Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment
(ROPME), Middle East Navigation Service (MENAS).
The ROPME Sea Area Hydrographic Commission planned to have a meeting in Muscat, Oman, in the
second quarter of 2003. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances the meeting was postponed to
a later date. The IHB has made all possible efforts and has taken proper coordination actions without
success. The IHB has also offered its headquarterd to host the second meeting of this Commission. It
is expected that a meeting would take place during 2004.
IHO HYDROGRAPHIC COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTICA (HCA)
Chairperson:
Vice-Chairperson:
Captain H. GORZIGLIA (IHB)
Captain F. MINGRAM (Chile)