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South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) Technical WorkshopHeld at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Suva, Fiji on 10 November 2004REPORT1. Opening Remarks1.1 Mr Felix Maharaj (Chair, SWPHC) welcomed all delegates to the SWPHC Technical Workshop,which focussed on Hydrographic Capability and MSI/GMDSS issues. A total of 27 personsattended, representing various organisations from 12 countries and the IHB. A list of theparticipants appears as Annex 1.1.2 Rear Admiral Kenneth Barbor (Director, IHB) stated that the Workshop would provide memberswith a basis for formulating a Capacity Building plan for the South West Pacific region. Thiswould include making necessary recommendations to the IHO Capacity Building Committee(IHOCBC), in order for the IHO to address this region.2. Presentations & DiscussionThe following five presentations were made during the Workshop:2.1 ‘The Importance of Hydrography’ (by Captain Hugo Gorziglia, IHB)2.1.1 Captain Gorziglia presented an informative paper covering the following wide-ranging aspects:I. INTRODUCTION- What is Hydrography?; Traditional Uses and New Applications of HydrographyII. HYDROGRAPHIC EVOLUTION- Positioning; Depth Determination; Hydrographic Data BasesIII. NAUTICAL CARTOGRAPHY EVOLUTION- Traditional; Computer Assisted; Digital; ENCIV. MODERN CHALLENGES- Commercial Approach; Other Products; Cultural Changes; H.O.s Re-EngineeringV. INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO- UNCLOS 1985; U.N. Resolution, 1998; SOLAS Convention Chapter V 2002; U.N. ResolutionA/RES/58/240 20032.1.2 The Workshop participants noted the importance of U.N. Resolution A/RES/58/240 (2003),wherein the United Nations has raised “Capacity Building”. Hence it was vital for Members toprovide input for populating IHO Publication S-55, so as to enable the IHB to report to the U.N.Similarly under SOLAS V Regulation 9 (Hydrographic Services), nations have the obligation toarrange for the collection and compilation of hydrographic data and the publication,dissemination and keeping up to date of all nautical information necessary for safe navigation.2.2 ‘The Three Stages of Development of Hydrographic Capability’ (by Mr Michel le Gouic,SHOM, France)2.2.1 The paper examined the three phases generally involved in the development of a nationalhydrographic capability, as follows:1

Phases of DevelopmentPhase OneThe collection and circulation ofnautical information, necessary tomaintain existing charts andpublications up to date.National Activity• Form National Maritime Safety Committee• Create/Improve current infrastructure to collect andcirculate information• Strengthen links with charting authority to enableupdating of charts and publications• Minimal training needed.Phase TwoCreation of a surveying capability toconduct:Coastal projectsOffshore projects.• Establish capacity to enable surveys of ports and theirapproaches• Maintain adequate aids to navigation• Build capacity to enable surveys in support of coastaland offshore areas• Requires funding for training & equipment or contractsurvey work.Phase ThreeProduce charts and publicationsindependently.• Is Phase 3 needed?(requires high investment for production, distributionand updating)• Alternatively, bi-lateral agreements for charting canprovide easier solutions and rewards.2.3 ‘Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System(GMDSS)’ (by Mr Lynn Walton, Australian Maritime Safety Authority)2.3.1 An informative presentation which provided an overview of the GMDSS services in Australiaand detailed on the MSI aspects, i.e. navigational and meteorological broadcasts and other safetyrelated messages to all business at sea. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)’sRescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) issues two main types of warnings, coastalwarnings and long range warnings, as follows:Coastal Warnings (using Inmarsat-C Enhanced Group Call (EGC))Two types:• Coastal Navigation Warnings (AUSCOAST series) – in respect of navigational aids anddangers to navigation in Australian coastal area• Sea Safety Messages (SSM series) – issued to cover dangers such as floating objects etc, andnormally broadcast for a short durationLong Range Navigational Warnings (NAVAREA X)Australia is the area Coordinator for NAVAREA X, and promulgates these warnings on Inmarsat-C. NAVAREA X warnings are issued in respect of navigational aids or dangers outside theAustralian coastal areas.2.3.2 The Workshop discussion dwelt on the need for a system to be developed for gathering theregional information (MSI) and communicating it to the relevant navigational warning coordinators(Australia and New Zealand). It was decided to recommend to the IHO CBC that theIHB, in consultation with SWPHC, arrange for a Technical Visit be made to all countries in theSW Pacific to assess what process is in place regarding the implementation of GMDSS. This is akey component of Phase 1 Capability.2

Action:Chair SWPHC recommend to IHOCBC that the IHB, in consultation with theSWPHC, arrange for a Technical Visit to all countries in the SW Pacific toassess the status of implementation of GMDSS.2.4 ‘The Importance of Accurate Nautical Information’ (by Mr Andrew Kilbride, UK)2.4.1 Mr Kilbride’s presentation highlighted the importance of obtaining accurate and timelyinformation in order to maintain charts for safety of navigation. Specific importance of the safetyinformation, and making it available to the maritime community as rapidly as possible, wasoutlined as follows:Issues at StakeMaritime safety; Lives in danger, Environmental damage; Part of a global safety systemIs there a Penalty for Inactivity?Risks of accidents greatly increased; International trade will lose confidence; Shipping willchoose alternatives; Liability and litigation; Environmental impact; Economic stagnation (throughloss of trade)How can we address the Maritime Safety issue and what benefits will follow?Risk reduction; Cost benefits; Increased trade; Heightened profileSpecific Types of Information which require immediate notificationChanges or defects in Aids to Navigation (Buoyage – Lit; Unlit; Out of position)Dangers revealed in new surveys ( Shoal depths; Dangerous rocks; Obstructions)Wrecks (Vessel type, size, position)Ports & Coastal DevelopmentsNew constructions; new ports; berths, breakwaters, new fairways, dredged channel, etcDetailed Information Required for Chart UpdatingAccurate position (Lat & Long); Horizontal & Vertical datums; WGS 84; Positioning systems;Plans and Drawings; PhotographsEstablishing A Maritime Information OrganisationWhat needs to be done; Establish a focal point with responsibility for the co-ordination andcommunication of maritime safety information worldwide – Navigational Warnings, Notices toMariners, etc; Set up links with minor ports that will feed information to the focal point; ObtainInternet web page and issue own MSI.Funding the SystemLobby government on the importance of the efficient management of MSI to trade and theprotection of the marine environment.Getting SupportLegislation may help – e.g. all changes in national waters must be reported.Getting the InformationIdentify sources and establish system for liaison, e.g. Port Authorities, Land Survey Dept,offshore industry and commercial surveyors.CommunicationSpeed is essential - telex, email, fax.Who to contactNAVAREA co-ordinators – Australia, New ZealandCharting HO2.4.2 The Workshop participants noted that local authorities can ensure prompt collection and timelypromulgation of important navigational information. Therefore the issue of improving thecommunication system in the region could be taken up in the discussions with government3

officials during the proposed Technical Visit to SW Pacific. All nations were requested toprovide contact details of their MSI focal points to the SWPHC secretariat, for subsequentdissemination among the participants.Actions:1. All nations to provide contact details of their MSI focal points to SWPHCsecretariat, which will arrange to collate the information and distribute it toall SW Pacific nations.2. Issue of improving the communication system in the region (relating to MSI)to be discussed during the proposed Technical Visit to SW Pacific.2.5 ‘Training Opportunities’ (by Captain Hugo Gorziglia, IHB)2.5.1 Captain Gorziglia provided a comprehensive presentation on training opportunities, covering thefollowing aspects:GeneralConcept of ‘Training’; Identifying needs and timely provision of Training; Selection of Traineesand Post Training considerations.Standards‘Standards for Hydrographic Surveyors’ and ‘Standards for Nautical Cartographers’- Categories (Cat A and Cat B)- Knowledge Level (Fundamental/Practical/Detailed)- Minimum Programme (Basics/Essentials/Options)CoursesIHO Publication S-47 detailed existing courses (worldwide)In the Region- Australia (RAN Hydro Cat B course)- New Zealand (University of Otago Hydro Cat A course)Some Free Courses- IMA; India; UK- Others on Bilateral ArrangementsSpecial Tailored Courses- Multibeam course- Data Management- ENC (Production, Distribution, Maintenance)- MSI/GMDSS- Strategic Importance of Hydrography- Others as neededDraft Project ProposalTitle: ‘Developing Hydrographic Capabilities in West/Central Africa, an IHOCBC Project’.Immediate Objective: To raise awareness at governmental level on the importance ofhydrography regarding safety to navigation and its contribution to the national economicdevelopment.Participants: Future or existing national Hydrographic Committee Chairmen (NHC) or similar.Phase 1/3 ContentIdentification profile of participantsIdentify content of the course- Technology, Economy, Infrastructure, Defence, Statecrafts, Regional opportunities,International Environment, Legal Aspects.4

Identify resources neededLetter of invitationOrganise detailsRun the courseConclusions1. Training opportunities exist, but to take advantage of them an effort is needed to preciselyidentify WHAT and WHEN is needed.2. Built awareness at a high governmental level seems to be mandatory to assure that the effortdone in training will have long lasting and multiplying effect.3. THE IHOCBC should be informed by the SWPHC on the applicability of an initiative suchas the one prepared for the West/Central African Countries, regarding the organisation of acourse for NHC or similar.2.5.2 Following discussion on the issue of training, the participants reiterated the need for a TechnicalVisit to the SW Pacific nations that needed high level support to better establish hydrographiccapability. Such a visit (by a Director of the IHB and one or two senior members of the SWPHC)to the relevant Ministers or Departmental Heads in each country would explain the importance ofhydrography to a nation and the need for local hydrographic skills. The Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC) would assist in providing SWPHC with the contact details of persons in theSW Pacific to be visited. The SWPHC Chair would write to the nations regarding the proposedvisit, and the correspondence copied to the IHB, SPC and IMO. Upon receipt of the responses, aVisit Programme will be developed, taking guidance from the West/Central Africa model.Actions:1. SPC to provide SWPHC Chair with contact details of relevant Ministers orDepartmental Heads in each SW Pacific nation (for the proposed visit).2. SWPHC Chair to write to nations regarding the proposed visit, extendingcopies of the correspondence to the IHB, SPC and IMO.3. SWPHC Chair and IHB to develop a Visit Programme, taking guidancefrom the West/Central Africa model.2.5.3 The Workshop noted that the IHOCBC would be holding its next meeting at the same venue inSuva over the next two days (11-12 November 2004). As such it was decided that the SWPHCrepresentative to IHOCBC (Captain Bruce Kafer) would request the CBC for allocation offunding for the proposed Technical Visit.Action:Captain Kafer to request IHOCBC for allocation of funding to SWPHC for theproposed Technical Visit to the SW Pacific nations.3. Conclusion3.1 The Workshop provided an excellent opportunity for representatives from the SW Pacific nationsand the IHB to gain a greater insight into the MSI issues in the region and also discuss the wayahead for developing hydrographic capability in the region. The participants were appreciative ofthe very comprehensive presentations, which covered a broad scope ranging from strategic totechnical aspects._______________________________________5

ANNEX 1South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) Technical WorkshopHeld at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Suva, Fiji on 10 November 2004List of ParticipantsName Organisation Country1. Captain Bruce Kafer Australian Hydrographic Office Australia2. Mr Jasbir Randhawa Australian Hydrographic Office Australia3. Mr Lynn Walton Australian Maritime Safety Authority Australia4. Mr Felix Maharaj Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration Fiji5. Mr Philip Hill Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration Fiji6. Mr Gerald Rokoua Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration Fiji7. Mr Viliame Cataki Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration Fiji8. Mr Eroni Vunisa Fiji Navy Fiji9. Mr Michel Le Gouic French Hydrographic Office (SHOM) France10. Mr Yashuiro Oyamada Japan Hydrographic Association Japan11. Mr Miteti Abete Marine Division Kiribati12. Mr John Spittal Land Information New Zealand New Zealand13. Mr Pekou Chakumai Department of Transport Papua New Guinea14. Mr Leo Bartley M.W.T.I Samoa15. Mr Paul M Teferomu Department of Land and Survey Solomon Islands16. Dr Peter Wright U.K. Hydrographic Office United Kingdom17. Mr Andrew Kilbride U.K. Hydrographic Office United Kingdom18. Captain Mike Barritt U.K. Hydrographic Office / IHO United Kingdom19. Mr Doug Crowin Naval Oceanographic Office United States of America20 Mr Enos Tari Survey Department Vanuatu21. Mr Baskar Rao South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission -22. Mr Jens Kruger South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission -23. Miss Megan Streeter Secretariat of the Pacific Community -24. Mr Fagaloa Tufuga Secretariat of the Pacific Community -25. Radm. Kenneth Barbor International Hydrographic Bureau -26. Capt. Hugo Gorziglia International Hydrographic Bureau -27. Capt. Federico Bermejo International Hydrographic Bureau -6