Strengthening Cooperation in Hydrographic Surveying and Charting of Antarctic Waters
The Representatives,
Considering that reliable hydrographic data and nautical charts are essential to safe maritime operations;
Noting the increase in marine traffic, particularly tourist vessels, in the Antarctic region;
Concerned about the increased risk of harm to ships, persons and the environment in inadequately charted waters in the region;
Noting that the collection of accurate survey data will improve navigational safety and support scientific research;
Recognising the role of the International Hydrographic Organization Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA) in the coordination of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting in the Antarctic region, and the value of cooperating with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other relevant expert bodies;
Recalling Recommendation XV-19 (1989), Resolution 1 (1995), Resolution 3 (2003), Resolution 5 (2008) and Resolution 2 (2010), which encouraged cooperation on hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters;
Recommend that the Parties:
1. support and promote contacts and liaison between national Antarctic programs and national hydrographic offices;
2. increase their mutual cooperation in the hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters in order to contribute to safety of navigation, safeguarding life at sea, protection of the Antarctic environment, support of scientific activities, and furtherance of responsible economic activity; collaborating within, as appropriate, the framework(s) of national Antarctic programs, national hydrographic offices, the HCA and the International Chart scheme;
3. co-ordinate their hydrographic surveying and charting activities through the HCA and cooperate with it to:
a. clarify requirements for the collection of hydrographic data of sufficient quality and accuracy for use in the development of electronic and paper navigational charts, being cognisant of the emerging challenges and opportunities faced in the digital navigation era;
b. identify priority areas for the collection of additional hydrographic and bathymetric data;
c. complete their inventory of data holdings and give high importance to liaison between Parties on future planned hydrographic surveys in order to avoid duplication of effort; and
4. encourage national Antarctic program vessels and all other vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area to collect hydrographic and bathymetric data including passage soundings on all Antarctic voyages, as practicable; to forward any hydrographic and bathymetric data collected to the relevant international chart producer for charting action; and to endeavour to find additional resources to improve hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region.
The Representatives,
Considering that reliable hydrographic data and nautical charts are essential to safe maritime operations;
Noting the increase in marine traffic, particularly tourist vessels, in the Antarctic region;
Concerned about the increased risk of harm to ships, persons and the environment in inadequately charted waters in the region;
Noting that the collection of accurate survey data will improve navigational safety and support scientific research;
Recognising the role of the International Hydrographic Organization Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA) in the coordination of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting in the Antarctic region, and the value of cooperating with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other relevant expert bodies;
Recalling Recommendation XV-19 (1989), Resolution 1 (1995), Resolution 3 (2003), Resolution 5 (2008) and Resolution 2 (2010), which encouraged cooperation on hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters;
Recommend that the Parties:
1. support and promote contacts and liaison between national Antarctic programs and national hydrographic offices;
2. increase their mutual cooperation in the hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters in order to contribute to safety of navigation, safeguarding life at sea, protection of the Antarctic environment, support of scientific activities, and furtherance of responsible economic activity; collaborating within, as appropriate, the framework(s) of national Antarctic programs, national hydrographic offices, the HCA and the International Chart scheme;
3. co-ordinate their hydrographic surveying and charting activities through the HCA and cooperate with it to:
a. clarify requirements for the collection of hydrographic data of sufficient quality and accuracy for use in the development of electronic and paper navigational charts, being cognisant of the emerging challenges and opportunities faced in the digital navigation era;
b. identify priority areas for the collection of additional hydrographic and bathymetric data;
c. complete their inventory of data holdings and give high importance to liaison between Parties on future planned hydrographic surveys in order to avoid duplication of effort; and
4. encourage national Antarctic program vessels and all other vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area to collect hydrographic and bathymetric data including passage soundings on all Antarctic voyages, as practicable; to forward any hydrographic and bathymetric data collected to the relevant international chart producer for charting action; and to endeavour to find additional resources to improve hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region.
