Page 25 - Bulletin 8 2004

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The Current Situation and International Requirements

It is important that navigational and charting information is available to all vessels that may
pass a coastal state and not only those on the States National Register. An exchange of data

between friendly states followed therefore, until, in 1920, an international organisation, the

International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), was formed. It is based in Monaco and is
tasked to foster the development of the skills of the hydrographer and cartographer, to

facilitate the exchange of data between states, and to standardise the format of presentation
of this information. The IHO has over 70 member states at present and over 50 affiliated

states.

The National or State Hydrographer initiates the collection of data and also acts as the co-

ordinator of any additional or corrective information that could originate from any source.
The accuracy and control of this information could result in the safe passage of the vessel

through the coastal waters of the state or it could be responsible for, or contribute to,

serious consequences. These include, loss of life, the loss of a vessel, the loss of large
quantities of material and, most importantly, serious damage to the environment. In the

Republic of South Africa the State Hydrographer and the Hydrographic Branch are to be
found within the South African Navy and are based at Silvermine Maritime Headquarters.

The advent of the computer era and the advances in surveying and cartographic and

navigational equipment have meant that greater and more accurate detail can be obtained

from the surveys in a shorter period of time. (Fig. 1.17). Two examples of bathymetric
detail are shown in Figures 1.18 & 1.19. In addition, the conventional paper chart is being

replaced by a video display. This display has many advantages in that it is able to provide
the same information normally found on a chart but combined with information from allied

navigational publications. There is greater flexibility of display and it is possible to
interface other real-time navigational aids such as RADAR into the display. The data