application FROM THE HYDROGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA (THSOA) TO BE GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

IHB File S1/5517/USA CIRCULAR LETTER 40/2015 10 June 2015 APPLICATION FROM THE HYDROGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA (THSOA) TO BE GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Reference A: IHO Resolution 5/1957 as amended - IHO Relations with other Organizations Dear Hydrographer, 1. Earlier this year, the Directing Committee received an application from The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA) to be granted observer status as a Non-Governmental International Organization (NGIO) under the terms of Reference A. 2. THSOA represents a membership of nearly 600 individuals and corporate members that are employed in hydrography and related activities worldwide. A number of THSOA members already participate actively in the IHO Work Programme as invited Expert Contributors and in collaborative capacity building efforts as employees of participating commercial companies. 3. THSOA was formed in 1980 and is composed of individual members and corporate members supporting worldwide marine businesses, governments and academia. The THSOA comprises four local chapters of its members in Houston, Southeast (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida), West Coast (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California) and Latin America (encompassing Mexico, the Caribbean and through to Chile and Argentina). THSOA provides a forum for the exchange and advancement of hydrographic science and technology through its biennial Hydrographic Conferences. These major conferences include significant international participation for the spread of new hydrographic science and technology. In conjunction with each THSOA Hydro Conference, short- term training workshops are held on various hydrographic technologies, particularly to provide short- term educational updating for operational hydrographic surveyors. 4. THSOA is engaged directly in capacity building through its support of potential hydrographic surveyors by funding students of marine sciences through a THSOA Student Outreach programme providing them with exposure to the hydrographic industry. 5. Academically, THSOA provides students with scholarships for hydrographic studies at all levels of hydrographic competence - Categories A and B and up to PhD studies in hydrography. In conjunction with the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), THSOA provides major support to THSOA/National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) examination and subsequent certification of US Hydrographic Surveyors meeting the Category A or B standards developed by the IHO/FIG/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors. 6. The application from THSOA has been duly examined by the Directing Committee which is satisfied that THSOA meets the requirements for accreditation as an NGIO as described in IHO Resolution 5/1957 as amended, in that:  it has the profile of a non-government international organization, representing individuals and organizations in the American continents with an interest in surveying in the hydrospace,  the objectives and functions of the THSOA are in keeping with the objectives of the IHO, as defined in Article II of the Convention on the IHO,  it has a governing body, an executive officer and a secretariat authorized under its constitution to speak for its members,  it will continue, as at present, to make a substantial contribution to the work of the IHO. 7. Member States are kindly invited to consider the application from THSOA for accreditation and to submit any objections or comments that they might have by 15 August 2015. Subsequently, the Directing Committee will notify THSOA of the outcome of its consultation with the IHO Member States. On behalf of the Directing Committee, Yours sincerely, Robert WARD President