CL 11/2018

IHO File Nos. S3/4204 – S3/4244 CIRCULAR LETTER 11/2018 02 February 2018 ADOPTION OF REVISION 3.1.0 OF IHO PUBLICATION S-11 PART A - GUIDANCE FOR THE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL (INT) CHART AND ENC SCHEMES Reference: A CL 59/2017 dated 07 November – Review of the Arrangements for the Monitoring of INT Charts. Dear Hydrographer, 1. Reference A proposed the adoption of Revision 3.1.0 of IHO Publication S-11 Part A - Guidance for the Preparation and Maintenance of International (INT) Chart and ENC Schemes; and associated deletion of IHO Resolution 1/1992 – Monitoring of INT Charts – as recommended by the IHO Nautical Cartography Working Group (NCWG); and endorsed by the IHO Hydrographic Services and Standards Committee and IHO Council. 2. The Secretariat of the IHO thanks the 54 Member States that replied to Reference A: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela. 3. All 54 Member States supported the adoption of the Revision of S-11 Part A, and deletion of Resolution 1/1992. Five Member States offered comments in addition to their vote. These comments and the outcome of their review by the Chair of the NCWG are provided in Annex A to this Circular Letter. 4. When the Reference was issued there were 87 Member States of the IHO with three States suspended. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the IHO as amended, the minimum number of affirmative votes required was 28. As a result, and taking into account the editorial corrections reported in Annex A, the proposed Revision 3.1.0 of S-11 Part A has been adopted, and the associated deletion of IHO Resolution 1/1992 – Monitoring of INT Charts, has been approved. 5. Revision 3.1.0 (English and French versions) is available on the IHO website at: www.iho.int → Standards & Publications → S-11. The deletion of IHO Resolution 1/1992 will be included in the next Revision to M-3. On behalf of the Secretary-General Yours sincerely, Abri KAMPFER Director Annex A: Member States’ responses to IHO CL 59/2017 and comments from the Chair of the NCWG. Copy: Chair, NCWG Bathymetry - the Foundation for Sustainable Seas, Oceans and Waterways  Annex A to IHO CL 11/2018 MEMBER STATES’ RESPONSES TO IHO CL 59/2017 AND COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR OF THE NAUTICAL CARTOGRAPHY WORKING GROUP (NCWG) ADOPTION OF REVISION 3.1.0 OF IHO PUBLICATION S-11 PART A – GUIDANCE FOR THE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL (INT) CHART AND ENC SCHEMES CHILE In the understanding that ENCs, despite there is a certain homologation with INT Charts for the purpose of establishing “schemes”, they are not considered international charts. That is to say, that INT Chart concept and regulations do not apply to ENCs. Comment from the Chair of the NCWG: The observation from Chile is the principle reason that the guidance in S-11 Part A has been divided into separate sections for guidance on INT Chart schemes and guidance on ENC schemes. ESTONIA PART A: SECTION 100 page 8 section 3.10.3 For minor changes to INT schemes, see 3.12. refers to 3.12 Review. PART A: SECTION 200 page 16 3.9.4 For minor changes to ENC schemes, see 3.12. refers to 3.12 Maintenance. If the referral for both INT charts schemes and ENC schemes should refer to Review procedure then section 3.9.4 should refer to 3.11 Review. Comment from the Chair of the NCWG: The NCWG Chair thanks Estonia for its observation. The final published S-11 Part A Edition 3.1.0 will include this editorial amendment. INDIA Since the responsibility of INT Chart monitoring has been assigned to Regional Coordinators (S-11 Part ‘a’ section-100 3.14), the deletion of 1/1992 is appropriate. IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) Because of its importance, it is recommended to delete the last paragraph of 3.12.2 [sic] from “However, for major changes…….” to the end of the sentence, and add a new paragraph to read: “3.14 Monitoring of INT Charts The following procedure is to be implemented by the Regional INT Chart Coordinators (RINTC or the ICCWG): A Regional INT Coordinating Centre (RINTCC) can regionally resolve overlaps and gaps in coverage, ensure compliance with the IHO standards, provide a regionally consistent level of high quality data, and support the provision of co-ordinated end-user services for INT charts.” Comment from the Chair of the NCWG: The NCWG Chair thanks the Islamic Republic of Iran for its suggestion. While considered relevant, the suggested new text does not constitute a procedure for the monitoring of INT charts. However, this guidance does provide good background as to the principle roles that ICCWG can provide in the regional harmonization of INT Charts and ENC schemes. As such, this guidance has been included in the introductory paragraphs at 1.1 of section 100 and 1.2 of section 200, as follows (new text in red): Section 100, paragraph 1.1: ….. Regional Charting Groups or Committees, later re-titled International Charting Coordination Working Groups (ICCWG), may also exist at the regional level. These were set up following Decision 26 of the XII IHC in 1982 with “a primary objective of developing integrated schemes of International (INT) charts for the areas concerned”. They consist of any Member State with an interest in the charting of a particular region, and may provide recommendations to RHC in order to resolve overlaps and gaps in coverage; ensure compliance with the IHO standards; provide a regionally consistent level of high quality data; and support the provision of coordinated end-user services for INT charts. The coordinator of such a group is referred to as the Regional Coordinator (see Annex I), who advises and reports to the relevant RHC (see paragraph 3.10 of Annex I). Section 200, paragraph 1.2: ….. International Charting Coordination Working Groups (ICCWG) may also exist at the regional level, with ‘a primary objective of developing integrated schemes of International (INT) charts for the areas concerned’, which has since been extended to include ENC schemes. They consist of any Member State with an interest in the charting of a particular region, and may provide recommendations to RHC in order to resolve overlaps and gaps in ENC coverage; ensure compliance with the IHO standards; provide a regionally consistent level of high quality data; and support the provision of coordinated end- user services for ENCs. The coordinator of such a group is referred to as the Regional Coordinator, who advises and reports to the relevant RHC (see Annex I). UNITED KINGDOM UK recommend the following change to text 3.14.1.c – All INT Chart Producer Nations are to provide first editions and details of the new editions of INT charts to the relevant Regional INT Chart Coordinator (or ICCWG) at least three months prior to every RHC meeting to enable the Regional INT Chart Coordinator (or ICCWG) to validate the current INT chart scheme; Details of the new editions of INT charts should be sent rather than the charts themselves, as these are already included and available in the new online catalogue of INT charts. Comment from the Chair of the NCWG: The NCWG Chair thanks the United Kingdome for its suggested amendment. The final published S-11 Part A Edition 3.1.0 will include this clarification.