THIS CIRCULAR LETTER INVITES YOU TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
IHO File No. S3/2649
CIRCULAR LETTER 49/2017
29 August 2017
CALL FOR COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EDITION 1.0.0
OF NEW IHO PUBLICATION B-12 –
CROWDSOURCED BATHYMETRY GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
References:
A. EIHC5 – Decision No. 8 – Establishment of a CSBWG
B. IRCC Decisions 7/38 and 7/39 - Establishment of the CSBWG and appointment of the Chair
C. IHO CL 42/2015 dated 18 June - Establishment of the IHO Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry Working
Group (CSBWG)
D. IRCC Action 9/20 - Formally circulate draft IHO Guidance Document on Crowdsourced
Bathymetry
E. IHO Resolution 2/2007 as amended - Principles and Procedures for Making Changes to IHO
Technical Standards and Specifications
Dear Hydrographer,
1. The 5th Extraordinary International Hydrographic Conference (EIHC5) recognized the need to
examine how best to incorporate, manage and use bathymetric data acquired by non-conventional means,
such as through crowdsourcing. It was agreed that there was a need to develop appropriate principles and
guidelines to enable the appropriate collection and use of crowdsourced bathymetry for the benefit of all
stakeholders interested in knowing the shape and nature of the seafloor and its depths. As a result,
Decision 8 of EIHC5 (Reference A) instructed the Inter Regional Coordination Committee (IRCC) to:
… establish a Working Group to prepare a new IHO publication on policy for trusted crowd-sourced
bathymetry, taking into account EIHC5 PRO4 and the comments during the Conference. The WG should
comprise IHO MS and invited expert contributors, including members of IHO-IOC TSCOM. The WG should
seek advice and input from relevant HSSC Working Groups as required.
2. As instructed by EIHC5, the IRCC, at its 7th meeting in Mexico City, established a Crowdsourced
Bathymetry Working Group (CSBWG) (References B and C). In accordance with the CSBWG Terms
of Reference, which were endorsed by the IRCC, the CSBWG has now developed a draft guidance
document on Crowdsourced Bathymetry that sets out the key issues to be taken into account by those
considering CSB – both from a collector’s and a user’s perspective. The guidance document is intended
to provide general advice and information for those that may be considering collecting or using
crowdsourced bathymetry. It is not intended to be either prescriptive or authoritative, but rather to alert
those with an interest in CSB of a wide range of considerations relevant to any involvement in CSB.
3. In accordance with Reference D, the Chair of the IRCC has requested the IHO Secretariat to
circulate the first draft edition 1.0.0 of B-12 - IHO Guidance Document on Crowdsourced Bathymetry -
seeking comments from Member States, observer organizations and stakeholders.
Mapping our Seas, Oceans and Waterways - more important than ever
4. The draft edition 1.0.0 of B-12 will be considered by the CSBWG at its 6th meeting (CSBWG6 –
Monaco, 5-6 December 2017) and then submitted to Member States for approval, subject to endorsement
by the IRCC at its 10th meeting (Goa, India, 4-6 June 2018) and the IHO Council at its 2nd meeting in
October 2018.
5. In accordance with the processes of consultation required under Reference E, the draft edition of
B-12 is now available (in English only) on the IHO website at:
www.iho.int → Standards & Publications → Download → Draft Publications for discussion
6. Member States are invited to review the draft guidance document and to provide their comments
on the first draft edition 1.0.0 of B-12 to the IHO Secretariat at
[email protected]. Organizations accredited
as observers by the IHO and other stakeholders are also invited to provide their comments. The deadline
for comments is 24 November 2017.
On behalf of the Secretary-General
Yours sincerely,
Mustafa IPTES
Director
Distribution:
- IHO Member States
- Observer Organizations
- Stakeholders
Dear Hydrographer,
Please find attached herewith :
CL 49/2017 :
CALL FOR COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EDITION 1.0.0 OF NEW IHO PUBLICATION B-12 –
CROWDSOURCED BATHYMETRY GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Yours sincerely,
IHO
M.MOLLET