IHB File No. AB-4/S-5
CIRCULAR LETTER 90/2015
17 December 2015
ADOPTION OF THE NEW PUBLICATION S-5B EDITION 1.0.0
STANDARDS OF COMPETENCE FOR HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYORS, CATEGORY B
Reference: IHO CL 53/2015 dated 16 July - IHO Publication S-5B - Standards of Competence
for Hydrographic Surveyors, Category B - Request for Approval of New Publication
Dear Hydrographer,
1. The Circular Letter in Reference requested the approval of the new Publication S-5B -
Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors, Category B - Edition 1.0.0. The Directing
Committee would like to thank the following 46 Member States that replied to the Circular Letter:
Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus,
Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mauritius, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine,
United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.
2. All Member States supported the adoption of the new Publication S-5B. Ten Member States
offered comments. These comments and the outcome of their review by the Chair of the
FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and
Nautical Cartographers (IBSC) are provided in the Annex to this letter.
3. As of the date of issue of the Circular Letter in reference, there were 85 Member States of the
IHO with three States suspended. Therefore, in accordance with paragraph 6 of Article VI of the
Convention on the IHO, the majority required for adoption of the new publication is 42. As a result,
Edition 1.0.0 of IHO Publication S-5B has been adopted and will enter into force on 1 January 2016.
On behalf of the Directing Committee
Yours sincerely,
Mustafa IPTES
Director
Copy to: Chair, IBSC
Annex: Member States’ comments to IHO CL 53/2015 and comments from the IBSC Chair
Annex to IHO CL 90/2015
MEMBER STATES’ COMMENTS TO IHO CL 53/2015 AND COMMENTS FROM THE
IBSC CHAIR.
ADOPTION OF EDITION 1.0.0 OF IHO PUBLICATION S-5B:
STANDARDS OF COMPETENCE FOR HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYORS, CATEGORY B
AUSTRALIA
Thank you IBSC - a very good document.
BRAZIL
This Directorate approves the new IHO Publication S-5B, however we would like to stress that
subjects related to the element E2.1 LIDAR should be limited to theory, such as principles,
capabilities and limitations of the system.
IBSC Chair: The element E2.1 is intended to raise the awareness of Category B programme students
on the principles of LiDAR survey systems and how LiDAR data may complement coastal
hydrographic survey data. Coverage of this item does not preclude the operation of LiDAR nor
advanced processing techniques of LiDAR data.
CHILE
Element B5.3 Nautical charts
Comment: It seems that this Element, in the context of this standard, refers mainly to Paper Nautical
Charts. If that is the case, probably it is worth stating this. Nevertheless, we have noticed that there is
no mention or reference at all to ENC in the S-5B text. We think that at least a "description" should be
introduced as a learning outcome under this Element.
Elements
E2.1b Airborne LiDAR data products (says USE)
E2.1c Terrestrial LiDAR (says USE)
E2.2a Remotely sensed bathymetry (says DEMONSTRATE)
E2.2b Shoreline delineation (says DESCRIBE)
Comment: It seems that these four Elements should be examined to make them similar in the scope
of their learning outcomes. If it is expected that the student should be able to "Use topographic and
bathymetric LiDAR data to complement other spatial data" and "Use Terrestrial LiDAR data …..",
he/she should also be able also to" Use images and aerial photographs data to complement other
spatial data". Probably it is worth re-examining the wording of these Elements.
Element E4.3a Positioning fundamentals.
Comment: It seems that the learning outcome to "Correct gyros using astronomic methods." deserves
a re-examination. Firstly, it seems the subject should be called "Determine gyros' errors using
astronomic methods". Secondly, Why only astronomic methods? Is there any particular reason?
IBSC Chair:
B5.3, as part of Basics, does not include use and reference to ENC. ENC are covered in the E6.3d
item “Deliverable” under the learning outcome: “Describe hydrographic deliverables and produce
paper products as well as digital products in accordance with specifications and standards”.
E2.2b (shore delineation): Agree. This item will be modified as follows: “Describe geometrical
properties of images and use them to create a shoreline map from images and aerial photographs.
E4.3: Correct gyros error incorporates the determination of gyros errors. This method has been kept
to make the link with legacy positioning systems for which gyros are independent of attitude
measurement. Most of modern IMU/INS are capable of autonomous North finding and self-alignment.
Thus, to align with legacy practice, the use of astronomical methods has been kept in the Standards
under this element.
COLOMBIA
Colombia will submit the programme "Technology in Hydrography” of the Master Chief Petty
Officers Naval School "ARC Barranquilla" for recognition by the IBSC in accordance with the S-5B
1.0.0.
ECUADOR
This Member State agrees with the options in cartography that this standard proposes.
FRANCE
France regrets that, as it is described in S-5B, Part "B.5 Nautical Science" apparently can be
accomplished without any practical sea experience; this reservation was raised in SHOM’s letter N°
35 SHOM/DMI/NP of 13 May 2015 in reply to CL 31/2015 of 10 April 2015.
IBSC Chair:
The IBSC consider that the objective of learning outcomes as described in part B5 are to raise
awareness on safety issues related to hydrographic operations. Part B5 also requires practical sea
experience to use and deploy seabed instrument and towed equipment. The IBSC recommends that B5
items should be also – if possible- covered by the Comprehensive Final Field Project, in teaching
safety good practice in relation to these items
ITALY
Italy approves, even though we have had no feedback on the suggestions submitted last May, which
we feel should be taken into account. Please find the above suggestions enclosed herewith:
Element Content Learning outcomes
B 1.2 (iii) outlines on series and
integrals
B 1.5 (ii) variance – covariance …… observables’ variance –
propagation law covariances
B 1.6 (ii) variance and covariance
of……
B 4.1 Earth’s structure and Plate tectonics, earthquakes and Principles of internal structure,
ocean shape volcanoes physical characters and
Lithological cycle and different dynamics of the Earth referring
types of rocks to ocean basin structure
Sedimentary cycle Ocean bottom as a
multilayered structure
composed of sediment deposits
B 5.5 Put item (iii) in the first position
(i) and the others consequently
E 4.1 (ii) Definitions of astronomical
coordinates and time
(vii) Examples of modern
geodetic reference systems and
frames
E 4.2 Angle, distance and area
distortion associated with map
projections
E 7.2a Ocean basin (i) Seafloor spreading, ocean Identify and describe shape of
basin structure and the ocean, features of the
continental margin seabed and coastal areas in
(ii) Seafloor dynamics as order to describe ocean
evidence of plate tectonics evolution and surface
dynamics.
E 7.2.b Magnetic surveys (i) Earth’s magnetic field and General knowledge of Earth’s
anomalies magnetic fields and relevant
uses…
E 7.2c Seismic surveys (v) Principles of seismic …Distinguish between noise,
stratigraphy outliers and real seafloor
features and sub-seafloor
geometry
E 7.2.d Earth gravity field Earth gravity field and its Measuring of the gravity field
variations
E 7.2e Seafloor feature (i) The shape of the seafloor and Describe the major
sub-seafloor stratigraphic geomorphological structures
horizons and processes affecting coastal
(ii) Sedimentary processes and morphology and ocean bottom
structures in marine and Explain the sedimentary
coastal environment process effects (erosion,
(iii) Marine and coastal transport and deposition) on
geomorphology seabed topography, with
special reference to shallow
waters.
Survey data use for geo-hazard
detection, seafloor stability
monitoring,
dredging/excavation operations
and seabed mapping
E 7.2f Seabed nature (i) Seabed sampling methods Explain the purpose of seabed
and sediment sampling sampling, detailing sampling
techniques such as grabs, equipment and how samples
corers, dredges are stored and analyzed.
(ii) Basic sediment types Identify and recognize
(iii) Geotechnical properties of different types of seabed. Geo-
seafloor sediments acoustic properties of the
(iv) Different seabed seabed
characteristics Study seabed sediments as
geotechnical properties using
sediment samples and
geophysical data
IBSC Chair: The IBSC thanks Italy for its accurate review and proposition of modification of S-5B.
Suggestions on items B1.2, B1.5, B.1.6, B4.1 (partially), B5.5 (Earth magnetic field is now the first
item), E7.2b (partially) are agreed and S-5B first edition will be modified accordingly. Suggested
modifications on items E4.2, E7.2a, E7.2c, E7.2d, E7.2e and E7.2f seems not relevant, as they are
either already covered by other items of the S-5B, or not considered at Category B level.
PORTUGAL
The Portuguese Hydrographic Institute welcomes the revision of the standards of Competence
for Hydrographic Surveyors Category B. The program offered in this Institute is very much in line
with the proposal. The structure of the course will be revised to be in accordance with this publication
and will be ready for a new accreditation submission in 2016/2017.
SAUDI ARABIA
Existing recognitions must be continued till their approved validity period expires.
IBSC Chair: S-5B will be in force by January 2016. Institutions should re-submit their programme
after the six years regular period of recognition.
UNITED KINGDOM
The UK responded in May of 2015 to IHO CL 31 of 2015 with a series of comments in relation to the
proposed S-5B document. With the latter now ready for adoption, the following are the final
comments in regard to this, many of which remain extant.
The syllabus outlined in the S-5B reflects modern survey industry developments with amends to the
syllabus being well considered and there are no objections to any of these.
The desire to separate the Cat A and Cat B courses (with the Cat B being more practically based) is
understood but it is considered that the development of the ‘experienced surveyor’ hinges on
progression of survey skills which are best developed through life. Thus, the UK continues to consider
that there remains a natural link for progression from Cat B to Cat A. The fact that the revised Cat A
syllabus has yet to be made available makes it very difficult to entirely assess the LOs of the S-5B in
this wider context. To this end, it is considered important that the Cat A syllabus retains sufficient
links with the Cat B syllabus to permit institutions to utilise skills and knowledge gained on the latter
in progression towards the former. It is requested that this be taken into account in the drafting of the
S-5A.
Whilst the issue of course length has been much discussed in previous iteration of the S-5 document
(most recently for the December 2014 Edition 11.1.0 of the S-5, where the UK’s view was made
clear) and there is no desire to entirely revisit this subject, the removal of options merits a further
comment. With the Cat B course now having a defined minimum length, removing options will
potentially impact adversely on institutions which rely on such to target industry students. In
particular, the UK’s Royal Navy relies on the syllabus material previously contained in the military
hydrography option. By defining a minimum course length, changing core syllabus items and
removing options, institutions will potentially be harder-pressed to incorporate syllabus items from
optional subjects. It is hoped that this fact will be borne in mind when such institutions submit their
Cat B accreditation requests.
In summary, the UK considers the link between the S-5A and S-5B to be of huge importance and,
whilst accepting some necessary divergence due to the more developed skill-set required of the Cat A
surveyor, would still wish to see these two programmes continue to support each other. With the draft
of the S-5A still ongoing, it is hoped that this can be taken into account.
IBSC Chair: As it has been previously stated by the IBSC, it is acknowledged that institutions offering
Category A programmes with a clear continuation link with a Category B programme will still be
able to include the time allocated to it when submitting a Category A programme.
From: REG <
[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 1:25 PM
To: 'Argentina'; 'Argentina'; 'Australia'; 'Australia'; 'Bahrain';
'Bahrain';
'Bangladesh'; 'Bangladesh3'; 'Banglasedh2'; 'Belgium'; 'Belgium';
'Belgium';
'Belgium'; 'Belgium'; 'Belgium'; 'Brazil'; 'Brazil'; 'Brunei'; 'Brunei';
'Canada';
'Canada'; 'Chile'; 'Chile'; 'China'; 'China'; 'Croatia'; 'Croatia';
'Croatia'; 'Cuba';
'Cuba'; 'Cyprus'; 'Denmark'; 'Denmark'; 'Denmark'; 'DomRep'; 'DPRK';
'DPRK';
'Egypt-ENHG'; T�nis Siilanarusk; VA_hnt; 'Fiji'; 'Fiji'; 'Finland';
'France';
'Georgia'; 'Germany'; 'Germany'; 'Germany'; 'Greece'; 'Greece';
'Guatemala';
'Iceland'; 'India'; 'India'; 'Indonesia'; 'Indonesia'; 'Iran'; 'Iran';
'Iran'; 'Iran';
'Ireland'; 'Italy'; 'Jamaica'; 'Japan'; 'Korea'; 'Kuwait'; 'Latvia';
'Malaysia';
'Malaysia'; 'Mauritius'; 'Mauritius'; 'Mauritius'; 'Montenegro';
'Mozambique';
'Mozambique'; 'Mozambique'; 'Myanmar'; 'Myanmar'; 'Myanmar';
'Myanmar'; 'Netherlands'; 'NewZealand'; 'Nigeria'; 'Norway'; 'Oman';
'Oman';
'Pakistan'; 'PapuaNG'; 'Philippines'; 'Poland'; 'Portugal'; 'Portugal';
'Portugal';
'Qatar'; 'Romania'; 'Russia'; 'SAfrica'; 'SaudiArabia'; 'SaudiArabia';
'Singapore';
'Slovenia'; 'Slovenia'; 'SriLanka'; 'Suriname'; 'Suriname'; 'Suriname';
'Sweden';
'Sweden'; 'Syria'; 'Thailand'; 'Thailand'; 'Thailand'; 'Tonga'; 'Tonga';
'Trinidad';
'Trinidad'; 'Tunisia'; 'Tunisia'; 'Turkey'; 'UAE'; 'Ukraine'; 'Ukraine';
'UnitedKingdom'; 'Uruguay'; 'USNAVY'; 'USNOAA'; 'USNOAA'; 'USNOAA';
'USNOAA'; 'USNOAA'; 'Venezuela'; 'Vietnam'; 'Astrid.Kalvik'; 'C
Andreasen';
'Celine Buisson Rosvold'; 'ECC'; 'eva.hegland'; 'hs-varna';
'ilda.becirovic'; 'info';
'inst.cartograf'; 'J Lowell NGA'; 'J Rogers NGA'; 'jacek.jagodzinski'; 'K
Alexander
NGA'; 'Minika Bjorge'; 'P Doherty NGA'; 'solvi.tunge'; 'stig.osaland';
'svein.skjaeveland'; 'tonje.mevatne'; 'tore.halset'
Cc:
[email protected];
[email protected]
Subject: CL 90/2015
Attachments: CL90-15.pdf
Dear Hydrographer,
Please find attached herewith :
CL 90/2015 : ADOPTION OF THE NEW PUBLICATION S-5B EDITION 1.0.0
STANDARDS OF COMPETENCE FOR HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYORS, CATEGORY B
Yours sincerely,
IHB
M.MOLLET