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You are in:  Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 151

SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Resolution 3 (2003)
Co-operation in Hydrographic Survey and Charting of Antarctic Waters

The Representatives,

Noting that, in response to Recommendation XV-19 and Resolution 1 (1995), the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) has established, amongst its Member States, a Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA) with the aim of co-ordinating hydrographic survey in the region and producing international nautical charts within the standards of the IHO;
Welcoming the report introduced by the Director of the IHO on progress that is being made by the HCA in the production of the international (INT) scheme of nautical charts for Antarctic waters, though noting that substantial further works remains to be done;
Recalling that the INT chart scheme for Antarctica has been agreed by IHO Member States and that a number of them have volunteered to assist with chart production;
Recognising that the HCA routinely liaises with SCAR in the support of scientific research requiring hydrographic products;
Noting also the valuable contribution to the INT chart scheme by SCAR, COMNAP and IAATO;
Noting further the entry into force of a revised version of Chapter V of the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea on 1 July 2002 and in particular its Regulation 9 on Hydrographic Services;
Cognisant of the importance of accurate and up-to-date nautical charts as an essential aid to the safety of navigation in Antarctic waters;
Recommend that:

1. All Consultative Parties with a hydrographic surveying and charting capability in Antarctic waters encourage their national authorities to redouble their efforts to:

• Co-ordinate their hydrographic surveying and charting activities through the IHO’s Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica;
• Support and contribute to the ongoing development of the INT chart scheme for Antarctic waters agreed by the IHO;
• Promote the international nature of their Antarctic activities particularly when seeking national support for hydrographic surveying and charting priorities.

2. The IHO Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica continue its endeavours to achieve comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of hydrographic charting and chart production through the INT scheme for Antarctic waters;

3. The item on Co-operation in Hydrographic Surveying and Charting of Antarctic Waters be again included in the agenda of the XXVII ATCM.