Hydrographic Geospatial Data Standards

TitleHydrographic Geospatial Data Standards
Publication TypeBook Section
Year2022
AuthorsKastrisios, C, Sullivan, BM, Powell, J, Baek, Y
Book TitleThe Geographic Information Science & Technology Body of Knowledge
Edition2nd Quarter 2022
KeywordsElectronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC), hydrography, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), Nautical cartography, Nautical Chart, S-100, S-57, safety of navigation

Coastal nations, through their dedicated Hydrographic Offices (HOs), have the obligation to provide nautical charts for the waters of national jurisdiction in support of safe maritime navigation. Accurate and reliable charts are essential to seafarers whether for commerce, defense, fishing, or recreation. Since navigation can be an international activity, mariners often use charts published from different national HOs. Standardization of data collection and processing, chart feature generalization methods, text, symbology, and output validation becomes essential in providing mariners with consistent and uniform products regardless of the region or the producing nation. Besides navigation, nautical charts contain information about the seabed and the coastal environment useful in other domains such as dredging, oceanography, geology, coastal modelling, defense, and coastal zone management. The standardization of hydrographic and nautical charting activities is achieved through various publications issued by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). This chapter discusses the purpose and importance of nautical charts, the establishment and role of the IHO in coordinating HOs globally, the existing hydrographic geospatial data standards, as well as those under development based on the new S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model.

 

DOI10.22224/gistbok/2022.2.5
Refereed DesignationRefereed