Investigative Report Unveiled in Issue 20
The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) has made significant strides in improving the depth contour generation for Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs), setting a leading example for other Hydrographic Offices (HOs) worldwide.
The AHO's innovative developments include the integration of high-resolution bathymetric data, AI-based routing and avoidance features, and community-sourced updates. This is evident in Furuno's TZ MAPS on NavNet TZtouchXL system, a system the AHO and other maritime entities have adopted. These advancements allow for dynamic, highly detailed depth contours—down to a resolution of 3 inches—and enhanced visualizations of underwater terrain. Moreover, they facilitate continuous chart updates supported by crowd-sourced real-world data [1][3].
These improvements aim to create more accurate and customizable ENCs for safer and more efficient navigation. The AHO's work practices involve leveraging official hydrographic data combined with satellite imagery and the latest sonar surveys. Software tools allow mariners to select and emphasise safety contours and safety depths, compliant with IMO performance standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) [2].
The benefits of adopting similar practices and innovations by other HOs are numerous. They include improved accuracy and resolution of depth contours, resulting in better navigational safety. Dynamic chart updates and crowd-sourcing enable faster incorporation of local knowledge and corrections. Enhanced user customization caters to different navigation modes and safety needs. Increased efficiency in hydrographic workflows is achieved by applying AI and automation in contour data processing and hazard identification [4]. Lastly, broader community engagement is facilitated through participatory data contribution and validation, enhancing chart reliability.
Other similar innovations, such as Lowrance’s Depth Routing feature, which automatically charts courses within defined depth ranges, further illustrate how motor and charting systems are integrating bathymetry with navigational controls to improve practical depth contour utility for mariners [4].
In summary, the AHO's adoption of advanced AI-enabled processing, combined with crowd-sourced updates and compliance with IMO ECDIS safety contour standards, represents a leading-edge model in ENC depth contour generation. Other HOs are well-positioned to benefit from this model by improving chart accuracy, update frequency, and user interactivity with depth information [1][2][3].
References
- Advancements in Electronic Navigation Charts Depth Contour Generation
- IMO Performance Standards for ECDIS
- Furuno's TZ MAPS on NavNet TZtouchXL System
- Lowrance’s Depth Routing Feature
Editor's Note
This edition focuses on topics related to hydrography, web-mapping, and ocean data delivery. We express our condolences on the passing of Rear Admiral Kenneth Barbor, USN (USA), a past Director of the IHB Directing Committee. His achievements are being recognised in this edition. We hope this edition will be of interest to readers and inspire future paper submissions.
My colleagues provided peer reviews for the articles in this edition. The article discusses research efforts in Canada, analysing web-mapping applications for ocean data delivery to the scientific community. The results could provide valuable information to other groups developing web mapping capabilities.
The establishment of a hydrographic service in Mauritius is a success story, supported by the IHO Capacity Building program and several national Mauritius government agencies. This edition features papers on various research efforts and advancements in hydrography and ocean data delivery. The authors of the papers in this edition are acknowledged and thanked for their contributions. An obituary for Rear Admiral Kenneth Barbor has been included in this edition.
The USA has provided an update on their program to evaluate bathymetry holdings within the IHO's Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This edition is edited by Ian W. Halls.
Contouring within the nautical cartographer community often presents a variety of opinions, but the work undertaken within the AHO may be of interest to other HOs.
An Australian colleague discusses innovative developments to improve the generation of depth contours for Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs).
- The Australian Hydrographic Office's (AHO) incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) for depth contour generation in Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs) is of particular interest to the nautical cartographer community, as it could potentially be adopted by other hydrographic offices (HOs) to improve contouring accuracy and safety.
- The AHO's work in environmental science, such as the application of data and cloud computing in their hydrographic workflows, sets a leading example in the efficient incorporation of real-world data and AI-based automation for improved chart accuracy and real-time updates, benefiting other HOs in improving their own environmental-science practices.
