Structure for National Reports to Regional Hydrographic Commissions - IHO Resolution 2/1997

Sep 1, 2026

A structured framework for preparing National Reports to Regional Hydrographic Commissions, anchored to IHO Resolution 2/1997 (as amended). The outline covers Hydrographic Office/Service updates, survey coverage and achievements, new charts and ENCs including distribution and overlaps, publications delivery methods, MSI infrastructure and coordinator statistics, and the latest C-55 update. It further addresses capacity building, oceanographic activities, MSDI/NSDI and shared data principles, innovation and risk assessment, and a concluding section summarizing actions, progress, and challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatDOCX

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Executive summary

Hydrographic Office / Service

Surveys

New charts & updates

New publications & updates

MSI

C-55

Capacity Building

Oceanographic activities

Spatial data infrastructures

Innovation

Other activities

Conclusions

Structure for National Reports to Regional Hydrographic Commissions(Reference: IHO Resolution 2/1997 as amended (last amendment IHO A-2) Executive summary 1. Hydrographic Office / Service: General, including updates for the IHO Yearbook e.g. reorganization. Note: use the available template for updates to the Yearbook or the online system. Use separate sections if more than one national HO works within region for a single Member State. 2. Surveys: Coverage of new surveys. New technologies and /or equipment New ships Crowdsourced and satellite-derived bathymetry - national policy Challenges and achievements 3. New charts & updates: ENC coverage, gaps and overlaps ENC distribution method RNCs INT charts National paper charts Other charts, e.g. for pleasure craft Challenges and achievements 4. New publications & updates: New Publications Updated publications Means of delivery, e.g. paper, digital Challenges and achievements 5. MSI: Existing infrastructure for MSI dissemination Statistics on work of the National Coordinator New infrastructure in accordance with GMDSS Master Plan Challenges and achievements Note: use the WWNWS template for this section 6. C-55: Latest update Note: use the available template to update C-55 or the online system. 7. Capacity Building: Offer of and/or demand for Capacity Building Training received, needed, offered Status of national, bilateral, multilateral or regional development projects with hydrographic component (In progress, planned, under evaluation or study) Definition of proposals and requests to the IHO CBSC 8. Oceanographic activities: General GEBCO/IBC’s activities, GEBCO Seabed 2030 activities Tide gauge network New equipment Challenges and achievements 9. Spatial data infrastructures: Status of MSDI Relationship with the NSDI Involvement in regional or global MSDI efforts National implementation of the Shared Data Principles – including any national data policy and impact on marine data. MSDI national portal Best practices and lessons learned Challenges and achievements 10. Innovation: Use of new technologies Risk assessment Policy matters 11. Other activities: Participation in IHO meetings Meteorological data collection Geospatial studies Preparation for responses to disasters Environmental protection Engagement with the Maritime Administration Aids to Navigation matters Magnetic and gravity surveys International engagements Etc. 12. Conclusions:

FAQs

What sections must be included in a National Report to a Regional Hydrographic Commission?

The report structure includes Hydrographic Office/Service updates, surveys, new charts and updates, new publications and updates, MSI, C-55, capacity building, oceanographic activities, MSDI/spatial data infrastructures, innovation, and other activities, ending with conclusions.

How should updates for the IHO Yearbook and online systems be handled in the Hydrographic Office/Service section?

Use the available template for Yearbook updates or the online system. If more than one national Hydrographic Office works within the region for a single Member State, use separate sections.

What guidance is provided for MSI and the C-55 update sections?

For MSI, use the WWNWS template and report existing infrastructure for dissemination, coordinator statistics, and new infrastructure aligned with the GMDSS Master Plan. For C-55, provide the latest update and use the available template or the online system to update it.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Jordan Avery