Work Plan 2007-2010

Original work plan in .pdf-format.

Title

Hydrography 

Mr. Andrew Leyzack, Chairperson of Commission 4

Terms of reference

• Hydrographic surveying
• Hydrographic education, training and CPD
• Marine environment & CZM
• Data processing and management
• Nautical charting and bathymetric maps - analogue and digital, includes ENCs (Electronic Navigational Charts).

Mission Statement

• Promote the aims and objectives of FIG to hydrographers through the active involvement of national delegates from member associations and other interested parties in the activities of the commission.
• Foster closer links with all sister organisations currently active within the global hydrographic community.
• Develop guidelines and standards that will assist hydrographers in the provision of their services.
• Disseminate information relevant to the profession through participation in international meetings, conferences and committees.

General

Commission 4 is committed to achieving both the long term and immediate aims and objectives of the FIG organisation. The commission strategy over the next four years is aligned with that of the incoming Council and will include

• Closer links and co-operation with other FIG Commissions, including joint working groups
• The development of best practice guides in Hydrography
• Actively support and participate in FIG regional events

Working Group 4.1 - Hydrographic Surveying in Practice

Policy issues

• Monitor and report on new directions in Hydrographic surveying
• Develop good practice recommendations for project management and as well the delivery of Hydrographic products and services
• Respond to opportunities to offer continuing professional development at regional meetings.
• Respond to direction from FIG Council to address emerging issues on an ad-hoc basis.

Chair

Specific project(s)

• Develop guidelines for planning and managing Hydrographic projects.
• Assist Commission 4 Working Group 4.2 on Capacity Building in the delivery of CPD at regional venues.
• cooperation with other Commissions and National Agencies where common applications exist.

Workshop(s)

• Participation in FIG Working Weeks, Regional Meetings and other major Commission events (see events section below) with dedicated Technical Sessions and/or Workshops as appropriate

Publication(s)

• Handbook on Hydrographic project planning and management.
• FIG Working Weeks will include Technical Papers on specific issues and presented by Working Group Members and other invited experts.

Timetable

• Draft publication will be presented at FIG Working Weeks during the term of this plan and according to a timetable to be developed by the Working Group Chai
• Working group will present a final report at the FIG Congress, 2010

Beneficiaries

• FIG member associations, managers in surveying businesses, government, national agencies, academia and as well as individual surveyors.

Working Group 4.2 - Standards and Guidelines

Policy issues

• Assist in the development and recognition of standards of competency
• Assist in the development of technical standards and guidelines .
• Cooperation with sister organizations and other appropriate bodies.
• Cooperation with FIG Commissions

Chair

Mr. Andrew Leyzack Canada E-mail: leyzacka[at]dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Specific project(s)

• Present and promote the use of standards and guidelines to the surveying community
• Review Standards coming from ISO TC211 for relevance to Hydrography
• Assess the impact of international standards on current industry practice
• Represent Commission 4 on the FIG Standards Network (Commission 1)
• Provide a review of the IHO New Manual of Hydrography
• Promote recognition of professional pathways

Workshop(s)

• Participation in FIG Standards Network Meetings and other major Commission events (see events section below).

Publication(s)

• FIG Working Weeks will include Technical Papers and/or reports to the FIG Standards Network on emerging standards, guidelines and specific issues.
• Ongoing contribution to the maintenance of the FIG Guide on Standardisation.
• Review of the IHO New Manual of Hydrography.

Timetable

• Ongoing work will be reported FIG Working Weeks during the term of this plan and according to a timetable to be developed by the Working Group Chair.
• Review IHO New Manual of Hydrography by May 2007
• Working group to present a final report at FIG Congress, 2010.

Beneficiaries

• FIG Standards Network
• Sister organizations and other (national) agencies.
• FIG member associations, surveyors in industry and government, academia.
• Instrumentation and software producers

Working Group 4.3 - Administering Marine Spaces

Policy Issues

• Focus on land management within the near-shore, land/sea interface of a Coastal Zone
• To promote and develop the work of FIG Publication 36, Administering Marine Spaces.

Chair

Dr. Michael Sutherland Canada E-mail: michael.d.sutherland[at]unb.ca

Specific project(s)

• Climate Change Impact on Coastal Communities (Joint with Commission 8)

Work Shops

• Participation in FIG Working Weeks, Regional Meetings and other major Commission events (see events section below) with dedicated Technical Sessions and/or Workshops as appropriate.

Publications

• TBD

Timetable

• 2007 -2009

Beneficiaries

• FIG member associations, governments, industry and academia.

Working Group 4.4 - Capacity Building and the Economic Benefits of Hydrography

Policy issues

• Clearly identify the cost/benefits associated with Hydrographic products and services.
• Promote Hydrographic Surveying as an investment.
• Market the Profession and the development of qualified personnel
• Provide support to the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), Capacity Building Committee (CBC).
• Coordinate efforts to focus professional development where required.
• Investigate low cost alternatives for the delivery of Hydrographic services and training.

Chair

Specific project(s)

• Work closely with the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and sister associations to present and promote the benefits realised from Hydrographic information.
• Engage and encourage users of Hydrographic information to help demonstrate the benefits of using quality Hydrographic information.

Workshop(s)

• Participation in FIG Working Weeks, Regional Meetings and other major Commission events (see events section below) with dedicated Technical Sessions and/or Workshops as appropriate.

Publication(s)

• Pamphlet on Economic Benefits of Hydrography to market the profession and services.
• Internal and external reports will be prepared from participation at IHO, CBC meetings.
• FIG Working Weeks will include Technical Papers on specific issues and presented by Working Group Members and other invited experts.

Timetable

• 2006-2010.

Beneficiaries

• FIG member associations, government, industry, academia and the IHO

Co-operation with Sister Associations

FIG/IHO Committees

Commission 4 currently represents FIG on the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors (jointly with IHO and ICA). The commission will also support the IHO in its Capacity Building Initiatives with representation on the IHO Capacity Building Committee (CBC).

FIG and the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS).

FIG and the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS)

Commission 4 has begun to cooperate with the IFHS whereby the Federation has provided input into the 2006-2010 work plan and the commission will continue to lend its support towards sponsoring IFHS conferences and other initiatives. For example, the commission has provided financial support and resources for updating the IFHS special publication (SP-3) entitled Hydrographic Surveying as a Career. It is important for Commission 4 to maintain contact with all national Hydrographic Associations (whether members of the IFHS or not) to foster communications and cooperation for the betterment of the profession.

Notes:

1. FIG and IHO cooperate under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed in Athens, May 2004. Our liaison is IHB Director, Hugo Gorziglia.

2. The role of the International Advisory Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors is to develop and up-date international standards of competence for Hydrographic surveyors and to review the academic programme of educational institutions that are seeking IHO accreditation of their Hydrographic training courses. Our liaison with the IAB is past Commission 4 Chair, Mr. Adam Greenland

FIG and the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) cooperate under a MoU which was signed in Cairo, April 2005. Our liaison with the IFHS is their President, Paul Hornsby.

Co-operation with the United Nations agencies

Commission 4 will participate in co-operation with the United Nations agencies on topics that are related to commission expertise (e.g. marine cadastre) and on guidance by FIG Council.

Cooperation with other FIG Commissions

Commission 4 will collaborate with FIG Commission 5 to review and revise (where required) FIG Publication 37, Vertical Reference Surface for Hydrography

Cultures and Languages

Commissions endorse the underlying concept that respect for Cultural and Linguistic issues is of paramount importance and that Commissions will be sensitive to these issues in the way they work. This will be implemented by encouraging multilingual abstracts and presentations in general meetings and through the use of an appropriate regional language during regional meetings.

Other Activities

Maintain and develop the commission web page, with linkages to other relevant home pages and new pages or other networks for special projects, to keep commission delegates, the Hydrographic community and the public involved in and informed about the work of the commission. Contribute editorials, reports and articles to Hydrographic publications including but not restricted to the Hydrographic Journal, Hydro International, The Hydrographic Review, Sea Technology and Lighthouse. Produce a bi-annual Commission 4 CD ROM for distribution to commission delegates, our sister organizations and national Hydrographic societies.

Calendar of Events

2006

• IFHS Hydro 2006, Antwerp, Belgium, 6-9 November

2007 

• IHO Conference, Monaco, 7-11 May
• U.S. Hydro 2007, Norfolk, 14-17 May
• FIG Working Week, May- Hong Kong, 13-17 May
• FIG Regional Meeting, Costa Rica, 12-15 November.

2008 

• CHC2008, Victoria, Canada
• FIG Working Week, Stockholm, Sweden, 14-19 June

2009 

• FIG Working Week, Eilat, Israel, 3-8 May
• FIG Regional Meeting

2010 

• FIG XXIV Congress, Sydney, Australia, 9-16 April

30 December 2006

CONTACT

International Federation of Surveyors, FIG
Kalvebod Brygge 31-33
DK-1780 Copenhagen V DENMARK
 FIG@fig.net
 + 45 3886 1081

FIG Office

PUBLICATIONS

FIG Publications
Surveyors Reference Library
Conference Proceedings
Article of Month
e-Newsletter

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

FEDERATION

ABOUT FIG

International Federation of Surveyors, FIG, is a United Nations and World Bank recognized non-governmental organization of national member associations and covers the whole range of professional fields within the global surveying community. It provides an international forum for discussion and development aiming to promote professional practice and standards.

Follow FIG: