HCA Hydrography Priorities WG

Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA)

HCA Hydrography Priorities Working Group (HPWG)

Last update: 3 August 2016

At its 4^th Meeting (Kythnos, Greece, Sept. 2004), the HCA established a new Working Group: HCA Survey Programme Working Group with the specific aim is to establish co-operation and collaboration between hydrographic organisations and scientific institutions in hydrographic surveying in Antarctica. The WG was renamed HCA Survey Prioritisation Working Group at HCA-8 (Niteroi, RJ, Brazil, Oct. 2008), then HCA Hydrography Priorities Working Group (HPWG) at HCA-12 (Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct. 2012) with revised Terms of Reference. As a result, in addition to addressing hydrographic surveying in Antarctica, HPWG is also in charge of coordinating INT chart and ENC schemes.

Chair: Mr. Andrew Willett (andy.willett@ukho.gov.uk), United Kingdom

Membership (in 2004): Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, COMNAP (observer) and IAATO (observer).

Membership (since HCA-14, June 2016): The HCA Chair proposed that, because of its key coordinating role in the HCA, all HCA Members and Observers should be considered as participants in the HPWG in future (Decision&Action HCA14/16).

Terms of References

The WG conducts its work by correspondence, through HCA-HPWG Letters.

Guidelines and Forms: The following documents have been developed and/or are being maintained by the HCA HPWG:

G uidelines for the collection and rendering of hydrographic data by Ships of Opportunity operating in the Antarctic Region

Form for Collection and Rendering of Hydrographic Data, for use by ships' captains on Antarctic vessels.

Form Request for Bathymetric Data, for use by Hydrographic Office when preparing a new Edition or a new INT chart.

Revised Survey Plan for Antarctica (version HCA-14, June 2016): Short List of High Survey Priorities - Long Term Survey Plan for Antarctica