NATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICES CONTRIBUTION TO INCREASED SAFETY AND IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT AT SEA

In recent years, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has actively worked on the development of specifications for electronic c hart display and information systems (ECDIS), in close co-operation wi th the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ECDIS are sophisticated aids to na vigation which should drastically improve the safety of navigation at sea and consequently reduce the risk of environmental pollution result ing from marine accidents. While the ECDIS Performance Standards are e xpected to be approved by the IMO Assembly in 1995, government hydrogr aphic offices are already in the process of producing ECDIS data in ac cordance with IHO specifications and standards.