Glossary

B-12

B-12 - IHO Guidelines for Crowdsourced Bathymetry is an IHO guidance document created by the IHO CSBWG to provide best practices for collecting and contributing crowdsourced depth data. The document provides an overview of the technical “how-to” on CSB collection, metadata format, offset correction, and data contribution to the IHO DCDB so that all providers (Trusted Nodes) follow the same format uniformly.

Crowdsourced Bathymetry (CSB)

The collection and sharing of depth measurements from vessels, using standard navigation instruments, while engaged in routine maritime operations. 

Crowdsourced Bathymetry Working Group (CSBWG)

International working group tasked with maintaining IHO publications B-12 - IHO Guidelines for Crowdsourced Bathymetry - as well as investigating and highlighting use cases of CSB data, providing guidance on data quality and standards in liaison with other IHO bodies, universities, nonprofits, private companies, and other organizations interested in the utility of CSB. The CSBWG is particularly tasked to work in cooperation and coordination with other stakeholders to ensure a harmonized approach to data gathering and the resultant datasets.

Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (DCDB)

Data Center co-located at NOAA’s NCEI, stores bathymetry data for all IHO initiatives including CSB, and is a major source for the Seabed2030 initiative.

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

A computer-based navigation system that complies with IMO requirements and can be used for navigation instead of paper navigation charts. 

General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO)

Publicly available bathymetric map, and associated products, of the world's oceans. GEBCO is an IHO and IOC joint Project that relies largely on the voluntary efforts of an international collaborating community of scientists and hydrographers with the support of their parent organisations.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

A satellite navigation system with global coverage, such as the United States’ NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Federation’s GLONASS, and the European Union’s Galileo. 

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)

 The IHO is the intergovernmental consultative and technical organization that was established in 1921 to support safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. The principal aim of the IHO is to ensure that all the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. It is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. 

S-44

IHO Publication that defines the standard applicable to hydrographic surveys and takes its place amongst the other IHO publications, designed to improve the safety of navigation, knowledge, and protection of the marine environment.

Seabed2030

The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project (Seabed 2030) is a pioneering initiative accelerating ocean mapping efforts. We are a global community working with partners across industry, governments, research, philanthropy, NGOs, and civil society to achieve a complete map of the entire seabed.

Trusted Node

An approved organisation or individual who systematically receives CSB data collected by vessels or other platforms and delivers them to the IHO DCDB.