So you want to start a CSB program?
As outlined above, the goal of this document is to create a centralized source of information regarding the technical and systemic tools which CSB practicioners have trialed and utilized. Crowd Sourced Bathymetry programs can come in all shapes and sizes f`rom 8 loggers handed out to dive boats in Australia collecting data for the GBR, to a major NGO empowering members of it's organization to record data, to a University-housed mapping center focusing on the boating community in its back yard. Across all of these examples, similar toolsets and trends have revealed themselves time and time again. We have endeavoured to create a document that summarizes our experiences to help new CSB practicioners to find an informaed jumping-off point. Of course, there will be customizations that may need to be made for each new program based on stakeholder priorities, engagement capacity, and more. We hope that you will find the many options presented here to be helpful in customizing your own CSB program.
The steps you'll need to get started will be outlined below, but a common first step might be to become registered as a Trusted Node. The role of a trusted node is primarily to act as a secure source of data to the DCDB. This requires that someone be responsible for managing data flow from vessel into the DCDB, in line with the guidelines set up in the B-12 guiding document from the IHO. To become a trusted node, contact with the DCDB/NCEI is required. A list of existing trusted nodes exists here. Each trusted node has its own target audience; for example, the International SeaKeepers Society is primarily engaged with privately owned yachts and leisure boats, whereas the University of South Florida Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies (COMIT) primarily engages all types of vessels within the Tampa Bay region. Finding the right trusted node to fit your vessel helps to streamline this process. To enroll your own organization as a trusted node, review the guidance on the CSB tab of the IHO DCDB website, and contact the DCDB via email: bathydata@iho.int.
DCDB contact for inquiries about becoming a Trusted Node: bathydata@iho.int
talk high level about how programs can come in all shapes and sizes. From 8 loggers handed out to dive boats in Australia collecting data for the GBR, to a major NGO empowering members of it's organization to record data, to a University-housed mapping center focusing on the boating community in its back yard? That is basically how these 3 projects essentially had to ask themselves the same questions and plan the same implementation strategy...though on different scales. And now we're passing that info on to you...