9TH MEETING OF THE IHO INTER-REGIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE INTER-REGIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE (IRCC9) ANNUAL REPORT 2016

IRCC Objectives Establish, coordinate and enhance cooperation in hydrographic activities amongst States on a regional basis, and between regions; Establish co-operation to enhance the delivery of capacity building programs; Monitor the work of specified IHO Inter- Organizational Bodies engaged in activities that require inter-regional cooperation and coordination; Promote co-operation between pertinent regional organizations and review and implement the IHO Capacity Building Strategy, promoting Capacity Building initiatives

Coordination of RHC Activities Encouraged the RHCs to : be attentive to opportunities to raise awareness. of value and role of hydrography. Consider Risk Assessment methodologies. Reduce overlapping data in regional coverage. Strongly supported increasing the level of Capacity Building activities. IHO secretariat continuing with effort to identify additional donor States and funding organisations.

WEND Monitoring RENC harmonisation activities relating to technical and distribution issues. Continued with work to reduce overlapping ENCs. Continued to encourage RENC to RENC cooperation for better harmonisation.

CBSC Finalisation of draft new editions of S-8A and S-8B. Continued Interaction with other Sub-committees and Working Groups Supported technical visits to assess the hydrographic, cartographic and nautical information status of non member States

IBSC Finalised the Guidance for the Implementation of the Standards for S-5A (adopted Aug 2016) and S-5B (adopted Jan 2016). Continued with review of submissions of accreditation of programmes.

MSDI Finalised the IHO Publication C-17. Followed up on the development of the OGC Maritime Domain Working Group. Continued to follow up on the development of concept for Ecological Marine Units. about

CSBWG CSB Guidance Document were developed further at the 3rd WG Meeting. Guidance Document available via the IHO website to the public. More feedback needed from IRCC participants.

WWNWS Continued to support and provide advice and guidance on shore-to-ship broadcasting of MSI to the IMO. Delivered training courses in the SWPHC, supported by IHO CB Programme Reviewed of draft documents eg. MSI, Performance Standards for enhanced group call equipment.

GEBCO Worked to improve participation in regional mapping activities. Appointed representatives ti participate at selected RHC meetings. Continued to encourage contribution of data in shallower waters ie. <200 meters. Continued to promote importance of bathymetric data to the international community. Recognise that Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry would also be Important Source of Shallow Water Data.

Conclusion Need to continue with close coordination and cooperation among Stakeholders. Information sharing and harmonisation will continue to grow at global scale. Must cease the opportunity for our community to be plugged in and play a larger role in our contribution towards navigational safety and protection of marine environment.