The SOLAS Convention has been extended to the Turks and Caicos Islands by the United Kingdom and we are committed to meeting our obligations under SOLAS regulations V/4 and V9 pertaining to navigational warnings and hydrographic services respectfully.

Hydrography is the measurement and description of the physical features and conditions of navigable waters and adjoining coastal areas, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.  Basic parameters observed during a hydrographic survey are time, geographic position, depth of water, and bottom type. SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 9 regulates the requirements for the provisions of hydrographic services. Hydrographic services include the publication of nautical charts, the issuance of nautical charts and sailing directions, a listing of lights, tide tables and other nautical publications to satisfy the practical navigation requirements for mariners.

A principal objective of hydrography is to provide for safe navigation and protection of the marine environment through the production of up-to-date nautical charts and related publications. In addition, hydrographic data is essential to a multitude of other activities such as global studies, for example, shoreline erosion and sediment transport studies; coastal construction; delimitation of maritime boundaries; environmental protection and pollution control; exploration and exploitation of marine resources, both living and nonliving; and development of marine geographic information systems (GIS).

International Hydrographic Organization

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization that was established in 1921 to support safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment.

The object of the Organization is to bring about:

·        The coordination of the activities of national hydrographic offices.

·        The greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents.

·        The adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys.

·        The development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography.

Survey and Mapping Department: https://gov.tc/landsurvey/

The Survey and Mapping Department (SMD) is responsible for the standardization and production of all Surveying and Mapping activities and the maintenance of the national cadaster and the country’s geodetic network. The Survey and Mapping Department has vested responsibility in the provision of hydrographic services within the TCI.

The Meso American-Caribbean Sea Hydrographic Commission

The Meso American-Caribbean Sea Hydrographic Commission (MACHC) is an integral part of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The Commission promotes the aims of the IHO at the regional level in an advisory, scientific, and technical capacity. The MACHC endeavors to assist the Hydrographic Services, or institutions responsible for hydrography and navigation, of the Member countries.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) produces a global range of electronic and paper nautical charts, publications and services for the Royal Navy and international mariner. The production of nautical charts and associated information is undertaken by the UKHO through an MOU with the TCI. The Arrangement allows for the free exchange of data to maintain products for the safe navigation of vessels in national waters thereby discharging one of TCI’s key responsibilities under SOLAS V Chapter 9. The UKHO assist the Turks and Caicos Islands in meeting its SOLAS charting obligation by producing and distributing products and services suitable for international shipping. TCI through the Department of Maritime and Shipping supply to UKHO maritime and marine data collected or receive in order that UKHO can produce charts, sailing directions and other products and services and keep them up to date. Such data will include but not be limited to Notices to Mariners, details of navigational aids, tidal observations, hydrographic surveys, details of traffic and routeing schemes, and port and harbour regulations.