Editorial from IHR Issue 20
In this edition, we delve into the world of cutting-edge research and development in the realm of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs). The focus is on key advancements that aim to enhance the usability, accuracy, and safety of ENCs for mariners worldwide.
The establishment of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Mauritius over the past five years serves as a positive testament to the IHO's capacity building efforts. This edition also pays tribute to the late Rear Admiral Kenneth Barbor, USN, who served as a past Director of the IHB Directing Committee, with an obituary published by the Editorial Board.
One of the pioneers in this field is Furuno, whose TZ MAPS technology integrates high-resolution bathymetric data, artificial intelligence (AI), community-sourced updates, and advanced visualization techniques to create more accurate and detailed ENCs.
Furuno’s BathyVision™ technology delivers seabed contours with resolution down to 3 inches, offering detailed and vivid 3D views of underwater terrain such as ridges, drop-offs, and canyons. This level of detail surpasses traditional ENC resolution, improving navigational safety and situational awareness.
The NavNet TZtouchXL system uses AI Routing to automatically generate optimal routes considering up-to-date depth contours, hazards, and navigation rules, refining real-time navigational decision-making. Furuno’s Community Maps feature allows users to contribute local knowledge—editing chart details, uploading photos, and annotating hazards directly from their devices. This crowd-sourced data is curated and regularly updated, enabling dynamic ENC maintenance rather than static, infrequently updated charts.
Users can customize terrain shading, color themes, and combine multiple data layers such as satellite imagery and bathymetry to tailor charts to different activities and lighting conditions, improving readability in varied environments. The adoption of the S-100 framework by the hydrographic community facilitates the integration of diverse datasets (tides, currents, bathymetry) within electronic chart systems, enhancing the richness and accuracy of depth contour information beyond traditional S-57 ENCs.
Other notable contributors to digital chart clarity and precision include Garmin’s digital charts, known for reliable depth contours and navigational aids, although without the same AI and community integration level. Esri offers advanced 3D ocean mapping applications that enable interactive depth data visualization, enhancing exploratory analysis but not directly linked to ENC production.
In summary, the pioneers and leaders in this field include Furuno for its advanced charting platform with AI and crowd-source features, and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) advancing standards through S-100 for richer, integrated ENC data frameworks. These innovations collectively improve the spatial detail, update frequency, user interaction, and navigational decision support in electronic depth contour generation.
A comprehensive paper on this update was presented at the 2018 Joint Hydrographic and National Surveyor's Conference. We extend our gratitude to the authors of this edition, our colleagues who provided peer reviews, and all those who contributed to this exciting advancement in maritime navigation.
[1] Furuno Corporation. (2021). TZ MAPS. Retrieved from https://www.furuno.com/products/tz-maps/ [2] Furuno Corporation. (2021). BathyVision. Retrieved from https://www.furuno.com/products/bathyvision/ [3] International Hydrographic Organization. (2021). S-100. Retrieved from https://www.iho.int/standards-and-publications/standards/s-100/ [4] Garmin International. (2021). BlueChart g2 Vision. Retrieved from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/products/marine/charts/bluechart-g2-vision/ [5] Esri. (2021). ArcGIS Ocean. Retrieved from https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-ocean/overview
- In the realm of digital environmental-science, Furuno's TZ MAPS and BathyVision technologies are transforming the field of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs), integrating AI, community-sourced data, user customization, and high-resolution bathymetric data for improved navigational safety and situational awareness.
- The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has played a significant role in enhancing ENCs through their establishment in Mauritius and the implementation of the S-100 framework, promoting richer, integrated ENC data frameworks, and paving the way for more accurate and detailed ENCs.
