This edition comprises one article, several notes and general information. The article from Canada describes their research efforts through a competitive analysis study of a number of current web-mapping applications that deliver ocean related data to the scientific community. Their analysis of the data types, uncertainty, time, basemaps, operators and technologies should provide useful information to other groups establishing web mapping capabilities. As more data becomes available to the open community, finding the right balance to meet a wide user expectation of web map data content and presentation will be challenging.
The establishment of a hydrographic service in Mauritius through the IHO Capacity Building program along with the support of several national Mauritius government agencies is a terrific success story and a good model for other nations who are in the early stages of establishing their own hydrographic service. The establishment of this organisation and the work that has been undertaken in the last 5 years is a positive testament to the goals and aspirations of IHO capacity building and what can be achieved.
A further note from one of my Australian colleagues describes some innovative development to improve the generation of depth contours particularly when compiling Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs). Having spent many hours compiling contours for charting myself, it is satisfying to know that automated processes to improve the near-final depiction are available. Contouring within the nautical cartographer community will always present a variety of opinions, but the work undertaken within the AHO, I hope will be of interest may be considered by other HOs wanting to improve productivity whilst not compromising quality or aesthetics.
The USA has provided an update on their program to evaluate the bathymetry holdings within the IHO’s Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry that is hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The authors presented a comprehensive paper at the 2018 Joint Hydrographic and National Surveyor’s Conference and the link to this paper is provided in the Reference section of the Note.
Finally, we include an obituary for Rear Admiral Kenneth Barbor, USN (USA) who was a past Director of the IHB Directing Committee. It is always sad to farewell a fellow professional but it is pleasing to recognise his achievements.
On behalf of the Editorial Board, I hope this edition is of interest to you and may inspire you to submit a future paper on the work that you have done or are currently engaged in. Thank you to the authors for your contributions and to my colleagues who provided peer reviews for the article in this edition.
Ian W. Halls
Editor