Day in the life of an IC-ENC Validator
Who are IC-ENC?
IC-ENC represent and work closely with over half the world’s Hydrographic Offices to ensure the consistent production and distribution of accurate and up to date ENC data, promoting safety and efficiency in global maritime transportation through Quality Assurance. We play a crucial role in the compliance of electronic charting standards, ensuring that mariners have access to reliable ENCs for safe navigation at sea.
The UKHO Office buildings in Taunton
The Validation Team
I have worked as a Data Validator in the Validation Team for over a year and have been asked to offer my perspective on the role and the wider UKHO community. I initially joined IC-ENC as an intern completing a Geospatial Year in Industry as part of a BSc Geography degree; I have since become a full-time member for the UK Validation Team. The Validation Team is a global team with the main office located here in the UK, and three regional offices located in Australia, Brazil and Washington, USA. Each regional office provides support to the members in their region, including Validation and production support, with members also benefitting from a language and time zone perspective. UKHO remains the operator of IC-ENC and those here at UKHO are UKHO staff. There is strong collaboration between the regional offices and we regularly welcome delegates from our regional offices to our Taunton office.
A recent visit by our US Data Validators from NGA
Day to Day Validation
At the start of my day, I commence the first stage of the Validation process: by loading each ENC received, through our ECDIS suite (Electronic Chart Display Information System – the onboard navigation system) to ensure correct loading and display of information. The outcome of this is recorded, at this stage we confirm that the data is suitable for full Validation.
Once the ENC data is loaded, I progress onto the assessment of the ENC coverage to identify overlaps and gaps with neighbouring ENCs, using various GIS packages. It is important that ENCs provide seamless non overlapping data coverage. Having multiple overlapping datasets can create a confusing navigational picture for the mariner; IC-ENC help to identify and ensure consistent coverage across our members ENCs using these tools. Any coverage issues will be recorded and raised for full assessment during the Validation process.
Using a range of industry standard validation software packages and an in-house developed tool, we check the compliance of the ENC to the associated S-57 and S-58 standards; these standards are set by the IHO (International Hydrographic Office) which producing nations must follow.
These software packages will generate a summary of validation errors, which I will assess using knowledge of IHO Standards, training and IC-ENCs dedicated database. I assess a range of information sources to decide on how critical the issue is for the mariner and then identify the required correction strategy.
The Validation Team assess incoming ENC data from member Hydrographic Offices
After completing the compliance portion of the Validation, I then perform a series of consistency checks on each ENC; this process assesses the ENC against its adjoining ENC coverage to ensure that the data is providing a consistent display of bathymetry and navigationally significant features. This process ensures that the end user of the product is always has the highest quality data available to support their safe navigation.
Once I have completed the Quality Assurance, I then produce a detailed feedback report for each ENC Validation which provides an overall picture of each ENC’s quality and suitability for release and offers guidance on how to correct any issues identified and recommended improvement action. These reports are provided to each member and are tailored feedback to each members capabilities.
Each afternoon IC-ENC performs a data release; this process involves identifying all products that have passed all of IC-ENCs Quality Assurance Check and make them available to our Value-Added Reseller network for onward distribution and supply to the end user. As part of the Validation Team, we are regularly involved in this process; this gives me the ability to see the full life cycle of an ENCs progress through IC-ENC in a single day, with products arriving from Producers in the morning to being available to end users by the evening.
In the last year IC-ENC have prevented around 360 safety critical errors through our Validation process, assuring our members navigational safety.
Wider Responsibilities
As well as validating ENCs I have been able to work within other areas of IC-ENC. I have helped develop and maintain our GIS tool for identifying overlaps. Having been involved for some of the model building, model maintenance and analysis my GIS skills are hugely improved and rounded.
I have also been briefly involved with branding which was different but deeply interesting.
With the introduction of the new IHO standards, The S-100 series, I’m also looking forward to working more with the wider IC-ENC team to support the development of Validation services. With the range of products supported by S-100 I am looking forward to understanding the broader range of Maritime Data Products.
Working for IC-ENC, I have had the opportunity to work with international colleagues, along with colleagues from our Regional Offices, in the US, Brazil and Australia. The role also enables communication with the 49-Member nations.
Highlights of working for IC-ENC and the UKHO
IC-ENC and the UKHO are wonderful organisations to work for, one of the many reasons I enjoy my work is IC-ENCs commitment to psychological safety at all levels within the organisation. Our regular dedicated meetings have fostered an environment conducive to open and honest conversation, allowing colleagues to express fears, concerns and feedback without fear of judgement or reprisal.
One of the many reasons I like working for IC-ENC is the truly flexible working ethos. Using my accrued hours, I will often make the most of evenings and leave work early to explore the South West.
Paddleboarding in Devon after work – The UKHO owns water sports equipment for staff to borrow
Climbing after work, using my Flexitime
Written by Toby Pascoe - IC-ENC Data Validator