IC-ENC Member-to-Member Secondments Build S-101 Expertise

Building expertise, strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating S-101 readiness through IC-ENC’s Member-to-Member secondments.

IC-ENC Members from Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador have completed technical secondments with the Peruvian Navy’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation in Callao, Peru.

The programme combined practical training with Member-to-Member knowledge exchange, focusing on Electronic Navigational Chart production and validation and, in particular, the transition from S-57 to S-101.

Practical insight into Peru’s production environment

Participants explored Peru’s cartographic production environment, from source-data compilation and quality-management procedures to the workflows used for paper nautical charts and ENCs.

Hands-on activities demonstrated how S-57 data can be converted into S-101 products using CARIS HPD. Participants also observed quality-control and validation processes using CARIS HPD, dKart and SevenCs Analyzer.

During the Colombian participant’s placement, ENCs covering Cartagena Bay and Buenaventura Bay were converted to S-101 and used as practical validation case studies.

A two-way exchange of expertise

The Ecuadorian participant contributed her Systems Engineering experience to the technical exchange. She advised the IT personnel responsible for CARIS HPD at Peru’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation, proposing ways to automate the generation of text and marginal information for paper nautical charts.

The proposed approach aimed to reduce repetitive manual work, shorten processing times and support more efficient, standardised cartographic production. It also demonstrated the two-way value of IC-ENC’s Member-to-Member model: participants gain new knowledge while sharing expertise and practical solutions with their hosts.

Preparing for S-101 implementation

The secondments strengthened participants’ understanding of S-101 conversion, quality control and validation. They also provided insight into ENC exchange sets, Updates, New Editions, encryption, digital signatures and future distribution arrangements.

Working alongside Peru’s cartographic specialists allowed participants to compare national workflows, discuss shared challenges and identify practices that could support S-101 implementation in their own Hydrographic Offices.

Cooperation across the IC-ENC community

The placements offered a valuable combination of practical learning and professional exchange. Participants developed experience in S-101 production and validation that they can share and apply within their respective organisations.

IC-ENC extends its sincere thanks to the Peruvian Navy’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation for its generous hospitality and commitment to Member-to-Member cooperation. By dedicating staff time, sharing specialist knowledge and providing access to practical production and validation workflows, Peru created a valuable learning experience for all participants and made these secondments possible.

For more information and current opportunities, visit the IC-ENC secondments webpage.