Claudia Aldunate, ENC Cartographer at Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy, participated in a member-to-member secondment. This was hosted by Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina (IHM), this secondment focused on compilation, production and validation of ENCs in the emerging S-101 standard, utilising CARIS Hydrographic Production Database (HPD) software.

Claudia reflected on her experience and shared insights gained from this experience.

Introduction and Overview

The secondment commenced at IHM headquarters, where Commander Rebeca de Copé de los Mozos, Head of Hydrography and Cartography, provided an insightful overview of the department’s work. This introduction set the context for understanding IHM’s production processes and their approach to charting in both S-57 and S-101 standards.

Focus on S-101 Production

The primary focus of the secondment was the creation of ENCs using the new S-101 framework, transitioning from the existing S-57 data model. Using CARIS HPD software, work centered on transforming data stored in the S-57 format into S-101-compliant datasets.

A key technical challenge encountered during this process was the lack of direct data transfer for certain object attributes between S-57 and S-101. To address this, significant effort was dedicated to developing and refining XML exchange file mappings. These mappings are critical in ensuring that object classes and attributes are accurately translated between standards, enabling effective data migration.

Practical Application and Outputs

The secondment followed a practical, hands-on methodology, using IHM’s S-57 database as the primary data source. During the placement, two ENCs were successfully produced in the S-101 format:

Aproches de Gijón
Arsenal de la Carraca

Following production, validation checks were carried out using the HPD validation tools to ensure the datasets met the required standards and specifications.

Knowledge Exchange

In addition to S-101 production, the secondment provided valuable exposure to broader aspects of hydrographic production workflows. This included:

Data loading and management within the HPD database
Production processes for both paper charts and S-57 ENCs
Updating and maintenance procedures for chart products

This exchange of knowledge also highlighted the similarities between the tools and workflows used at IHM and those currently implemented at the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA), reinforcing the value of shared practices across hydrographic offices.

Technical Skills Development

An important outcome of the secondment was the development of skills in XML programming, using Notepad++ to optimise the mapping of objects and attributes from S-57 to S-101. This work supports more efficient and accurate data transformation, ultimately improving the export of datasets into the HPD environment.

Visit to IHM Facilities

On the final day, a guided tour of the IHM facilities was conducted by Commander de Copé de los Mozos. This included visits to several key departments, such as:

The Hydrographic Archive
The printing press
Geodesy, Tidal, and Hydrography sections

The tour provided valuable insight into the full spectrum of hydrographic activities undertaken at IHM, from data acquisition to final chart production.

Conclusion

This secondment represented a highly valuable opportunity to gain practical experience in S-101 ENC production within an established hydrographic office. It enhanced both technical knowledge and understanding of production workflows, while also strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing between organisations.

For more information and to see what secondment opportunities are currently available, please click here.

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