Opinion Piece by IHR: 13
In the latest edition, Ian W. Halls takes on the role of Editor, guiding readers through a series of insightful articles. One of these articles focuses on the evolution and current status of the Digital Hydrographic Database (DHDB) used by the Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS).
Evolution of the DHDB
The evolution of the DHDB can be traced back to the early 2000s when the AHS introduced a DHDB solution. However, this initial attempt did not meet expectations. Fast forward to 2011, the AHS began evolutionary sustainment processes to refresh and incrementally re-build the technology capability. These efforts have since paid off, with the AHS now a leader in the evolutionary development of digital technology for charting and data management.
A significant milestone in this evolution was the release of the high-resolution depth model, AusBathyTopo 250m 2024 Grid, by Geoscience Australia in 2024. This update incorporates data from 1582 individual marine surveys, providing an improved, seamless 3D surface of bathymetry with enhanced coastline definition[1]. This extensive integration of hydrographic survey data has supported modernized charting capabilities and depth models that underpin the DHDB.
Data Management and Standards
The DHDB aligns with international hydrographic standards managed by bodies such as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which oversees frameworks like S-100 (a universal hydrographic data model). Australia’s hydrographic services participate in activities related to spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), foundational nautical cartography frameworks, and e-navigation support, all of which contribute to the robust data management and standard setting that enable sophisticated databases like the DHDB[3].
Current Status
While specific technical details on the DHDB solution are not exhaustively detailed in available public documents, the integral role of AusSeabed, Geoscience Australia’s seabed mapping coordination initiative, and tools like the Australian Marine Spatial Information System (AMSIS) indicate a mature, web-based data ecosystem for managing hydrographic data. AMSIS provides authoritative, curated marine spatial data supporting charting and decision-making in the Australian marine jurisdiction[1].
In Memoriam: Mike Eaton
The final note in this edition is a tribute to Mike Eaton, a pioneer of ECDIS technology. Mike was involved with the IHO ECDIS working groups in the early 1990s. His professionalism and steadfast resolve have played a significant role in the current ECDIS capability[2].
We would like to express our gratitude to the authors for their contributions and the colleagues who provided peer reviews for the articles in this edition. We hope that this edition is of interest to our readers and continues to foster the spirit of innovation in the field of hydrography and marine spatial data management.
[1] Geoscience Australia. (2024). AusBathyTopo 250m 2024 Grid. Retrieved from https://www.ga.gov.au/
[2] AHS. (n.d.). ECDIS Capability. Retrieved from https://www.ahs.gov.au/
[3] IHO. (n.d.). S-100. Retrieved from https://www.ihohq.org/
The evolution and development of the Digital Hydrographic Database (DHDB) is a testament to the integration of science, environmental-science, and technology, particularly data-and-cloud-computing, as demonstrated by its incremental re-build and alignment with international standards set by bodies like the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The DHDB, including tools like the Australian Marine Spatial Information System (AMSIS), plays a crucial role in hydrographic survey data management, supporting modernized charting capabilities and facilitating decision-making in the Australian marine jurisdiction.
