WP 4. New Zealand: Hydrographic Surveying and Charting In the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica

Transcription

1 Agenda Item: Presented by: Original: ATME 3(a)(ii) New Zealand English New Zealand: Hydrographic Surveying and Charting In the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica 1

2 New Zealand: Hydrographic Surveying and Charting In the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica Adam Greenland, New Zealand National Hydrographer, Land Information New Zealand Hydrographic Survey Coverage of Antarctica The majority of the Antarctic sea area remains unsurveyed or requires a modern re-survey. Less than 1% of the sea area within the 200m contour has been adequately surveyed to meet the needs of contemporary shipping entering Antarctic waters. It is important that vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area should be aware of the limitations regarding the adequacy of charts for the region. To date, the greatest effort has been focused on the Antarctic Peninsula Maritime Shipping Routes (MSR) and approaches to permanent scientific bases. Hydrographic Information Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is responsible for maintaining and delivering the NZ Government s land and seabed information including information in respect of the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. LINZ s survey, topographic mapping, hydrographic charting and place naming activities collectively provide key elements of a spatial infrastructure. LINZ is the government department responsible for providing authoritative hydrographic information for the primary purpose of safety of navigation. New Zealand is a member state of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and LINZ is the national hydrographic authority. Surveying and Charting in Antarctica New Zealand is a full member of the IHO Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA) which is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in International (INT) Region M - the Antarctic. Membership is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty. LINZ, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade attended the most recent HCA meeting held in South Africa in October 2009 and presented a comprehensive national report with details of past, current and intended surveys and charting activities within the Ross Sea Region. The aims of the HCA include technical cooperation in the domain of hydrographic surveying, marine cartography and nautical information within the region. In particular; to implement the INT chart scheme for the region and monitor its suitability, to define the needs for new surveys and if necessary to develop a cooperative approach to meet those needs. Essentially, the HCA works to promote, facilitate, stimulate and encourage a multilateral approach to hydrographic activity within the region. This ensures the 2

3 widest possible participation and cooperation across IHO member states, relevant international organisations, industry bodies and scientific organisations. In recent years the IHO has been active in raising awareness of surveying and charting issues with Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) nations at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM). This has culminated in the adoption of Resolution 3 (2003) ATCM XXVI Cooperation in hydrographic survey and charting of Antarctic waters, and Resolution 5 (2008) ATCM XXXI Improving hydrographic surveying and charting to support safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Antarctic region. These Resolutions constitute a firm commitment by Antarctic Treaty Parties to undertake steps to improve the quality and coverage of hydrographic data in the region. NZ Hydrographic Surveying Activities During the 2001 and 2004 survey seasons LINZ contracted the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) to undertake a safety of navigation survey of a new MSR within the Western Ross Sea Region. The NIWA research vessel Tangaroa conducted the surveys using the survey launch Pelorus for shallow inshore survey work. The proposed survey area extended from Cape Adare in the north to Cape Hallett in the south, along the east coast of Victoria Land. These were identified as areas of more frequent maritime traffic, including research and commercial tourist traffic. It included three specific chart areas of Cape Adare and Cape Hallett (INT 9006) and the Possession Islands (INT 9007) as well as the MSR connecting all three areas and anchorages. In 2001 an initial lack of sea ice enabled the capture of hydrographic data in the areas of Cape Hallett and Possession Islands. Incoming sea ice forced the ship north before they could complete coverage of the Cape Adare area. Further survey work was conducted around the Balleny Islands. In 2004 the survey recommenced off Cape Adare, being the area of highest priority. However due to deteriorating weather and the increasing presence of pack ice Cape Adare was abandoned for the Balleny Islands where more productive survey work could be accomplished. In summary the various charts that existed for the Ross Sea Region prior to the recent surveys contained scant information and appeared to be compilations from various historic sources. It was noted that significant differences do exist between these charts and the survey. Many shoal soundings of doubtful data were sounded and disproved. Most of the MSR has been surveyed with the exception of areas occupied by grounded icebergs. However, in some areas it is very likely that many uncharted and dangerous shoal areas exist, for example in the near shore waters of islands and inshore landing areas. The extent of which can only be determined with more surveys. NZ Government and Science Voyages In 2006 and 2008 further surveys were conducted on an opportunistic basis by NIWA for LINZ. The areas included Scott Island (INT 9003) and Balleny Islands and Balleny Seamount (INT 9012). 3

4 Other Hydrographic Data Hydrographic data received by LINZ from a scientific cruise by R/V Palmer in 2004 was processed and used to update existing charts and produce new charts of Cape Royds to Pram Point (INT 9001) and McMurdo Station and Scott Base (INT 9002). LINZ has recently received bathymetric data from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS), a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand. GNS have compiled a comprehensive database of surveys over the last 3 decades which includes multi-beam and single-beam data from various sources for the region 130º E to 110º W and from 50º S to 80º S. The data include 119 surveys 28 of these are multi-beam. The data will be assessed for future editions of NZ charts in the Ross Sea Region. INT Chart Region M South of 60ºS As of September 2009 a total of 60 INT charts have been produced out of the 102 INT charts which are included in the scheme. The New Zealand chart folio is produced and maintained by LINZ and consists of small and large scale INT charts extending from the Balleny Islands in the north to Ross Island in the south. Prior to the 2001 and 2004 hydrographic surveys LINZ produced two small scale overview charts of the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea. These charts were compiled using IHO information gathered mainly from vessel tracks on ocean passage shared among member states. The result of the LINZ safety of navigation surveys and availability of further information in recent years has been the production of 8 new nautical charts in the last 7 years. These are medium scale coastal/approach charts and large scale inshore landing/harbour charts. These nautical charts are available to the mariner as traditional paper charts and are included in the Raster Navigational Chart (RNC) folio, NZMariner. LINZ is in the process of producing Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) of these charts to meet the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, Mandatory Carriage Requirements for Electronic Chart & Information Systems (ECDIS). However, it should be appreciated that whilst new charts have been produced many have limited coverage surveyed to modern standards and significant unsurveyed areas and large areas of scant information remain. Ship-Borne Tourism in the Ross Sea Region From data collated from the IAATO Overview of Antarctic Tourism reports it has been possible to carry out a limited investigation and analysis of recent shipborne tourism in the Ross Sea Region. Information from including an estimate for the season was analysed and the following observations are made. Ship-borne tourism in the Ross Sea Region fluctuates annually and is largely confined to a small number of tourist vessels. The most popular seasons were and with a total of 11 and 10 voyages per season respectively 4

5 and an increase in sites visited from 12 to 21 in The two most popular sites are Cape Adare and Cape Bird which are Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA) as are many of the sites visited. New sites are being included in the voyages. Future Intentions Further investigation and analysis is required which will include science and government vessels to obtain a comprehensive understanding of all shipping activity in the Ross Sea Region. Actual landing locations and vessel tracking information is becoming available which can be matched to existing charting coverage surveyed to modern standards. It will highlight areas of significance to support improvements to the standard of charting where it is needed most, namely; sensitivity of the environment, needs of scientific research, demands of the tourism industry and other identified maritime activities. In accordance with initiatives agreed by the IHO HCA, LINZ will co-operate with national and international departments and organisations to identify areas of significance and develop a prioritised survey plan for the Ross Sea Region. This work will be guided by the HCA Survey Prioritisation Working Group (HSPWG) and be presented at the next HCA meeting as part of the national report for review and comment. A range of options will be considered which will include use of vessels of opportunity. This work will be a whole-of-government approach in accordance with the LINZ vision in the Ross Sea Region Strategy New Zealand will continue to support, promote and contribute to the work of the IHO HCA. New Zealand proposes to develop a national prioritised survey plan for the Ross Sea Region which will include a range of options to achieve the desired outcomes in an appropriate timeframe. It is New Zealand s intention to present the national prioritised survey plan at the next IHO HCA Meeting. Recommendations 1. The Antarctic Treaty Parties should advise all tourist vessels intending to operate in the Antarctic Treaty area to be aware of the limitations of the adequacy of charts for the region. 2. The Parties should contribute to the improvement of charting information. 5

6 NZ CHARTS SOUTHERN OCEAN & ROSS SEA REGION 6

7 NZ14908 (INT 9008) Cape Adare to Cape Daniell New Zealand Ross Sea Region Chart No. Title Scale Published New Ed NZ (INT 65) Ross Sea to New Zealand 1:10M 10/1994 NZ (INT 900) Ross Sea 1:2M 4/1998 Chart No. Title Approx. % Surveyed to Scale Published New Ed Modern Standards NZ (INT 9001) Cape Royds to Pram Point 45% 1:60K 7/2007 NZ (INT 9002) McMurdo Station and Scott Base 20% 1:5K 7/2007 Approaches to Scott Island: Scott NZ (INT 25% 1:75K Island 9003) Scott Island 80% 1:25K 8/2008 NZ (INT 9006) NZ (INT 9007) NZ (INT 9008) NZ (INT 9009) NZ (INT 9012) Cape Adare 70% 1:50K Cape Hallett 70% 1:50K Ridley Beach 60% 1:15K SeeBee Hook 50% 1:15K 1/2003 8/2006 Possession Islands 60% 1:60K 1/2003 8/2006 Cape Adare to Cape Daniell 40% 1:200K 1/2003 8/2006 Cape Hooker to Coulman Island 2% 1:500K 6/2004 Balleny Islands 25% 1:300K 8/2006 7

8 Legend Maritime Shipping Route Chart Coverage 8

9 NZ14907 (INT 9007) Possession Islands Legend Maritime Shipping Route 9

10 NZ14906 (INT 9006) Cape Adare and Cape Hallett Legend Maritime Shipping Route 10

11 NZ14912 (INT 9012) Balleny Islands 11

12 NZ14901 (INT 9001) Cape Royds to Pram Point 12

13 NZ14902 (INT 9002) McMurdo Station and Scott Base 13

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15 Ship-Borne Tourism in the Ross Sea Region Summary - The majority of tourist visits are to the Antarctic Peninsula where the largest vessel carries approximately five times more passengers than the largest vessel operating in the Ross Sea. - Two new vessels commenced operations in the season, although not all vessels operate in the Ross Sea region each season - The total number of visits (landings & cruise only) increased in by approximately 300% from the previous season and the number of sites visited increased from 12 to Of the 28 sites listed, Cape Adare, Cape Bird and Franklin Island show the greatest increase in total visits during than the previous season. However, the season recorded the least number of passengers and visits for the six seasons investigated. - Two new sites were included in the season that had not been visited during the previous five seasons. These were Cape Colbeck (King Edward VII Land) and the Ross Ice Shelf (actual location(s) unknown). - Three sites have not been visited since the season (Balleny Islands, Cape Rogets and Ironside Glacier); one since season (Leningradskaya); and three since (Campbell Glacier, Cape Crozier and Moubry Bay). - Estimates for the season indicate three vessels returning to the region, the same number as the last season; however the total number of voyages planned has halved. The total number of passengers is estimated to be reduced by approximately 40%, reflecting similar numbers to those recorded during the season (the least for the seasons investigated). - Further investigation and analysis is required to identify: o o o actual landing locations actual vessel track future surveying & charting requirements for safety-of-navigation Notes: 1. Information collated from IAATO Overview of Antarctic Tourism reports ( 2. Estimates for extracted from the XXXII Antarctic Treaty meeting, 2009, IAATO Overview of Antarctic Tourism report. 3. Other operators such as scientific research, fisheries or government agencies have not been included. 15

16 Table 1: Number of Tourist Vessels per Site / per Season Season Site Balleny Islands Campbell Glacier 1 Cape Adare (16) Cape Bird (12) Cape Colbeck 1 Cape Crozier 1 Cape Evans (16) Cape Hallett Cape Rogets 1 3 Cape Royds (13) Cape Washington Coulman Island Drygalski Ice Tongue Franklin Island (13) Inexpressible Island (11) Ironside Glacier Leningradskaya 1 McMurdo Ice Channel McMurdo Station (10) Mertz Glacier Tongue Moubry Bay 1 New Harbour 1 Possession Island Ross Ice Shelf 2 3 Ross Sea 2 Scott Base Taylor Valley Terra Nova Bay Terra Nova Station (11) Table 2: Number of Tourist Vessel Voyages per Season Season Vessel Kaptain Khlebnikov Marina Svetaeva 2 3 Orion Spirit of Enderby Akademik Shokalskiy 3 3 Total voyages Table 3: Vessel Particulars Name Length Beam Draught POB Kaptain Khlebnikov Marina Svetaeva Orion Spirit of Enderby Akademik Shokalskiy

17 Figure 1: Ross Sea Region Overview Legend Year Existing Charts V/Ls 17

18 Figure 2: Cape Adare, Cape Hallett & Coulman Island Legend Year Maritime Shipping Route Existing Charts V/Ls 18

19 Figure 3: New Zealand & Sub-Antarctic Islands Legend Year V/Ls 19