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Notes

Number 12 (2014)

Harmonisation of Vertical References on the Baltic Sea

Submitted
May 6, 2015
Published
2014-11-30

Abstract

Because there is no common vertical reference system for hydrographic or navigational tasks in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission (BSHC) considers this issue to be important to harmonise chart datums in the Baltic Sea. The BSHC Chart Datum Working Group (CDWG) has studied the needs and possibilities to move to a harmonised vertical reference system and evaluated alternatives for it. The European Vertical Reference System (EVRS), has been approved by the BSHC as a harmonised vertical reference system for the Baltic Sea. At the same time, the CDWG has proposed to the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) Tidal and Water Level Working Group (TWLWG) to revise the IHO resolution on vertical datums to better reflect the non-tidal and inland waters (IHO Resolution 3/1919 as amended).The CDWG has developed a roadmap for the transition to the EVRS based harmonised reference system and this has been approved by the BSHC. The goal is to establish the harmonised vertical reference system in use in the year 2020. To make the transition successful, all relevant stakeholders within the Baltic Sea region have to become informed and committed to support the work. To assist this process, the CDWG is also establishing closer co-operation with the Baltic Sea Oceanographic Observation System (BOOS).