Proposed new accuracy standards for hydrographic surveying

The principal objective of a hydrographic survey is to determine safe navigable depths. Standards for depth sounding and horizontal positioning are an essential consideration. Standards enable parties working in complementary functions-survey system planning and design, system selection and evaluation, survey planning, surveying, and cartography-to communicate effectively on matters of survey quality. Presently published standards for depth sounding and horizontal positioning are not stated in terms of statistical parameters with a consequent lack of realism and contain terminology that can easily lead to ambiguous interpretation. Improved standards which are to be incorporated into the National Ocean Service's Hydrographic Manual are proposed for adoption by the hydrographic community.