The DHI in the years 1976 and 1977 
135 
5 General Report 
5.1 THE DEUTSCHES HYDROGRAPHISCHES INSTITUT (DHI) IN THE 
YEARS 1976 AND 1977 
The 10 th Conference of the North Sea Hydrographic Commission 
(NSHC) took place from 25 to 29 October 1976, in the DHI at Hamburg, the 
chairmanship of which was conferred upon the President of the DHI at the end of 
the meeting. The NSHC has the task of co-ordinating the work of the hydro- 
graphic services of the states adjacent to the North Sea. At this meeting it was 
decided — amongst other things — to use, on the charts, standard symbols for 
the new buoyage system "A" (red to port); furthermore, the proposals compiled 
by an IHO*) commission were discussed as to in how far the nautical books 
could also be standardized, since, in chart standardisation (which in the case of 
small-scale charts has in the meantime almost been completed) good progress 
has been made. The guiding rules for international North Sea charts of medium 
and large scales — that are intended to be exemplary for the whole world — 
which have been compiled by the NSICC **), another IHO commission, were also 
discussed during the 10th NSHC Conference. They were submitted to the 11th 
International Hydrographic Conference held in Monaco from 18 to 30 April 1977. 
The President of the DHI led the Federal German delegation. It was here decided, 
pursuant to the NSICC **) guiding rules submitted, that International Charts of 
medium and large scales should be produced for other sea areas also. Moreover, 
amongst other things, the further extension of the World-wide Cooperative 
Radio Navigational Warning System for shipping as planed jointly by IHO”) 
and IMCO ***) was also advocated at that meeting. 
During the years 1976/77, the DHI's Pilots were brought up to date by the 
issue of 5 New Editions and 40 Supplements. Furthermore, the supplementary 
booklet "Betonnungssystem 'A' " to the manual "Für Brücke und Kartenhaus" 
was issued, and a German version of the "Standard Marine Navigational Voca 
bulary" compiled by IMCO***) was published. 17 parts of the „Verzeichnis der 
Leuchtfeuer und Signalstellen" appeared as New Editions; thereby, the change 
over of the list to the one-page-format was completed. The Supplements to the 
3 volumes of the "Nautischer Funkdienst" and to the "Sprechfunk für Küsten 
schiffahrt" appeared monthly. In 1977, the "Jachtfunkdienst Mittelmeer" was 
issued for the first time as special publication, intended — besides "Jachtfunk 
dienst Nord- und Ostsee" and "Wetter- und Warnfunk" — for ships which are 
not officially obliged to carry certain equipment. The weekly number of printed 
copies of the "Nachrichten für Seefahrer" (NfS) reached 3,900. In this connection, 
thanks are extended to the numerous captains and ship's officers who support 
the work of the DHI by their nautical reports. 
*) International Hydrographic Organization 
**) North Sea International Chart Commission 
***) Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization