128

42.  Jahresbericht  Deutsches  Hydrographisches  Institut  1987

The  chart  portfolio  published  1  new  chart,  146  new  editions,  116  up-dated  reprints,
and  113  overlay  blocks.  Four  nautical  charts  were  withdrawn.  The  work  for  the
International  Chart  Portfolio  was  continued.  Six  chart  series  for  sport  boats
appeared  as  new  editions.
In  preparation  for  -  and  in  implementation  of  -  resolutions  made  by  the  2nd
International  Conference  for  the  Protection  of  the  North  Sea,  intensified  investigations ­
  for  the  monitoring  of  the  North  Sea  and  the  Baltic  Sea  for  radioactivity  and
other  important  groups  of  injurious  impurities  took  place.
The  Meeresumwelt-Datenbank  (MUDAB)  (Marine  Environment  Data  Bank)  into
which  the  entire  Federal  German  data  contributions  to  international  and  national
monitoring  and  research  programmes  are  intended  to  flow,  has  been  established.
Joint  geophysical-geological  investigations  in  the  southern  and  eastern  North  Sea
were  commenced  with  the  North  Sea  neighbouring  countries  in  order  to  chart  the
latest  geological  formation  -  the  Quarternary  Period.
Numerous  type-tests  and  type-approvals  were  verified  -  amongst  others,  those  of
magnetic  and  gyro  compasses,  automatic  steering  systems,  echo  sounders,  position ­
  lights,  accoustic  signal  systems,  radio  direction-finding  systems  and  integrated ­
  navigation  systems  -  and  the  nautical  suitability  of  distress  radio  systems.
Permits  were  granted  for  the  installation  or  arrangement  of  certain  nautical
systems  and  pieces  of  equipment  on  board  Federal  German  Ships,  the  compliance
with  which  was  controlled  on  454  ships.
On  665  ships,  the  compliance  with  the  Ship  Safety  Regulations  with  regard  to  the
nautical  systems,  pieces  of  equipment,  and  instruments  was  supervised.
The  DHI  issued  4  permits  for  dumping  and  2  permits  for  incineration  of  wastes
upon  the  High  Seas,  and  10  permits  for  research  actions  in  the  region  of  the
continental  shelf  of  the  Federal  Republic  of  Germany.  In  connection  with  infringements ­
  against  the  obligation  to  keep  Oil  Record  Books,  185  preliminary  legal
proceedings  were  instituted.  In  the  majority  of  cases  fines  were  imposed.
Numerous  reports  concerning  important  nautical  observations,  which  had  been
sent  in  from  voluntary  collaborators,  were  evaluated.  Several  worthly  captains,
ship’s  officers,  radio  officers,  and  other  voluntary  collaborators  were  awarded
prizes  of  books.