Nautical Term: IHO

Definition of IHO

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is an international scientific and professional organization devoted to the development and promotion of disciplines, methods, and techniques concerned with the measurement of the physical properties of the marine environment and the representation of the ocean and the seabed in maps and charts.

For example, a hydrographer working for the IHO might be tasked with surveying the depth and other physical characteristics of a stretch of ocean off the coast of a country. The hydrographer would use specialized equipment, such as a depth sounder and underwater cameras, to collect data about the seafloor and the water above it. The hydrographer would then use computer software to process the data and create detailed maps and charts of the area. These maps and charts would be valuable resources for mariners, fishermen, naval forces, and other organizations and individuals who rely on accurate information about the physical characteristics of the ocean and the seabed.

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