The International Hydrographic Organization is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization with a mission to “ensure the provision of adequate and timely hydrographic information for world-wide marine navigation and other purposes”. The Office of Coast Survey is an active member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and participates in IHO committees and working groups establishing, revising, and following IHO standards.

The National Ocean Service Hydrographic Surveys Specifications and Deliverables closely follows the International Hydrographic Organization’s Standards for Hydrographic Surveys, Special Publication 44, Fifth Edition, February 2008, specifically for Order 1 surveys.

Representatives from the Office of Coast Survey have also participated in working groups resulting in the following IHO publications: S-32 Hydrographic Dictionary, M-5 Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors, and M-13 Manual on Hydrography.