Technical Session 7 – Aids to Navigation – A Global Approach – focus on Africa

Technical Session 7 – Aids to Navigation – A Global Approach – focus on Africa

Chair:    Mr James Collocott (South Africa)
Vice Chair    Mr Steve Nell (South Africa)

Introduction by Chair
James Collocott stated that at a ministerial conference in Africa in 2002, concern was expressed for the safety of navigation and level of hydrography.  He quoted statistics that demonstrated the poor compliance with SOLAS Regulations and IALA Recommendations by many African nations.
IMO MSC has agreed that safety of navigation should be on the priority action list of IMO’s technical cooperation activities.

Global Warming: Challenges and Opportunities, Mr Simon Millyard, Trinity House

Presented by Cdre Jim Scorer
The onset of global warming will have an effect on the existing structures used for providing AtoN to mariners.  Rising sea levels and climate change will impact on our current lighthouses in a way for which they were not designed.
Every day there are claims and counter claims about climate change and the impact it will have on the world we live in.
The presentation listed the various sources of data for climate information.  Statistical information, including that on the rise in sea levels due to melting ice, was presented to support the case for global warming.  Increasing sea levels and melting ice will lead to the opening of new shipping routes.
The presenter has studied a range of climate change data to bring to the audience a realistic estimation of what lies ahead based on the most respected data on the topic available.  This will enable the AtoN provider to give due consideration to this issue.
This presentation reviewed the evidence behind climate change and what impact climate change will have on traditional AtoN platforms; it will not engage in the well-versed topic of what should be done to reduce man induced climate change.
The presentation explored what can be done to existing structures and to future designs to maintain secure and suitable platforms for AtoN into the future.  Other impacts on the status quo were discussed, in order to prompt thinking on enforced changes to shipping and their future navigation requirements.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    The evidence behind global warming.
2    What impact it is believed global warming will have.
3    What can be done to protect navigation aids in this changing environment.
Closing message - IALA should consider monitoring the next IPCC report, due in 2013, and summarise the contents for IALA members to consider.

Traffic monitoring along the African Coasts, Reasons and Methods, RAdm Jean-Charles Leclair, IALA

Presented by RAdm Jean-Charles Leclair.
AIS has changed the maritime world. Initially its main purpose was to be a tool to avoid collision, but rapidly, and also because of the very limited capabilities of its Minimum Keyboard Display (MKD), it appeared that its main function is rather for ship/shore exchange of information.  As such it is a fantastic tool that shore authorities cannot ignore because it provides precise and reliable information on the commercial traffic along the coast of any country as never before.  Therefore, it gives all its meaning to the SOLAS obligations expressed in the regulations 12 and 13 of Chapter V ‘…as the volume of traffic justifies and the degree of risk requires.’  Nowadays, Authorities in charge of safety of navigation cannot say anymore that they were not aware of such traffic.  The tool exists and it is not necessarily expensive to implement.
AIS, LRIT and, tomorrow, AIS satellite offer much functionality that can be used to improve safety, security, protection of marine environment and, not less important, maritime traffic efficiency. Traffic monitoring will be still more efficient and beneficial for every coastal State and for the maritime industry if the data become global, for instance using IALA-NET.
Africa should not stay apart from this crucial evolution for maritime navigation.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    SOLAS Chapter V obligations.
2    Importance to know what the traffic is along the coast.
3    Use of AIS for traffic monitoring; easy and cheap.
4    Interest in monitoring coastal traffic.
5    Be part of IALA-NET.

Update on Western Indian Ocean-GEF-Marine Highway Development & Coastal & Marine Contamination Prevention Project Update, RAdm Neil Guy, Regional Project Co-ordinator WIO-MHD-CMPP Project

Presented by RAdm Neil Guy.
The supporting and beneficiary countries are the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania.
Component A:
An overview of the geography of the Mozambique Channel was provided.  He then listed the shipping activities, ports and the threats and risks in the region.  A deep-water route will be surveyed in the Mozambique Channel (about 800 nautical miles).  The data will used to update existing ENCs or in new ones.  The project will support the updating of ENCs of certain of the ports and approaches.  Activities include:
•    Generating and maintaining nautical charts and publications.
•    Installing aids to navigation, automatic information systems and communication.
•    Support for search and rescue operations.
Component B:
Sensitise issues related to marine and coastal protection.  Create pollution prevention and contingency management plans for coastal and marine biodiversity hotspots with high-risk profiles.  Develop a methodology to value ecosystem benefits.  Develop a regional database and geographic information system on marine and coastal resources.
Component C:
Supporting efforts to ratify IMO conventions and translate them into national legislation.  Assist the development of national oil spill contingency plans, a regional plan, and create sensitivity maps.
Oil spill response equipment.
Facilitate regional agreements and develop a regional contingency plan.
Component D:
Promote port state control.  Support monitoring of fisheries activities.  Co-operate with other regional projects
Participating governments should establish mechanisms to sustain the benefits achieved by the Project.
An update of the programme for 2010-2011 was provided.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    The Project is intended as a proactive solution to the problems relating to pollution in highly sensitive environmentally sensitive areas resulting from maritime disasters.
2    To improve the quality of electronic nautical chart data in the Project area.
3    To improve the aids to navigation, maritime safety information and pollution prevention and reaction planning in the Project area
4    To assist National Authorities to upgrade their charting and aids to navigation in their ports and approaches.
5    To provide training in as many related areas as possible.

Marine Aids to Navigation Management in Senegal and Prospects for Sub-regional Co-operation, Ing Mamadou Thioub, Port Autonome de Dakar / Service de Sécurité Maritime du Sénégal

Presented by Ing Mamadou Thioub.
The presentation listed the various activities undertaken by the authority and the suite of aids to navigation deployed.  The example of the management of Senegalese Maritime Safety Service, a convention entrusted between the State of Senegal and port Autonome de Dakar, could be a practice for many African countries often faced with difficulties of financing their maritime safety service activities. The presentation also discussed prospects for regional cooperation.
The multipurpose buoy tender ‘Samba Laobé FALL’ received in February 2008 has been designed to fulfil many missions, including clean up of minor pollution incidents and search and rescue and is intended to assist West African ports in the subarea to enhance maritime safety.
An overview of the hydrographic and GMDSS capabilities was also given.
Regional cooperation was vital.  He listed of possibilities for regional cooperation was mentioned.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    Presentation of Senegalese Maritime Safety Service
2    The multipurpose buoy tender ‘Samba Laobé FALL’
3    Sub regional co-operation in West and Central Africa
4    Co-operation in hydrography in Africa for renewed maritime electronics chartss (CHARMER)

Solutions for Africa, Mr Joel Tourbot, Institute for Maritime and Inland Waterways (CETMEF), France

Presented by Mr Joel Tourbot.
Africa has some new ports, such as the Doraleh (in Djibouti) and Tangier Med (in Morocco).  Many projects in Africa have seen substandard equipment supplied, which has created more problems.
Over the years, CETMEF has worked with many African nations to build capacity and improve safety.  The example of the project in Djibouti was an excellent example of technical cooperation
The presentation was based on the mission outsourced to CETMEF for the engineering company BCEOM, which had signed a contract with the Port of Djibouti for a modernisation study of the marine marking and aids to navigation in the Port of Djibouti.
The missions given to BCEOM included:
•    Reviewing the existing studies relating to the modernisation of aids to navigation stations in port approaches;
•    Studying a buoy tender project with bathymetric capabilities;
•    Writing calls for tenders for civil engineering and equipment, i.e. Buoyage equipment and buoy tender, including cost estimates for the work and supplies.
The work given to CETMEF by BCEOM were:
•    On site missions;
•    Review of buoyage studies, specifications for remote control systems and the buoy tender;
•    Preparation of calls for tenders.
The presentation showed how the mission was carried out and the advantages of calling upon a commercial company, which brought solutions that are compatible with the local means and competencies and proposed industrial solutions, which does not allow the customer to be free in its technical choices.  At the end of the study the customer specifications and requirements were developed and the customer was free to issue calls for tenders according to its preferences and financial means.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    Mission sample.
2    Global approach in terms of studies.
3    Co-operation with local authorities.
4    Partnership arrangements with local authorities.
5    Free selection of the supplier for the implementation.
In closing, Joel Turbot said that CETMEF will continue to work with Francophone countries, with the aim of focusing on technical co-operation, partnerships and transfer of skills.

Aids to Navigation Capacity Building in Africa, Mr Ómar Frits Eriksson, Danish Maritime Safety Administration

Presented by Mr Ómar Frits Eriksson.
The presentation gives an overview of the capacity building support given recently by the Danish Maritime Safety Administration and some important components of capacity building and lessons learned are highlighted.  A simple framework for how IALA might facilitate and co-ordinate the capacity building efforts of its members is described.  In conclusion a number of recommendations are given on how IALA can play a more proactive role in supporting AtoN Authorities striving to fulfil their international obligations.
The key points of the presentation were:
1    IALA should take the lead in creating a global overview of those areas in the world where volume of traffic and degree of risk dictate a certain level of provision of AtoN services.
2    IALA should develop a plan for how IALA can be more proactive in supporting Aids to Navigation authorities that are striving to fulfil their international obligations.
3    IALA should focus on building the internal competences and knowledge of AtoN Authorities in developing countries, making them able to properly design their organisations and to develop strategies that ensure a sustainable development.
IALA should develop further the IALA Consultancy and the IALA World Wide Academy.