IALA
The potential hazards involved in the navigation of ships
are many-grounding, collision, weather damage and so on-and they
are normally well documented and familiar to us all. However, the
traditional hardware-lights, buoys, channel markers and the like-is
being supplemented and gradually superseded by a new generation of
information-based tools-VTS, AIS, GPS, electronic charts, vessel
reporting schemes, satellite tracking and others. IALA has been in
the vanguard in the maritime community in embracing these changes
and in seeking ways to attain the maximum benefit from them.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, many of the best minds on earth were engaged in finding ways to industrialise our planet, a by-product of which was a gradual laying to waste of certain of the earth's natural resources and an erosion of our environment. Only in the later part of the 20th century did we begin to realise just how fragile our environment is and how great mankind's capacity to damage it can be. Now, many of the best brains are working on ways of protecting the environment, regenerating damaged ecosystems and developing sustainable ways to use the resources which nature has provided us with.
-William O'Neil, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, speaking at the IALA Conference.
IALA, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, held its 15th Conference in Sydney, Australia, from 10 to 15 March 2002. The Conference, which is held every four years, enables lighthouse authorities from all over the world to exchange views and information related to topical issues.
OPENING the Conference, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Senator Ron Boswell, welcomed delegates to Sydney, reminding them that this was the first IALA Conference to be held in the southern hemisphere. The theme of the Conference was 'aids to navigation and the environment' and there was no better country to assess the combination of both. He gave examples of steps taken to safeguard navigation in critical areas of Australia's coast that were environmentally sensitive, navigationally restricted, or had high traffic densities, particularly recommendations designed to improve ship safety and environmental protection in the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait. He also referred to the need for better safety and security in the marine industry following the tragic events of 11 September 2001.
DR Ulrich Klinge, President of IALA, reported that the Technical Committees of IALA had been productive in bringing forward clear and unambiguous guidance to harmonise international standards for planning, calculating, implementing, and operating classical aids to navigation as well as radio aids, vessel traffic services (VTS), and automatic identification systems (AIS).
Dr Klinge told delegates IALA needed to co-operate closely with other organisations in the domain of international harmonisation of navigational infrastructure safety, particularly the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
'On board technology and navigational decision processes interact with VTS and other aids to navigation; they need to be harmonised to make them compatible within the framework of an integrated systems technology. Therefore we consider combined and concerted actions and efforts with IMO an imperative and indispensable pre-condition for the safety of navigation which, in turn, can make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment', Dr Klinge said.
IN his keynote address William O'Neil, Secretary General of the IMO, emphasised the rôle of new technology. He said that information technology could deliver almost anything we asked of it. 'For instance, it is quite possible to conceive of a global traffic management system, based on long-range AIS, feeding information into local traffic control systems responsible for ports, coastal sea lanes or straits. While this is technically feasible, we cannot ignore that there are difficult issues involving political, economic, and social factors that surface whenever we attempt to extend our conceptual thinking beyond the boundaries of established practice.
'Nevertheless, we must not shy away from tackling them if we are to ensure that the new technology is utilised to the fullest and is employed effectively. For example, if we look dispassionately at the relationship between the ship's master and shore-based traffic management, we can see that new technology could have a significant bearing on how this could be treated in the future. The traditional objection to shore-based traffic management is that the master is in the best position to judge the local situation-how the ship handles, the effects of weather and tidal conditions, the traffic in the immediate vicinity and so on. But with the advent of integrated systems, including electronic charts, AIS, satellite positioning, radar data, voice communication, weather data, security information, cargo data and so on all becoming readily available the potential exists for introducing new ways of ensuring the safety of navigation and the protection of the environment.'
Mr O'Neil said he was particularly concerned about waterways that were congested and geographically restricted, as well as strategically significant shipping lanes and highly sensitive environmental areas.
'It is not beyond our ingenuity to take all of the factors into account, technical, legal, and mythical and to come up with a system of positive control for selected high risk areas which would substantially enhance the safe movement of vessels', Mr O'Neil added.
THE Conference went on to hear reports of the work carried out by iala during the previous four years. This work is mainly carried out through IALA's Committees, in special Workshops, and in co-operation with other international organisations, and had resulted in 21 new or revised Recommendations and 27 Guidelines, the aim of which is to establish uniform standards for the design and performance of aids to navigation, and for the training of operators.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights were represented at the Conference by Terence Johnson (Chairman), Mel Boyd (Chief Executive) who is also Treasurer and Chairman of IALA's Finance Advisory Committee, Capt. Shay Hickey (Inspector of Lights and Marine Superintendent), Dr Stuart Ruttle (Engineer-in-Chief), and Seamus Doyle (Engineering Operations Manager).
AN important aspect of the IALA Conference is the exchange of information through technical papers on a variety of management, operational, and engineering topics. Subjects on which Irish Lights representatives made contributions included Lightweight Buoys, Buoy Monitoring, The Future Conception of Maritime Differential GPS, Evaluation of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Signals, Lighthouse Alternative Use, US Coast Aid to Navigation Battery Resources Program, The Application and Implications of Modern Aids to Navigation Service Vessel Design, and The Introduction of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) into Trinity House Lighthouse Service.
The IALA General Assembly elected the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the 18 member IALA Council and adopted a Strategic Plan for the period 2002-2006.
IALA Conference Conclusions
Resulting from the presentations made during the Committee reports and technical sessions, the Conference reached the following conclusions-
1. The Conference had been very successful in:
• informing Members of the activities of the Association since 1998;
• maintaining a very high standard of presentations; and,
• attracting a very high class exhibition that was provided by Industrial Members.
2. Communication between IALA Headquarters and Members needs to be improved and greater use made of developments in Information Technology.
3. IALA should continue to maintain close working relations with IMO and, wherever practicable, serve as a centre of technical expertise to assist in the implementation of IMO instruments related to aids to navigation, VTS and AIS.
4. The use of computer based learning and simulation are valuable means of assisting in the training of VTS and aids to navigation personnel.
5. There is an increasing need to use Risk Assessment and Risk Management techniques when considering the implementation, review or operation of aids to navigation, including VTS.
6. Many National Members are concerned about the serious environmental problem that the disposal of batteries and other hazardous materials can present.
7. There is an increasing need for National Members to consider the introduction of environmental management systems within their organisation.
8. High speed craft necessitate specific solutions in the provision of aids to navigation and ship tracking procedures.
9. The spectral and spatial characteristics of new and developing lights differ from the light sources that they are replacing and standardisation of these characteristics would benefit both users and manufacturers.
10. Matters relating to the implementation and deployment of DGNSS, including the provision of DGPS for inland waters, need to be kept under review.
11. There may be a need in the near future to study the interaction between VTS, inland ECDIS and AIS and prepare appropriate guidelines.
12. There is a need for studies relating to the human factors associated with the implementation of AIS to be shared between Authorities.
After consideration of the papers presented and the conclusions reached, the Conference recommended that:
1. The methods of communication used within IALA be reviewed and improved. The IALA web-site be made more user-friendly and interactive facilities incorporated.
2. A database of technical experts is established to assist National Members in VTS, AIS, aids to navigation and related cost/benefit analyses.
3. A programme of technical co-operation is established to assist Members in implementing and operating aids to navigation services, including VTS, which are necessary to supplement requirements resulting from IMO instruments.
4. A formal arrangement with IMO relating to technical co-operation is established.
5. A recommendation or guidelines addressing the training of aids to navigation personnel be prepared and should include guidance on the use of simulators and computer-based distance learning (e-learning) to assist in the training.
6. The current work on generic risk management modelling being undertaken by a Working Group established by the Secretary General is treated with urgency.
7. Guidelines are developed on the disposal of batteries and other hazardous materials.
8. Guidelines are developed on the provision of aids to navigation systems for high speed craft.
9. A study is made into the information available on the spectral and spatial characteristics of new and developing lights, with particular attention being paid to LEDs. When sufficient information is available, appropriate IALA Recommendations and guidelines should be reviewed and up-dated as necessary.
10. Consideration is given to arranging a seminar for VTS and aids to navigation authorities to enable the results of research and studies into the human factors associated with the implementation of AIS to be discussed.
It is planned that the next Conference will take place in Shanghai, China, in 2006.
What is IALA?
IALA is a non-governmental association that brings together services and organisations concerned with the provision, maintenance, and operations of marine aids to navigation and allied activities. The aim of the Association is to foster the safe, economic and expeditious movement of vessels through the improvement and harmonisation of aids to navigation and marine traffic management practices.
IALA has three categories of membership, National, Associate, and Industrial. At present there are approximately 80 National Members who are authorities with legal responsibilities for aids to navigation in their country. These responsibilities in many cases include vessel traffic services.
There are approximately 30 Associate Members who are any other service, organisation, or scientific agency that is concerned with aids to navigation or related matters. Industrial Members, of whom there are about 70, include manufacturers and distributors of VTS and aids to navigation equipment and services as well as consultants specialising in these fields.
How does the Association work? A General Assembly of all members is convened at four yearly intervals as part of the programme of IALA Conferences. The General Assembly considers and adopts changes to the Constitution of the Association and elects a Council of 20 National Members, each being from a different country. The arrangements for electing the Council ensure that all parts of the world are represented.
The Council has a number of responsibilities, amongst them are:
• Developing policies to ensure the implementation of the aims and principles of the Association as set out in its Constitution.
• Establishing Committees to carry out technical and operational studies relevant to those policies, and appointing their Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen.
• Adopting recommendations and guidelines resulting from technical and operational studies.
The Committee structure has recently been revised. The Panel on the Preservation of Historic Lighthouses has been merged with the Engineering Committee. The AIS Committee will be merged with the Radio Navigation Committee. The Operations Committee has been overhauled and is now the Aids to Navigation Management Committee. Shared communication between Committees, Secretariat, and Council has been improved by establishing a Policy Advisory Panel and by appointing rapporteurs who follow particular subjects.
The Council and all the Committees normally meet at approximately six-monthly intervals.
In addition to these permanent bodies, a Workshop may be convened when a matter arises that is either:
• urgent;
• requires advice from experts not available from within the Committees; or,
• there is a need to inform members of the development of a new or emerging technology, particularly when harmonisation or rationalisation of resources might be involved.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, many of the best minds on earth were engaged in finding ways to industrialise our planet, a by-product of which was a gradual laying to waste of certain of the earth's natural resources and an erosion of our environment. Only in the later part of the 20th century did we begin to realise just how fragile our environment is and how great mankind's capacity to damage it can be. Now, many of the best brains are working on ways of protecting the environment, regenerating damaged ecosystems and developing sustainable ways to use the resources which nature has provided us with.
-William O'Neil, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, speaking at the IALA Conference.
IALA, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, held its 15th Conference in Sydney, Australia, from 10 to 15 March 2002. The Conference, which is held every four years, enables lighthouse authorities from all over the world to exchange views and information related to topical issues.
OPENING the Conference, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Senator Ron Boswell, welcomed delegates to Sydney, reminding them that this was the first IALA Conference to be held in the southern hemisphere. The theme of the Conference was 'aids to navigation and the environment' and there was no better country to assess the combination of both. He gave examples of steps taken to safeguard navigation in critical areas of Australia's coast that were environmentally sensitive, navigationally restricted, or had high traffic densities, particularly recommendations designed to improve ship safety and environmental protection in the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait. He also referred to the need for better safety and security in the marine industry following the tragic events of 11 September 2001.
DR Ulrich Klinge, President of IALA, reported that the Technical Committees of IALA had been productive in bringing forward clear and unambiguous guidance to harmonise international standards for planning, calculating, implementing, and operating classical aids to navigation as well as radio aids, vessel traffic services (VTS), and automatic identification systems (AIS).
Dr Klinge told delegates IALA needed to co-operate closely with other organisations in the domain of international harmonisation of navigational infrastructure safety, particularly the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
'On board technology and navigational decision processes interact with VTS and other aids to navigation; they need to be harmonised to make them compatible within the framework of an integrated systems technology. Therefore we consider combined and concerted actions and efforts with IMO an imperative and indispensable pre-condition for the safety of navigation which, in turn, can make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment', Dr Klinge said.
IN his keynote address William O'Neil, Secretary General of the IMO, emphasised the rôle of new technology. He said that information technology could deliver almost anything we asked of it. 'For instance, it is quite possible to conceive of a global traffic management system, based on long-range AIS, feeding information into local traffic control systems responsible for ports, coastal sea lanes or straits. While this is technically feasible, we cannot ignore that there are difficult issues involving political, economic, and social factors that surface whenever we attempt to extend our conceptual thinking beyond the boundaries of established practice.
'Nevertheless, we must not shy away from tackling them if we are to ensure that the new technology is utilised to the fullest and is employed effectively. For example, if we look dispassionately at the relationship between the ship's master and shore-based traffic management, we can see that new technology could have a significant bearing on how this could be treated in the future. The traditional objection to shore-based traffic management is that the master is in the best position to judge the local situation-how the ship handles, the effects of weather and tidal conditions, the traffic in the immediate vicinity and so on. But with the advent of integrated systems, including electronic charts, AIS, satellite positioning, radar data, voice communication, weather data, security information, cargo data and so on all becoming readily available the potential exists for introducing new ways of ensuring the safety of navigation and the protection of the environment.'
Mr O'Neil said he was particularly concerned about waterways that were congested and geographically restricted, as well as strategically significant shipping lanes and highly sensitive environmental areas.
'It is not beyond our ingenuity to take all of the factors into account, technical, legal, and mythical and to come up with a system of positive control for selected high risk areas which would substantially enhance the safe movement of vessels', Mr O'Neil added.
THE Conference went on to hear reports of the work carried out by iala during the previous four years. This work is mainly carried out through IALA's Committees, in special Workshops, and in co-operation with other international organisations, and had resulted in 21 new or revised Recommendations and 27 Guidelines, the aim of which is to establish uniform standards for the design and performance of aids to navigation, and for the training of operators.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights were represented at the Conference by Terence Johnson (Chairman), Mel Boyd (Chief Executive) who is also Treasurer and Chairman of IALA's Finance Advisory Committee, Capt. Shay Hickey (Inspector of Lights and Marine Superintendent), Dr Stuart Ruttle (Engineer-in-Chief), and Seamus Doyle (Engineering Operations Manager).
AN important aspect of the IALA Conference is the exchange of information through technical papers on a variety of management, operational, and engineering topics. Subjects on which Irish Lights representatives made contributions included Lightweight Buoys, Buoy Monitoring, The Future Conception of Maritime Differential GPS, Evaluation of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Signals, Lighthouse Alternative Use, US Coast Aid to Navigation Battery Resources Program, The Application and Implications of Modern Aids to Navigation Service Vessel Design, and The Introduction of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) into Trinity House Lighthouse Service.
The IALA General Assembly elected the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the 18 member IALA Council and adopted a Strategic Plan for the period 2002-2006.
IALA Conference Conclusions
Resulting from the presentations made during the Committee reports and technical sessions, the Conference reached the following conclusions-
1. The Conference had been very successful in:
• informing Members of the activities of the Association since 1998;
• maintaining a very high standard of presentations; and,
• attracting a very high class exhibition that was provided by Industrial Members.
2. Communication between IALA Headquarters and Members needs to be improved and greater use made of developments in Information Technology.
3. IALA should continue to maintain close working relations with IMO and, wherever practicable, serve as a centre of technical expertise to assist in the implementation of IMO instruments related to aids to navigation, VTS and AIS.
4. The use of computer based learning and simulation are valuable means of assisting in the training of VTS and aids to navigation personnel.
5. There is an increasing need to use Risk Assessment and Risk Management techniques when considering the implementation, review or operation of aids to navigation, including VTS.
6. Many National Members are concerned about the serious environmental problem that the disposal of batteries and other hazardous materials can present.
7. There is an increasing need for National Members to consider the introduction of environmental management systems within their organisation.
8. High speed craft necessitate specific solutions in the provision of aids to navigation and ship tracking procedures.
9. The spectral and spatial characteristics of new and developing lights differ from the light sources that they are replacing and standardisation of these characteristics would benefit both users and manufacturers.
10. Matters relating to the implementation and deployment of DGNSS, including the provision of DGPS for inland waters, need to be kept under review.
11. There may be a need in the near future to study the interaction between VTS, inland ECDIS and AIS and prepare appropriate guidelines.
12. There is a need for studies relating to the human factors associated with the implementation of AIS to be shared between Authorities.
After consideration of the papers presented and the conclusions reached, the Conference recommended that:
1. The methods of communication used within IALA be reviewed and improved. The IALA web-site be made more user-friendly and interactive facilities incorporated.
2. A database of technical experts is established to assist National Members in VTS, AIS, aids to navigation and related cost/benefit analyses.
3. A programme of technical co-operation is established to assist Members in implementing and operating aids to navigation services, including VTS, which are necessary to supplement requirements resulting from IMO instruments.
4. A formal arrangement with IMO relating to technical co-operation is established.
5. A recommendation or guidelines addressing the training of aids to navigation personnel be prepared and should include guidance on the use of simulators and computer-based distance learning (e-learning) to assist in the training.
6. The current work on generic risk management modelling being undertaken by a Working Group established by the Secretary General is treated with urgency.
7. Guidelines are developed on the disposal of batteries and other hazardous materials.
8. Guidelines are developed on the provision of aids to navigation systems for high speed craft.
9. A study is made into the information available on the spectral and spatial characteristics of new and developing lights, with particular attention being paid to LEDs. When sufficient information is available, appropriate IALA Recommendations and guidelines should be reviewed and up-dated as necessary.
10. Consideration is given to arranging a seminar for VTS and aids to navigation authorities to enable the results of research and studies into the human factors associated with the implementation of AIS to be discussed.
It is planned that the next Conference will take place in Shanghai, China, in 2006.
What is IALA?
IALA is a non-governmental association that brings together services and organisations concerned with the provision, maintenance, and operations of marine aids to navigation and allied activities. The aim of the Association is to foster the safe, economic and expeditious movement of vessels through the improvement and harmonisation of aids to navigation and marine traffic management practices.
IALA has three categories of membership, National, Associate, and Industrial. At present there are approximately 80 National Members who are authorities with legal responsibilities for aids to navigation in their country. These responsibilities in many cases include vessel traffic services.
There are approximately 30 Associate Members who are any other service, organisation, or scientific agency that is concerned with aids to navigation or related matters. Industrial Members, of whom there are about 70, include manufacturers and distributors of VTS and aids to navigation equipment and services as well as consultants specialising in these fields.
How does the Association work? A General Assembly of all members is convened at four yearly intervals as part of the programme of IALA Conferences. The General Assembly considers and adopts changes to the Constitution of the Association and elects a Council of 20 National Members, each being from a different country. The arrangements for electing the Council ensure that all parts of the world are represented.
The Council has a number of responsibilities, amongst them are:
• Developing policies to ensure the implementation of the aims and principles of the Association as set out in its Constitution.
• Establishing Committees to carry out technical and operational studies relevant to those policies, and appointing their Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen.
• Adopting recommendations and guidelines resulting from technical and operational studies.
The Committee structure has recently been revised. The Panel on the Preservation of Historic Lighthouses has been merged with the Engineering Committee. The AIS Committee will be merged with the Radio Navigation Committee. The Operations Committee has been overhauled and is now the Aids to Navigation Management Committee. Shared communication between Committees, Secretariat, and Council has been improved by establishing a Policy Advisory Panel and by appointing rapporteurs who follow particular subjects.
The Council and all the Committees normally meet at approximately six-monthly intervals.
In addition to these permanent bodies, a Workshop may be convened when a matter arises that is either:
• urgent;
• requires advice from experts not available from within the Committees; or,
• there is a need to inform members of the development of a new or emerging technology, particularly when harmonisation or rationalisation of resources might be involved.