IMO Secretary General CoViD-19 briefing
In an address on 20 March IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim stressed the vital need to maintain commerce by sea and protect seafarers’ welfare in the face of the coronavirus shut down.
‘It is, therefore, crucially important that the flow of commerce by sea should not be unnecessarily disrupted. At the same time, the safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment must also remain paramount.’
The 14th IALA Symposium is postponed
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and IALA regrettably announce that the 14th IALA Symposium and all activities planned for 24-29 May 2020 will unfortunately have to be postponed.
IFAN calls on owners to pay their way on navigation dues
The board of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) has met in London and highlighted the issue of non-payment of navigational dues as critical to the ongoing modernisation and provision of aids to navigation in the Gulf region.
The Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS, a subsidiary of IFAN) has been providing these services since 1911 as no state owns the aids to navigation in the joint waters of the Gulf. This service is funded exclusively by payment of navigation dues, and the sustainability of the existing service, on which the shipping industry depends, is totally dependent on receipt of these dues.
EASA issues safety directive to combat spread of COVID-19 via airline travel
It was announced from Cologne on 13 March that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a safety directive to reduce the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus through flights to and from high risk areas. This is the first EU-wide operational measure to control the spread of COVID- 19 in Europe.
The safety directive specifies measures to be taken for flights serving high-risk destinations. It mandates thorough disinfecting and cleaning of aircraft which operate from high-risk destinations after each flight. Exceptions can be made only when disinfectants with a longer-lasting effect are used – but even in those cases a thorough disinfection is mandated no later than 24 hours after departure from a high-risk airport.
Coronavirus: nitrogen dioxide emissions drop over Italy
See video extract here.
New data from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite reveal the decline of air pollution, specifically nitrogen dioxide emissions, over Italy. This reduction is particularly visible in northern Italy which coincides with its nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The animation shows the fluctuation of nitrogen dioxide emissions across Europe from 1 January 2020 until 11 March 2020, using a 10-day moving average. These data are thanks to the Tropomi instrument on board the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite which maps a multitude of air pollutants around the globe.
IEEE/ION PLANS 2020 cancelled
After careful consideration, the (US) Institute of Navigation has announcing that the IEEE/ION Position Location and Navigation Symposium (PLANS) scheduled to take place from 20 to 23 April in Portland, Oregon has been cancelled.
The Institute’s decision to cancel this meeting was based on:
– The World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic.
– The US government has restricted travel into the U.S. from Asia and Europe (United Kingdom excluded).
– The Governor of Oregon has called for all gatherings of over 250 people to be cancelled for the next four weeks.
CANSO statement on global impact of COVID-19 on aviation
From Amsterdam on 12 March the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) issued a statement as the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to cause serious public health concerns, the significant drop in travel demand it has triggered is impacting all regions and all those whose job it is to ensure safe and efficient global connectivity by air.
During this challenging time, CANSO is committed to working with the industry to deliver seamless service.
In the words of Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General: ‘The air traffic management industry that CANSO represents plays a vital role in the aviation system and has always been committed to public safety as our first priority.’
NP136 Ocean Passages for the World
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) are planning a new edition of ADMIRALTY Ocean Passages for the World (NP136).
First published in 1895, this publication is designed to support mariners in the planning of deep sea voyages along major trade routes, with details of weather, currents, ice hazards and other environmental features that may be encountered in transit.
Ocean Passages for the World (NP136) supports the planning of deep-sea voyages on most major routes, with details of weather, currents, ice hazards and distances between major ports.
Members of IAIN are encouraged to complete this latest survey as soon as possible to ensure that small craft users and others do not lose the sailing route information used for ocean passage planning purposes that was formerly included. The survey, which is being run by the UKHO, should only take about five minutes to complete and can be found here.
IHMA Congress Hobart rescheduled to 5-8 October 2020
At IHMA the staff of the secretariat have been keeping abreast of updates from the WHO and national and local authorities. They have taken into consideration all available information, weighed all possible options and have come to the difficult decision to reschedule the IHMA Congress which was due to take place in Hobart on 23-26 March 2020.
The 2020 Congress will now be held in Hobart at the Grand Chancellor Hotel on 5-8 October 2020.
It is reported that current speakers, many of whom have already prepared their papers and presentations, will be able to attend the Congress on the rescheduled dates in October.
Easy access rules for unmanned aircraft systems published
On 4 March EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) reported publication of the applicable rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft. These are displayed in a consolidated, easy-to-read format with advanced navigation features through links and bookmarks.
US seeks object tracking technology for seas and waterways
It was announced from Washington DC on 27 February that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) is seeking start-ups to develop or adapt a system to more clearly mark and track objects in the water.
Known as the new Maritime Object Tracking Technology an invitation was posted that day for a new technology that could become a valuable part of mission execution for the US Coast Guard (USCG).
ION GNSS+ 2020 call for abstracts
Submit your abstract today for ION GNSS+ 2020: GNSS + Other Sensors in Today’s Marketplace, the 33rd International Technical Meeting of the ION Satellite Division. The conference will take place from 21 to 25 September (Tutorials 22 September) at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri.
ION GNSS+ 2020 is said to be the world’s largest technical meeting and showcase of GNSS technology, products and services.
Transport Committee MEPs visit Belgian air traffic control centre
On 18 February members of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (illustrated) toured the Belgian air traffic control centre at Brussels Airport to discover how air traffic management (ATM) works in practice. They were invited as guests of skeyes, the Belgian air navigation services provider (ANSP), and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), which represents 35 European ANSPs.
The tour, which involved MEPs from across the political spectrum, included a visit to the skeyes air traffic control tower, the joint civil-military air traffic control centre and the training facility.
The 2020 annual workshop of graduate students in Systems and Control
GSC’20 is organized by Professor A Khina and Professor M Margaliot and will be held on 4 May 2020 at the School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University.
Deadline for submissions is 5 April 2020, which is also the deadline for expressing interest to be a candidate for the IAAC Prize – see details in the call. The workshop is, as usual, free of charge, but requires advance registration – details to follow.
UK and Ireland Light Dues 2020 to 2021
One of Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani’s last duties before leaving office on 13 February was to make a written statement on Light Dues, the means of financing the marine aids to navigation services of the United Kingdom.
In the document she said: ‘Reductions in the three General Lighthouse Authorities’ running costs have enabled the UK to reduce light dues on four occasions since 2014. For 2020 to 2021 I intend to freeze light dues rates at 37.5 pence per net registered tonne. This will mean that light dues will have fallen by 30% in real terms since 2010.’
‘Light dues rates will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the General Lighthouse Authorities are challenged to provide an effective and efficient service which offers value for money to light dues payers.’
IAIN at IMO – an update
The year 2019 was completed with the 31st Assembly of IMO. For 2020, alongside the move towards autonomous shipping, and the safeguards required to ensure safe navigation of those vessels (and their interaction with all other, non-autonomous vessels) in all conditions, two major matters have the continuing support of IAIN. These are:
– NCSR 7/7 – Revision of the Guidelines for VTS (draft Assembly Resolution) following the excellent work of IALA, aimed at bringing the three current levels of VTS into a simplified and more applicable single layer structure;
– NCSR 7/10 – Safety Measures for non-SOLAS ships operating in Polar waters, to increase the levels of safety of vessels operating in waters where weather conditions can be extreme, and where SAR facilities are limited.
Both these measures, under debate at IMO’s Navigation, Communications and Search-and-Rescue Sub-Committee in January 2020, are effectively being fast-tracked, with the hope that they will complete passage through IMO’s Committees to final approval by the end of 2020. IAIN will continue to use its representation and best efforts to lobby to that end.
News from the Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM)
On 4 February CIRM published two important documents:
– CIRM Cyber Risk Code of Practice for Vendors of Marine Electronic Equipment and Services
– CIRM Guideline GL-002 – Implementing the CIRM Cyber Risk Code of Practice
Both documents, launched on 4 February, are freely available on the CIRM website in the Publications Section. The Code and Guideline were developed over two years by the CIRM Cyber Risk Working Group and subsequently approved by the Technical Steering Committee.
Digital tools in new shipping routes in Danish waters
On July 1, 2020, new shipping routes will be established in Kattegat and Skagerrak. The routes will increase the safety of navigation for the 70,000 ships that pass through these waters annually. This was reported by the DMA on 4 February.
Work is currently underway on the production of new charts and information for vessels so that the Danish and Swedish maritime authorities can be ready for the final establishment on 1 July 2020. The Danish Maritime Authority is preparing the new shipping routes in collaboration with the Swedish Transport Agency and the charting authorities in both countries. The new shipping routes were approved by the IMO, in 2018.
The Navigator No 23 – Situational awareness explored
The key role that situational awareness plays is examined in depth in the latest edition of The Navigator, the free publication from The Nautical Institute aimed at maritime navigators around the world.
Articles include a discussion from David Patraiko, Director of Projects at The Nautical Institute about how good situational awareness involves every single one of our senses, while Third Officer, Anna Carofano discusses her experiences onboard a cruise ship, and the ways in which she practises good situational awareness at work. An accident report explores how poor situational awareness on the bridge led to two vessels colliding at night.
ION announces annual award winners
The Institute of Navigation announced winners of its 2019 Annual Awards at the ION International Technical Meeting and Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications meeting held in San Diego, California, 21 to 24 January.
The Per Enge Early Achievement Award was received by Dr Ramsey Faragher
The Distinguished PTTI Service Award was received by Pascal Rochat
The Dr Samuel M Burka Award was received by Dr Jordan D Larson, Dr Demoz Gebre-Egziabher and Dr Jason H Rife
The Captain P V H Weems Award was received by Dr Joseph J Rushanan
The Tycho Brahe Award was received by Dr André Hauschild
The Norman P Hays Award was received by James J Miller
The Thomas L Thurlow Award was received by Dr Zaher (Zak) M Kassas
The Distinguished Service Award was received by Dr Suneel I Sheikh.
The Officers era and Member Organisations of IAIN congratulate all the new ION Award winners.
The (US) Institute of Navigation announces 2020 Fellows
It was reported from Manassas, Virginia, on 27 January that the (US) Institute of Navigation (ION) had announced recipients of the 2020 Fellowships.
The new Fellows are:
Dr José Ángel Ávila Rodri?guez for his pioneering contributions to the design of the Galileo signal plan, and leadership in the modernization of Galileo.
Dr Yang Gao for significant contribution to the development, dissemination and commercialization of high-precision GNSS technologies; and for significant educational and training impact on navigation engineers and professionals.
Dr Todd E Humphreys for significant and fundamental contributions to PNT security and precise GNSS positioning for the mass market, and for dedication to GNSS education and outreach.
The Officers and Member Organisations of IAIN congratulate all the newly elected Fellows.
Navmoor announces monitoring and control systems
On 22 January Navmoor Aids to Navigation of Brecon, Wales launched an innovative monitoring system. This has been developed and driven by the marine industry and its quest for sustainable knowledge, it is reported.
In a world where outages and costly repairs drastically impact annual budgets and environmental targets the devices indicate the condition of an asset at any time, and, particularly, when it is failing or out of action.
This is regarded as sustainable IOT-condition based monitoring with a portal designed for the marine industry by those involved with that industry.
An interesting introduction to the service is to be found here.
US Navy land navigation training
Our picture shows US Navy Seaman Luke Jacobs, a student with Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry – West, preparing to step off at the start of a land navigation evaluation as part of the course’s individual skills phase at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Students must remain 50 metres apart from each other and locate ten points on their own. The image was issued from Camp Pendleton, California on 15 January.
UK’s Wargaming Centre inaugurated
The UK’s first dedicated, purpose designed wargaming centre has been unveiled by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The Defence Wargaming Centre (DWC) on Dstl’s Portsdown West site near Portsmouth will host wargames for all three services, with the RAF having conducted the first exercise, Eagle Warrior 19, last month, December 2019.
Dstl has a long history of delivering successful wargames on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other government departments, conducted both at Dstl and at other sites in the UK and overseas. Wargame participants experience the rigour and implications of decision making in a “safe to fail” environment, without the risk, expense and disruption of live exercises or real operations.
IAIN Awards 2021
Nominations for candidates for the IAIN Awards 2021 are now invited. The three awards are:
The Harrison Award – to recognise an individual or organization for ‘an outstanding contribution to navigation’.
The Necho Award – to recognise an individual, or organization, for ‘their contribution to the art and/or science of navigation in general over a number of years, or for a special achievement’.
Honorary Membership – in recognition of ‘an individual’s contribution to the activities of the Association’.
It is expected that most nominations will be submitted by a member
organisation, but nominations by individuals will be considered. The nomination form and rules can be found on the IAIN website. Nominations should be forwarded to the Secretary General in the first instance and must be received before 31 October 2020 in order to be admissible.