Marine Aids to Navigation in the Real World Today

Norman Matthews

Abstract:	The paper discusses the questions confronting Marine Aids to Navigation Authorities today. These Authorities have a duty to safeguard vessels in their waters and ensure the protection of the environment. Shipping casualties remain at a distressingly high level and the public demands action now. For example today we are faced with a bewildering array of new aids to navigation which will arrive on the scene in the future. GPS, GLONASS, ECDIS. Already VTS is proliferating world wide with its impact on shipping in harbour approaches. Should we put our entire faith in GPS which is basically a military system under the control of one nation, or should we put money into the extension of a terrestrially based radionavigation system such as Loran-C, under the control of the Authority concerned. Other questions arise concerning the integrity of GPS. Will there ever be a time of conflict when it will be degraded for defence reasons. Will GPS always be free of user charges and if not, how much of a burden will they be. The ideal situation would be to have an internationally controlled civil satellite system. However, it must be remembered that reaching any international agreement is a long and difficult process, especially if matters such as cost sharing become involved. In the meantime how do we plan for the future of traditional aids to navigation such as lights and buoys, will they still be needed and if so in what quantity, and of what type. All these questions of concern to aids to navigation providers demand a reply to avoid wrong decisions being made with disastrous consequences both for safety and for investment policy. To assist its 80 plus national members, IALA has developed a general guidance policy for its members to assist them in their planning and decision making. This policy will be of particular assistance to developing countries who have limited means and must invest in the future wisely. The paper discusses the development of this policy and attempts to present the current thinking of national authorities as to the way forward.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993) June 21 - 23, 1993 Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA
Pages:	15 - 18
Cite this article:	Matthews, Norman, "Marine Aids to Navigation in the Real World Today," Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993), Cambridge, MA, June 1993, pp. 15-18.
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