Outcome 1
- Safety and Environmental Protection Standards
- Monitoring Compliance with Standards
- Response to Marine Pollution Incidents
- Systems to Aid Safe Navigation
Outcome 2
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Output 1.4: Major Activities 2002-2003
Navigational Services Advisory Committee
The Navigational Services Advisory Committee (NSAC), AMSA's principal consultative forum on navigational services matters in Australian waters, met twice during the year, in December 2002 and June 2003. The Committee generally concurred with AMSA's proposals in relation to the future directions for the aids to navigation network and addressed the following major issues:
- implementation of measures to promote ship safety and pollution prevention in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait;
- review of the aids to navigation network around Australia;
- upgrading of the mandatory REEFREP ship reporting system which operates in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait;
- the success of Universal Automatic Identification System (AIS) trials and the use of programmed position reporting using Inmarsat C for monitoring ships transiting the REEFREP ship reporting region and the subsequent delivery of enhanced ship traffic information;
- progress in the production of Electronic Navigational Charts by the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Office; and
- AMSA's Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) program.
Improvements to the Aids to Navigation Network
During 2002-2003, the aids to navigation network was maintained at a level of availability above the relevant IALA standards. Improvements to the network continued through a number of major projects:
- The establishment of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
broadcast stations at Darwin and Exmouth. This completes a program commenced
in 1994 to provide a national network of
16 DGPS stations for the maritime industry. - Completion of a number of tasks in South Australia that include upgrading lights at South Page Island and Cape Banks, discontinuation of lights at North Neptune Island and Snapper Point, and transfer of the Cape Willoughby light to the State Government.
- Seven buoys have been laid to assist vessels up to 10 metres in draught to navigate LADS Passage (Fairway Channel) in the Great Barrier Reef. This interim arrangement is being followed by work on 14 new aids (nine fixed structures and five buoys) scheduled for completion by mid 2004. The marking of LADS Passage will provide a higher degree of safety and a shorter transit time (one to one and half hours) for vessels traversing the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Cape York.
- Work is underway to fabricate three new structures that will mark
a deeper and safer route through the Great North East Channel.
A new structure, that will augment the existing real time tidal height broadcast in the Prince of Wales Channel with current and tidal information, is being built at Nardana Patches. Both projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2003. - Other projects included the installation of a new tower at New Year Island in the Northern Territory, the addition of a racon at Piper Island in Queensland and the upgrading of the lights on Cull Island and North West Island in Western Australia.
Cape
Willoughby lighthouse, transferred to the South Australian State Government
in June 2003.
Great Barrier Reef Ship Reporting System Management Group
It is mandatory for certain ships in the Torres Strait and inner route of the Great Barrier Reef to regularly report their position to the REEFREP Ship Reporting System, a joint facility of AMSA and the Queensland Department of Transport. The REEFREP system employs a VHF radio network at sites distributed throughout the region to interact and communicate with shipping together with a radar system to monitor shipping movements at strategic locations and provide enhanced traffic information.
The Ship Reporting System Management Group provides the overarching leadership, high-level strategic oversight, long-term direction and viability of the REEFREP. It comprises representatives from AMSA and Queensland Transport and met twice during the year in August 2002 and May 2003.
The Group continued to implement the recommendations of a comprehensive review of the REEFREP Ship Reporting System, primarily focusing on the upgrading of its role to an internationally recognised Coastal Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). The VTS is intended to have the capability to interact with shipping traffic and to respond to traffic situations developing in the region with the availability of near real time information that can be provided to ships to aid on-board navigational decision-making.
The VTS also would regularly broadcast safety information to ships in the region including the position, identity and intentions of other traffic, sea conditions, weather, navigational hazards and any factors that may affect the ship's transit. While the current system performs ship monitoring and information provision functions, the VTS will aim to upgrade the quality of the service through enhanced Ship Traffic Information services and greater use of automation to deliver services.
Reef Centre
Maritime Safety Communications Network
AMSA continued to provide Australian coastal navigation warnings to the State and Northern Territory operated Limited Coast Radio Stations for transmission to small craft on HF and VHF radio. During 2002-2003, 440 messages were broadcast to ships at sea on a wide range of incidents such as faults with particular aids to navigation, ship breakdowns, hazards to navigation, marine pollution, and distress situations.