On 25 February, AMSA hosted the sixth Navigation Safety Advisory Group (NSAG) meeting at its Sydney office. The Australian Hydrographic Service, port and state marine authorities, shipping association and ship manager interests, and coastal pilots were represented. NSAG is the peak consultative body to AMSA for matters relating to our responsibilities for the safety of navigation in Australian waters. Its role is to provide a forum for members to discuss issues of common interest and concern in relation to the safety of navigation.
During the first half of the meeting, the group dealt with shipboard navigation issues, including developments at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the draft North-East Shipping Management Plan, charting and hydrography, e-navigation and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) matters.
In the second half, the group discussed AMSA's management of its aids to navigation network including the outcome of the recent tender process. Good feedback was obtained on proposed new and altered aids and the preliminary results of a user survey on AMSA's Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) were discussed. Other items covered were vessel tracking and pilotage matters including the recent change to mandatory use by pilots of AMSA's Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system in the Torres Strait.
The next NSAG meeting is scheduled to be held in Sydney in August 2014.
