AIDS TO NAVIGATION
FEATURE SPONSOR
NAVIGATIONAL AIDS Preventing collisions at sea
A thorough understanding of the use of electronic navigational aids together with frequent training in their use is vital to safety at sea and the prevention of marine casualties, says Andrew Oliver.
OVER-RELIANCE ON ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS Today, most vessels are completely electronic. However, the mariner should be wary of over-reliance on electronic systems which, whilst more accurate than manual positioning and observation, still require human interpretation, input and thought. In particular, it should be noted that we are talking about navigational aids; they are only an aid to the vessel’s officers. In addition, electronics can go wrong, give corrupt entries and be unreliable. Proper regard must be given at all times to equipment accuracy, as over-reliance on the output from one single navigational aid can cause difficulties.
If an incident occurs, such as a grounding or a collision, then it is not a sufficient excuse or valid defence to plead reliance on the electronics. It is still necessary for the watch keeper to show he correctly operated the equipment (which includes checking its accuracy on start-up), that he interpreted the information displayed and acted upon it correctly.
FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF SAFETY AT SEA
The fundamental requirements of safety at sea are contained in the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. Navigational aids are covered by Regulation 19 of chapter V of SOLAS, which was last published in 2002. In turn, those requirements are given force in English law by the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 number 1473).
As a result, vessels built after 1 July 2002 must comply with SOLAS chapter V 2002 in terms of navigational aids. Vessels built before that date can continue to comply with chapter V 1974 save that they must have a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), a terrestrial radio navigation system, an automatic identification system (AIS) as well as a voyage data recorder. These items should be installed in accordance with the timetabled phase in set out under the regulations.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATION Not only must the necessary electronic equipment be installed on board but those using it must be properly certificated and trained in its operation. Failure to provide training may result in personal liability for the operator and questions about the owner's overall vessel management regime, creating the risk of criminal prosecution.
AWARENESS Finally, Rule 5 of the International Regulation for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972 (the COLREGS) requires watch keepers to maintain a proper lookout at all times.
As stated in the Marine Guidance Notes 379 (M+F), accidents have occurred on vessels equipped with the best possible navigational aids as a result of over-reliance on those aids and where disasters could have been averted by engagement of the best navigational aid of the lot – the human brain!
Andrew Oliver Head of Renewable Energy Andrew Jackson Solicitors
Click to view more info
22
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100