MSC.1/Circ.1288
AMENDMENTS TO RESOLUTION A.706(17) WORLD-WIDE NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICE
(9
December 2008)
1.
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fifth session (26 November to 5
December 2008), adopted amendments to annex 1, annex 2 and appendix of
resolution A.706(17) - World-Wide Navigational Warning Service. The revised
text, set out in annexes 1 and 2 to this circular, replaces the existing text
of annex 1, annex 2 and the appendix of resolution A.706(17).
2.
The Committee decided that the amendments should enter into force on 1 January
2010.
3.
This circular revokes MSC/Circ.685, MSC/Circ.750 and MSC/Circ.957.
Annex 1.
IMO/IHO WORLD-WIDE NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
1.1
The purpose of this document is to provide specific guidance for the
promulgation of internationally coordinated NAVAREA and coastal warnings. Its
guidance does not apply to purely national warning services which supplement
these internationally coordinated services.
1.2
The original resolution of the tenth International Hydrographic Conference in
1972 recommended the formation of an ad hoc joint IMO/IHO Commission to study
the "establishment of a coordinated, efficient global radio navigational
warning service". Subsequently, this became a purely IHO Commission known
as the Commission on Promulgation of Radio Navigational Warnings, which
nevertheless consulted continuously with IMO. In its report to the eleventh
International Hydrographic Conference in 1977, the Commission submitted a Draft
Plan for the Establishment of a World-Wide Navigational Warning System, also
referred to as Plan for the Establishment of a coordinated Radio Navigational
Warning Service. The title World-Wide Navigational Warning Service or WWNWS
used for this revised edition of the document reflects the evolution of the
system from a proposed action to an effective and fully operational coordinated
service. This revised edition reflects the evolution of the WWNWS since the
advent of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), as adopted by
the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System in November 1988, effective on 1 February 1992.
1.3
Future amendments to this guidance document will be considered formally and
approved by both IHO and IMO in accordance with the procedures set out in annex
2. Proposed amendments shall be evaluated by the IHO Commission on the
Promulgation of Radio Navigational Warnings, which includes an ex-officio
representative of the IMO Secretariat, prior to any extensive IHO or IMO
consideration.
2.1
For the purposes of the WWNWS, the following definitions apply:
.1 Coastal
warning means a navigational warning promulgated as part of a numbered series
by a National coordinator. Broadcast shall be made by the International NAVTEX
service to defined NAVTEX service areas and/or by the International SafetyNET
service to coastal warning areas. (In addition, Administrations may issue
coastal warnings by other means.)
.2 Coastal
warning area means a unique and precisely defined sea area within a NAVAREA or
Sub-Area established by a coastal State for the purpose of coordinating the
broadcast of coastal maritime safety information through the SafetyNET service.
.3 HF NBDP means
High Frequency narrow-band direct-printing, using radio telegraphy as defined
in Recommendation ITU-R M.688.
.4 In-force
bulletin means a list of serial numbers of those NAVAREA, Sub-Area or coastal
warnings in force issued and broadcast by the NAVAREA coordinator, Sub-Area
coordinator or National coordinator during at least the previous six weeks.
.5 International
NAVTEX service means the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception on 518
kHz of maritime safety information by means of narrow-band direct-printing
telegraphy using the English language1.
____________
1 As set out in the IMO NAVTEX
Manual.
.6 International
SafetyNET service means the coordinated broadcasting and automated reception of
maritime safety information via the Inmarsat Enhanced Group Call (EGC) system,
using the English language, in accordance with the provisions of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
.7 Local warning
means a navigational warning which covers inshore waters, often within the
limits of jurisdiction of a harbour or port authority.
.8 Maritime
safety information (MSI)2 means navigational and meteorological
warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages
broadcast to ships.
____________
2 As defined in regulation
IV/2 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended.
.9 METAREA means
a geographical sea area3 established for the purpose of coordinating
the broadcast of marine meteorological information. The term METAREA followed
by a roman numeral may be used to identify a particular sea area. The
delimitation of such areas is not related to and should not prejudice the
delimitation of any boundaries between States.
.10 National
coordinator means the national authority charged with collating and issuing
coastal warnings within a national area of responsibility.
.11 National
NAVTEX service means the broadcast and automatic reception of maritime safety
information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy using
frequencies other than 518 kHz and languages as decided by the Administration
concerned.
.12 National
SafetyNET service means the broadcasting and automated reception of maritime
safety information via the Inmarsat EGC system, using languages as decided by
the Administration concerned.
.13 NAVAREA
means a geographical sea area3 established for the purpose of
coordinating the broadcast of navigational warnings. The term NAVAREA followed
by a roman numeral may be used to identify a particular sea area. The
delimitation of such areas is not related to and should not prejudice the
delimitation of any boundaries between States.
____________
3 Which may include inland
seas, lakes and waterways navigable by sea-going ships.
.14 NAVAREA
coordinator means the authority charged with coordinating, collating and
issuing NAVAREA warnings for a designated NAVAREA.
.15 NAVAREA
warning means a navigational warning or in-force bulletin promulgated as part
of a numbered series by a NAVAREA coordinator.
.16 Navigational
warning means a message containing urgent information relevant to safe
navigation broadcast to ships in accordance with the provisions of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
.17 NAVTEX coordinator
means the authority charged with operating and managing one or more NAVTEX
stations broadcasting maritime safety information as part of the International
NAVTEX service.
.18 Sub-Area
means a sub-division of a NAVAREA in which a number of countries have
established a coordinated system for the promulgation of navigational warnings.
The delimitation of such areas is not related to and shall not prejudice the
delimitation of any boundaries between States.
.19 Sub-Area
coordinator means the authority charged with coordinating, collating and
issuing Sub-Area warnings for a designated Sub-Area.
.20 Sub-Area
warning means a navigational warning promulgated as part of a numbered series
by a Sub-Area coordinator. Broadcast shall be made by the International NAVTEX
service to defined NAVTEX service areas or by the International SafetyNET
service (through the appropriate NAVAREA coordinator).
.21 In the
operating procedures coordination means that the allocation of the time for
data broadcast is centralized, the format and criteria of data transmissions
are compliant as described in the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety
Information and that all services are managed as set out in resolutions
A.705(17), as amended and A.706(17), as amended.
3. NAVIGATIONAL
WARNING BROADCASTS
3.1.1
Two principal methods are used for broadcasting navigational warnings as part
of MSI in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, in the areas covered by these
methods, as follows:
.1 NAVTEX:
broadcasts to coastal waters; and
.2 SafetyNET:
broadcasts which cover all the waters of the globe except for sea area A4, as
defined by resolution A.801(19), Annex 3, paragraph 4, as amended.
3.1.2
Information shall be provided for unique and precisely defined sea areas, each
being served only by the most appropriate of the above systems. Although there
will be some duplication to allow a ship to change from one system to another,
the majority of messages will only be broadcast on one system.
3.1.3
NAVTEX broadcasts shall be made in accordance with the standards and procedures
set out in the NAVTEX Manual.
3.1.4
SafetyNET broadcasts shall be made in accordance with the standards and
procedures set out in the International SafetyNET Manual.
3.1.5
HF NBDP may be used to promulgate maritime safety information in areas outside
Inmarsat coverage (SOLAS regulation IV/7.1.5).
3.1.6
In addition, Administrations may also provide navigational warnings by other
means.
3.2.1
Automated methods (NAVTEX /SafetyNET)
3.2.1.1
Navigational warnings shall be broadcast as soon as possible or as dictated by
the nature and timing of the event. Normally, the initial broadcast should be
made as follows:
.1 for NAVTEX,
at the next scheduled broadcast, unless circumstances indicate the use of
procedures for VITAL or IMPORTANT warnings; and
.2 for SafetyNET, within 30 min of receipt of
original information, or at the next scheduled broadcast.
3.2.1.2
Navigational warnings shall be repeated in scheduled broadcasts in accordance
with the guidelines promulgated in the NAVTEX Manual and International
SafetyNET Manual as appropriate.
3.2.1.3
At least two scheduled daily broadcast times are necessary to provide adequate
promulgation of NAVAREA warnings. When NAVAREAs extend across more than six
time zones, more than two broadcasts should be considered to ensure that
warnings can be received. When using SafetyNET in lieu of NAVTEX for coastal
warnings, Administrations may need to consider an increase in the number of
scheduled daily broadcasts compared with the requirement for NAVAREA warnings.
3.2.2
Schedule changes
3.2.2.1
Broadcast times for NAVTEX are defined by the B1 character of the station,
allocated by the coordinating Panel on NAVTEX Services of the Sub-Committee on
Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue.
3.2.2.2
Times of scheduled broadcasts under the international SafetyNET service are
coordinated through the International SafetyNET coordinating Panel.
4.1.1
There are four types of navigational warnings: NAVAREA warnings, Sub-Area
warnings, coastal warnings and local warnings. The WWNWS guidance and
coordination are involved with only three of them:
.1 NAVAREA
warnings;
.2 Sub-Area
warnings; and
.3 coastal
warnings.
4.1.2
Navigational warnings shall remain in force until cancelled by the originating
coordinator. Navigational warnings should be broadcast for as long as the
information is valid; however, if they are readily available to mariners by
other official means, for example in Notices to Mariners, then after a period
of six weeks they may no longer be broadcast.
4.1.3
The minimum information in a navigational warning which a mariner requires is
"hazard" and "position". It is usual, however, to include
sufficient extra detail to allow some freedom of action in the vicinity of the
hazard. This means that the message should give enough extra data for the
mariner to be able to recognize the hazard and assess its effect upon his
navigation.
4.1.4
If known, the duration of the event causing a navigational warning should be
given in the text.
4.1.5
Some of the subjects for navigational warnings listed in paragraph 4.2.1.3
(e.g., drifting ice, tsunami warnings, negative tidal surges) may also be
suitable for promulgation as METAREA forecasts or warnings. In this event,
appropriate coordination between the relevant NAVAREA coordinator and METAREA
issuing Service must occur.
4.2 The four types of
navigational warnings are:
4.2.1.1
NAVAREA warnings are concerned with the information detailed below which
ocean-going mariners require for their safe navigation. This includes, in
particular, new navigational hazards and failures of important aids to
navigation as well as information which may require changes to planned
navigational routes.
4.2.1.2
Coastal warnings are broadcast by the International NAVTEX service, or by the
International SafetyNET service when implemented in lieu of NAVTEX. They are
not normally rebroadcast as NAVAREA warnings unless deemed of such significance
that the mariner should be aware of them before entering a NAVTEX service area.
The National coordinator will evaluate the significance of the information for
consideration as a NAVAREA warning while the NAVAREA coordinator will make the
final determination.
4.2.1.3
The following subjects are considered suitable for broadcast as NAVAREA
warnings. This list is not exhaustive and should be regarded only as a
guideline. Furthermore, it pre-supposes that sufficiently precise information
about the item has not previously been disseminated in a Notice to Mariners:
.1 casualties to
lights, fog signals, buoys and other aids to navigation affecting main shipping
lanes;
.2 the presence
of dangerous wrecks in or near main shipping lanes and, if relevant, their
marking;
.3 establishment
of major new aids to navigation or significant changes to existing ones when
such establishment or change, might be misleading to shipping;
.4 the presence
of large unwieldy tows in congested waters;
.5 drifting
hazards (including derelict ships, ice, mines, containers, other large items,
etc.);
.6 areas where
search and rescue (SAR) and anti-pollution operations are being carried out
(for avoidance of such areas);
.7 the presence
of newly discovered rocks, shoals, reefs and wrecks likely to constitute a
danger to shipping, and, if relevant, their marking;
.8 unexpected
alteration or suspension of established routes;
.9 cable or
pipe-laying activities, the towing of large submerged objects for research or
exploration purposes, the employment of manned or unmanned submersibles, or
other underwater operations constituting potential dangers in or near shipping
lanes;
.10 the
establishment of research or scientific instruments in or near shipping lanes;
.11 the
establishment of offshore structures in or near shipping lanes;
.12 significant
malfunctioning of radio-navigation services and shore-based maritime safety
information radio or satellite services;
.13 information
concerning special operations which might affect the safety of shipping,
sometimes over wide areas, e.g., naval exercises, missile firings, space
missions, nuclear tests, ordnance dumping zones, etc. It is important that
where the degree of hazard is known, this information is included in the
relevant warning. Whenever possible such warnings should be originated not less
than five days in advance of the scheduled event and reference may be made to
relevant national publications in the warning;
.14 acts of
piracy and armed robbery against ships;
.15 tsunamis and
other natural phenomena, such as abnormal changes to sea level;
.16 World Health
Organization (WHO) health advisory information; and
.17 security
related requirements4.
_______________
4 In accordance with the
requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
4.2.2.1
Sub-Area warnings broadcast information which is necessary for safe navigation
within a Sub-Area. They will normally include all subjects listed in 4.2.1.3
above, but will usually affect only the Sub-Area.
4.2.3.1
Coastal warnings broadcast information which is necessary for safe navigation
within areas seaward of the fairway buoy or pilot station, and should not be
restricted to main shipping lanes. Where the area is served by NAVTEX, it
should provide navigational warnings for the entire NAVTEX service area. Where
the area is not served by NAVTEX, it is necessary to include all warnings relevant
to the coastal waters up to 250 miles from the coast in the International
SafetyNET service broadcast.
4.2.3.2
Coastal warnings should include at least the subjects in 4.2.1.3.
4.2.4.1
Local warnings broadcast information which cover inshore waters, often within
the limits of jurisdiction of a harbour or port authority. They are broadcast
by means other than NAVTEX or SafetyNET, and supplement coastal warnings by
giving detailed information within inshore waters.
5.1.1
Operational guidance for handling and formatting navigational warnings is given
in the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information, the NAVTEX
Manual and the International SafetyNET Manual.
5.2.1
Navigational warnings in each series shall be consecutively numbered throughout
the calendar year, commencing with 0001 at 0000 UTC on 1 January.
5.2.2
Navigational warnings should, as a general rule, be transmitted in reverse
numerical order on scheduled broadcasts.
5.3.1
All NAVAREA, Sub-Area and coastal warnings shall be broadcast only in English
in the International NAVTEX and SafetyNET services.
5.3.2
In addition to the required broadcasts in English, NAVAREA, Sub-Area and
coastal warnings may be broadcast in a national language using national NAVTEX
and SafetyNET services and/or other means.
5.3.3
Local warnings may be issued in the national language and/or in English.
5.4.1
When there are no navigational warnings to be disseminated at a scheduled
broadcast time, a brief message shall be transmitted to identify the broadcast
and advise the mariner that there is no navigational warning message traffic on
hand.
6. COORDINATOR
RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1 NAVAREA coordinator
resources
6.1.1 The NAVAREA coordinator must have:
.1 the expertise
and information sources of a well-established national hydrographic service;
.2 effective
communications, e.g., telephone, e-mail, facsimile, internet, telex, etc., with
Sub-Area and National coordinators in the NAVAREA, with other NAVAREA
coordinators, and with other data providers; and
.3 access to
broadcast systems for transmission to the navigable waters of the NAVAREA. As a
minimum, this shall include those described in paragraph 3.1.1. Reception
should normally be possible at least 700 nautical miles beyond the limit of the
NAVAREA (24 hours' sailing by a fast ship).
6.2 NAVAREA coordinator
responsibilities