Resolution A.953(23)
WORLD-WIDE RADIONAVIGATION SYSTEM
(adopted
on 5 December 2003)
THE
ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING
Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and
guidelines concerning maritime safety,
RECALLING
ALSO resolution A.815(19), by which it adopted as the IMO policy for the
recognition and acceptance of suitable radionavigation system intended for
international use, the Report on the Study of a World-Wide Radionavigation
System annexed to that resolution,
RECOGNIZING
the need for a worldwide radionavigation system to provide ships with
navigational position-fixing throughout the world,
RECOGNIZING
ALSO the need to amend the aforementioned Report on the Study of a World-Wide
Radionavigation System,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
seventy-fifth session,
1.
ADOPTS, as the IMO policy for the recognition and acceptance of suitable
radionavigation systems intended for international use, the revised Report on
the Study of a Worldwide Radionavigation System set out in the Annex to the
present resolution;
2.
INVITES Governments to keep the Organization informed of the operational
development of any suitable radionavigation systems conforming to this policy
referred to above, which might be considered by the Organization for use by
ships worldwide;
3.
INVITES ALSO Governments and organizations providing radionavigation systems to
consent to recognition of these systems by IMO;
4.
REQUESTS the Maritime Safety Committee to recognize systems conforming to the
requirements of the Annex to this resolution, and to publish information on
such systems;
5.
REQUESTS ALSO the Maritime Safety Committee to keep the aforesaid Report under
review for adjustment as necessary;
6.
REVOKES resolutions A.529(13) and A.815(19).
Annex.
WORLDWIDE RADIONAVIGATION SYSTEM
REVISED REPORT ON THE STUDY OF A WORLD-WIDE
RADIONAVIGATION SYSTEM
1.1
Studies on a world-wide radionavigation system have been taking place since
1983. These studies have provided a basis on which Chapter V of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention has been amended to include a requirement for ships to carry means
of receiving transmissions from suitable radionavigation systems throughout
their intended voyage.
1.2
The operational requirements for world-wide radionavigation systems are given
in the appendix.
1.3
It is not considered feasible for IMO to fund a world-wide radionavigation
system. Existing and planned systems which are being provided and operated by
Governments or organizations have therefore been studied, in order to ascertain
the conditions under which such systems might be recognized or accepted by IMO.
2. PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CONCERNING
THE RECOGNITION OF SYSTEMS
2.1
Procedures and functions of IMO
2.1.1
The recognition by IMO of a radionavigation system would mean that the
Organization recognizes that the system is capable of providing adequate
position information within its coverage area and that the carriage of
receiving equipment for use with the system satisfies the relevant requirements
of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended.
2.1.2
IMO should not recognize a radionavigation system without the consent of the
Government or organization which has provided and is operating the system.
2.1.3
In deciding whether or not to recognize a radionavigation system, IMO should
consider whether:
- the Government or
organization providing and operating the system has stated formally that the
system is operational and available for use by merchant shipping;
- its continued provision is
assured;
- it is capable of providing
position information within the coverage area declared by the Government or
organization operating and providing the system with a performance not less
than that given in the appendix;
- adequate arrangements have
been made for publication of the characteristics and parameters of the system
and of its status, including amendments, as necessary; and
- adequate arrangements have
been made to protect the safety of navigation should it be necessary to
introduce changes in the characteristics or parameters of the system that could
adversely affect the performance of shipborne receiving equipment.
2.1.4
In deciding, in the light of any changes to a recognized system, whether the
system should continue to be recognized, the criteria listed in paragraph 2.1.3
should be applied.
2.2
Responsibilities of Governments or organizations
2.2.1
The provision and operation of a radionavigation system is the responsibility
of the Governments or organizations concerned.
2.2.2
Governments or organizations willing to have a radio-navigation system
recognized by IMO should formally notify IMO that the system is operational and
available for use by merchant shipping. The Government or organization should
also declare the coverage area of the system and provide as much other
information as practicable to assist IMO in its considerations of the factors
identified in paragraph 2.1.3.
2.2.3
Governments or organizations that have a system recognized by IMO should
not allow changes to the operational characteristics of the system under which
the system was recognised without notifying IMO (see resolution A.577(14)).
3. SHIPBORNE RECEIVING EQUIPMENT
3.1
To avoid the necessity of carrying more than one set of receiving equipment on
a ship, the shipborne receiving equipment should be suitable for operating
either with a world-wide radio-navigation system, or with radionavigation
systems which cover the area in which the ship trades.
3.2
Shipborne receiving equipment should conform to the relevant performance
standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organisation.
3.3
Radionavigation systems should make it possible for shipborne receiving equipment
automatically to select the appropriate stations for determining the ship's
position with the required performance.
3.4
Shipborne receiving equipment should be provided with at least one output* from
which position information can be supplied in a standard form to other
equipment.
____________
IEC Publication 61162.
Appendix.
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1.1
The operational requirements for a world-wide radionavigation system should be
general in nature and capable of being met by a number of systems. All systems
should be capable of being used by an unlimited number of ships.
1.2
The requirements may be met by individual radionavigation systems or by a
combination of such systems.
1.3
For ships with operating speeds above 30 knots more stringent requirements may
be necessary.
2.
NAVIGATION IN THOSE HARBOUR ENTRANCES, HARBOUR APPROACHES AND COASTAL WATERS
WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC AND/OR SIGNIFICANT DEGREE OF RISK*
2.1
Where a radionavigation system is used to assist in the navigation of ships in
all such waters, the system, including any augmentation, should provide
positional information with an error not greater than 10 m with a probability
of 95%.