The
existing text of the Annex 1, Annex 2 and Appendix to this resolution was
revised by resolution MSC.469(101)
Resolution A.706(17)
WORLD-WIDE NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICE
as amended by
MSC/Circ.685
MSC/Circ.750
MSC/Circ.957
see also A.958(23)
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,
BEARING
IN MIND the decisions of the XIth International Hydrographic Conference,
NOTING
that the world-wide navigational warning service, adopted by resolution
A.419(XI), has successfully been in existence since 1979,
NOTING
FURTHER the provisions made for the promulgation of maritime safety information
by the 1988 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea, 1974, concerning radio-communications for the global maritime distress
and safety system,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendations made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
fifty-ninth session,
1.
ADOPTS the IMO/IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service - Guidance Document,
as set out in annex 1 to the present resolution;
2.
RECOMMENDS Governments to implement the world-wide navigational warning
service;
3.
AUTHORIZES the Maritime Safety Committee to amend the world-wide navigational
warning service, as may be necessary, in accordance with the procedure set out
in annex 2 to the present resolution;
4.
REVOKES resolution A.419(XI).
ANNEX
1.
IMO/IHO
World-Wide Navigational Warning Service Guidance Document
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 co-ordinated, 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 Co-ordinated 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 co-ordinated service which now
has all of its 16 NAVAREA in operation. This revised edition contains changes
necessitated by 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.
Future
amendments to the guidance document will be considered formally and approved by
IHO normally through the use of circular letters and by IMO through its
Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with the procedures set out in Annex 2
to this document. Proposed amendments will normally be evaluated by the IHO
Commission on Promulgation of Radio Navigational Warnings, which includes as an
ex-officio member a representative of the IMO Secretariat, prior to any
extensive IHO or IMO consideration.
World-Wide
Navigational Warning Service
(WWNWS)
This
document provides specific guidance for the promulgation of internationally
co-ordinated NAVAREA and coastal warnings via NAVTEX and international
SafetyNET services. It includes the situation where international SafetyNET is
used in lieu of NAVTEX as the primary means of transmitting coastal warnings.
Its guidance does not apply to purely national warning services which
supplement those internationally co-ordinated services.
2.1
For the purposes of this service, the following definitions apply:
2.1.1
Navigational warning: A broadcast message containing urgent information
relevant to safe navigation. Types of information suitable for transmission as
navigational warnings are described in 4.2.1.3.
2.1.2 Maritime
safety information (MSI): Navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological
forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages.
2.1.3 NAVAREA: A
geographical sea area, as shown in the appendix, established for the purpose of
co-ordinating the transmission of radio navigational warnings. Where
appropriate, the term NAVAREA followed by an identifying roman numeral may be
used as a short title. The delimitation of such areas is not related to and
shall not prejudice the delimitation of any boundaries between States.
2.1.4 Sub-area:
A subdivision of a NAVAREA in which a number of countries have established a
co-ordinated system for the promulgation of coastal warnings. The delimitation
of such areas is not related to and shall not prejudice the delimitation of any
boundaries between States.
2.1.5 Region:
The part of a NAVAREA or sub-area established for the purpose of co-ordinating
the transmission of coastal warnings by NAVTEX or international SafetyNET
broadcast.
2.1.6 NAVAREA
Co-ordinator: The authority charged with co-ordinating, collating and issuing
long range navigational warnings and NAVAREA warnings bulletins to cover the
whole of the NAVAREA.
2.1.7 Sub-area
Co-ordinator: The authority charged with the co-ordination of navigational
warnings information within a designated sub-area.
2.1.8 National
Co-ordinator: The national authority charged with collating and issuing coastal
warnings in a region.
2.1.9 NAVAREA
warning: A navigational warning issued by the NAVAREA Co-ordinator for the
NAVAREA.
2.1.10 NAVAREA
warnings bulletin: A list of serial numbers of those NAVAREA warnings in force
issued and broadcast by the NAVAREA Co-ordinator during at least the previous
six weeks.
2.1.11 Coastal
warning: A navigational warning promulgated by a national Co-ordinator to cover
a region. (Coastal warnings may also be broadcast by means other than those of
the WWNWS as a national option.)
2.1.12 Local
warning: A navigational warning which covers inshore waters, often within the
limits of jurisdiction of a harbour or port authority.
3.1.1
The radio systems to be used internationally for the promulgation of maritime
safety information are laid down in the International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended. These include:
.1 NAVTEX:
Single frequency time-shared broadcast system with automated reception and
message rejection/selection facilities. Use of NAVTEX is regulated by the IMO
NAVTEX Manual (IMO publication no. 951); and
.2 international
(enhanced group call) SafetyNET service: Dedicated satellite broadcast system
with automated reception and message rejection/selection facilities. Use of
this service is regulated by the International SafetyNET Manual (IMO
publication no. 908).
3.2.1
Automated systems (SafetyNET/NAVTEX)
3.2.1.1
Navigational warnings should be transmitted 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
SafetyNET, within 30 min of receipt of original information; and
.2 for NAVTEX,
at the next scheduled broadcast, unless circumstances indicate the use of
procedures for VITAL or IMPORTANT warnings.
3.2.1.2
Navigational warnings should be repeated in scheduled broadcasts in accordance
with the guidelines promulgated in the following documents, as appropriate:
.1 International
SafetyNET Manual (IMO publication no. 908); and
.2 NAVTEX Manual
(IMO publication no. IMO-951E).
3.2.1.3
At least two daily transmission times are necessary to provide adequate
promulgation of NAVAREA warnings. When NAVAREAs may extend across more than six
time zones, more than two broadcasts should be especially considered to ensure
that warnings can be received.
3.2.2.1
NAVAREA Co-ordinators should ensure that the times of HF broadcasting do not
coincide with those in adjacent NAVAREAs. Times of scheduled broadcasts under
the international SafetyNET service should be co-ordinated through the
International SafetyNET Co-ordinating Panel.
3.2.2.2
Changes to broadcast schedules should be implemented only after the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been given at least three
months' notice by the appropriate national authority, unless urgent operational
considerations dictate more immediate action.
3.2.2.3
IMO and IHO should be informed of intended changes at the same time as they are
communicated to ITU.
3.2.2.4
Arrangements should be made for informing mariners in good time of all changes.
4.1.1
There are three types of navigational warnings: NAVAREA warnings, coastal
warnings and local warnings. The WWNWS guidance and co-ordination are involved
with only two of them: NAVAREA warnings and coastal warnings; of the latter,
only with those coastal warnings which are broadcast under the internationally
co-ordinated services using NAVTEX, or in lieu of NAVTEX, international
SafetyNET service, as their primary means of transmission.
4.1.2
Navigational warnings should normally refer only to the area concerned.
4.1.3
Navigational warnings should be broadcast for as long as the information is
valid or until it is made available by other means.
4.1.4
Navigational warnings should remain in force until cancelled by the originating
Co-ordinator.
4.1.5
The duration of a navigational warning should be given in the text, if known.
4.2 The three types of navigational warnings are:
4.2.1.1
Generally speaking, NAVAREA warnings are concerned with the information
detailed below which ocean-going mariners require for their safe navigation.
This includes, in particular, failures of important aids to navigation, as well
as information which may require changes to planned navigational routes.
4.2.1.2
Warnings for coastal areas may be provided by NAVTEX or the international
SafetyNET service, when implemented in lieu of NAVTEX. From the date a NAVTEX
receiver is mandatory on all ships sailing in areas of NAVTEX service (1 August
1993), it is intended that such information not be rebroadcast as a NAVAREA warning
unless it is deemed of such significance that the mariner should be aware of it
before entering the area of NAVTEX coverage. The national Co-ordinator will
evaluate the significance of the information for consideration as a NAVAREA
warning while the NAVAREA Co-ordinator will make the final determination (see
6.6.7 and 6.2.3 respectively).
4.2.1.3
The following subject areas are considered suitable for transmission as NAVAREA
warnings. This list is not exhaustive and should be regarded only as a guideline.
Furthermore, it presupposes that sufficiently precise information about the
item has not previously been disseminated in a notice to mariners:
.1 casualties to
lights, fog signals and buoys 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
mines;
.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
establishment of offshore structures in or near shipping lanes;
.11 significant
malfunctioning of radionavigation services and shore-based maritime safety
information radio or satellite services;
.12 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, 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. The warning should remain in force until the event is
completed;* and
.13 acts of
piracy and armed robbery against ships.
_____________
* The Maritime Safety
Committee is authorized to review the provisions of this paragraph and, if
appropriate, to provide for exemptions from this requirement, under special
circumstances.
4.2.1.4
NAVAREA warnings bulletins should be transmitted not less than once per week at
a regularly scheduled time.
4.2.1.5
Arrangements should be made for the text of NAVAREA warnings in force to be
available at port offices and, where appropriate, for their eventual inclusion
in a generally available printed form.
4.2.2.1
Coastal warnings promulgate information which is necessary for safe navigation
within a given region. Coastal warnings should normally provide sufficient
information for safe navigation to seaward of the fairway buoy or pilot station
and should not be restricted to main shipping lanes. Where the region is served
by NAVTEX, it should provide navigational warnings for the entire IMO approved
service area of the NAVTEX transmitter. Where the region 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 transmission.
4.2.2.2
Coastal warnings should include, at a minimum, the types of information
required for NAVAREA warnings in 4.2.1.3.
4.2.3.1
Local warnings supplement coastal warnings by giving detailed information
within inshore waters including the limits of a harbour or port authority on
aspects which the ocean-going ship normally does not require.
5.1.1
Navigational warnings in each series should be consecutively numbered
throughout the calendar year, commencing with 0001 at 0000 UTC on 01 January.
5.1.2
Navigational warnings should, as a general rule, be transmitted in reverse
numerical order on scheduled broadcasts.
5.1.3
At the beginning of every navigational warning scheduled broadcast for which
there are no warnings to be disseminated, a brief message should be transmitted
to identify the broadcast and advise the mariner that there is no navigational
warning message traffic on hand.
5.2.1
The guidelines for the handling of navigational warnings are promulgated, as
appropriate, in the following documents:
.1 International
SafetyNET Manual (IMO publication no. 908); and
.2 NAVTEX Manual
(IMO publication no. IMO-951E).
5.3.1
All NAVAREA and coastal warnings must be transmitted in English in the
internationally co-ordinated services.
5.3.2
In addition, NAVAREA warnings may be broadcast in one or more of the official
languages of the United Nations.
5.3.3
Coastal warnings may also be broadcast in the national language, and local
warnings may be issued only in the national language as a national service.
6.
CO-ORDINATOR RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1 NAVAREA Co-ordinator resources
6.1.1
The NAVAREA Co-ordinator must have:
.1 the expertise
and information sources of a well established national hydrographic service;
.2 effective
communication links, e.g. telex, facsimile, e-mail, etc., with sub-area and
national Co-ordinators in the NAVAREA and with other NAVAREA Co-ordinators; and
.3 access to
effective facilities for transmission to the entire NAVAREA. Reception normally
should be possible 700 miles beyond the limit of the NAVAREA (24 hours' sailing
by a fast ship).
6.2 NAVAREA Co-ordinator responsibilities
6.2.1
The NAVAREA Co-ordinator must:
.1 endeavour to
be informed of all events that could significantly affect the safety of
navigation within the NAVAREA;
.2 immediately
upon receipt, assess all information in the light of expert knowledge for
relevance to navigation in the NAVAREA;
.3 select
information for broadcast in accordance with the guidance given in 4.2.1 above;
.4 draft NAVAREA
warning messages in accordance with the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime
Safety Information (MSI) for standardization of texts and message drafting;
.5 direct and
control the broadcast of NAVAREA warning messages, making full and efficient
use of national broadcast facilities in keeping with the provisions of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended;
.6 pass NAVAREA
warnings which warrant further promulgation in adjacent areas directly to the
appropriate NAVAREA Co-ordinators, using the quickest possible means;
.7 ensure that
written copies of NAVAREA warnings likely to remain in force for more than six
weeks are made available to those NAVAREA Co-ordinators or national authorities
requesting them. Immediate transmission by telex, facsimile, or by high-speed
communications is recommended in the absence of an alternative appropriate
delivery arrangement, subject to agreement between the Co-ordinators concerned;
.8 as soon as
possible after the receipt of information concerning scheduled underwater
operations as described in 4.2.1.3.9, or other scheduled operations such as in
4.2.1.3.3 and 4.2.1.3.10, pass such information to those national Co-ordinators
in its own NAVAREA and other NAVAREA Co-ordinators who maintain a notices to
mariners service covering the affected area and who have requested such
information;
.9 transmit
periodical NAVAREA warnings bulletins;
.10 promulgate
the cancellation of NAVAREA warnings which contain information which is no
longer valid;
.11 arrange for
the text of NAVAREA warnings in force to be available at port offices and,
where appropriate, for their eventual inclusion in a generally available
printed form;