RESOLUTION MSC.469(101)
(adopted on 14 June 2019)
AMENDMENTS TO WORLD-WIDE NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICE (RESOLUTION
A.706(17), AS AMENDED)
THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO that, by resolution A.706(17), the Assembly adopted the IMO/IHO World-Wide
Navigational Warning Service Guidance Document,
RECALLING FURTHER that the Committee, at its eighty-fifth and
ninety-second sessions, approved MSC.1/Circ.1288 and MSC.1/Circ.1288/Rev.1,
respectively, on Amendments to resolution A.706(17) World-Wide
Navigational Warning Service,
NOTING that the Assembly, at its seventeenth session, recommended
that Member States implement the world-wide navigational warning service and
authorized the Committee to amend the world-wide navigational warning service,
as might be necessary,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on
Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue, at its sixth session,
1 ADOPTS the Revised
IMO/IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service Guidance Document, set
out in the annex to the present resolution, which revises in its entirety the
existing text of annex 1, annex 2 and the appendix to resolution A.706(17), as
amended by MSC.1/Circ.1288 and MSC.1/Circ.1288/Rev.1;
2 RECOMMENDS that
Member States continue implementing the World-Wide Navigational Warning
Service, taking into account the Revised Guidance Document set out in the annex
to the present resolution;
3 DETERMINES that
the Revised IMO/IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service Guidance
Document should become effective on 1 January 2020.
ANNEX
REVISED
IMO/IHO WORLD-WIDE NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICE GUIDANCE
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The World-Wide
Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) is the internationally and nationally
coordinated service for the promulgation of navigational warnings.
1.2 The purpose
of this Guidance 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.
1.3 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 in
January 2009 became the IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service
Sub-Committee (WWNWS-SC) but nevertheless consults continuously with IMO. In
its report to the eleventh International Hydrographic Conference in 1977, the
Commission submitted the 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.
1.4 Future amendments
to this Guidance will be considered formally and approved by both IHO and IMO
in accordance with the procedures set out in section 7. Proposed amendments
should be evaluated by the IHO WWNWS-SC, which includes an ex-officio
representative of the IMO Secretariat, prior to any extensive IHO or IMO
consideration.
2 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of the WWNWS, the following definitions apply:
.1 Coastal warning means a
navigational warning or in-force bulletin promulgated as part of a numbered
series by a National Coordinator. Broadcast should be made by the International
NAVTEX service to defined NAVTEX service areas and/or by an International
Enhanced Group Call service to the coastal warning area (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/METAREA or Sub-area established
by a coastal State for the purpose of coordinating the broadcast of coastal
Maritime Safety Information through the Enhanced Group Call service.
.3 Enhanced Group Call (EGC) means
the broadcast of coordinated Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue
related information, to a defined geographical area using a recognized mobile
satellite service.
.4 Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS) means a system that performs the functions set out in SOLAS
regulation IV/4, as amended.
.5 HF NBDP means High Frequency
narrow-band direct-printing, using radio telegraphy as defined in
Recommendation ITU-R M.688.
.6 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.
.7 International Iridium service
means the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception of Maritime Safety
Information and Search and Rescue related information via Enhanced Group Call,
using the English language.
.8 International Enhanced Group Call
service means the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception of Maritime
Safety Information and Search and Rescue related information via Enhanced Group
Call, using the English language.
.9 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 language.1
____________________
1 As set out in the IMO
NAVTEX Manual.
.10 International SafetyNET service
means the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception of Maritime Safety
Information and Search and Rescue related information via Enhanced Group Call,
using the English language.
.11 Local warning means a navigational
warning which covers inshore waters, often within the limits of jurisdiction of
a harbour or port authority.
.12 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
SOLAS regulation IV/2.
.13 Maritime Safety Information service
means the internationally and nationally coordinated network of broadcasts
containing information, which is necessary for safe navigation.
.14 METAREA means a geographical sea area
3 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.
3 Which may include inland
seas, lakes and waterways navigable by seagoing ships.
.15 National Coordinator means the
national authority charged with collating and issuing coastal warnings within a
national area of responsibility.
.16 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.
.17 National Enhanced Group Call service
means the broadcast and automatic reception of Maritime Safety Information via
the EGC system, using languages as decided by the Administration concerned.
.18 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.
.19 NAVAREA Coordinator means the
authority charged with coordinating, collating and issuing NAVAREA warnings for
a designated NAVAREA.
.20 NAVAREA warning means a navigational
warning or in-force bulletin promulgated as part of a numbered series by a
NAVAREA Coordinator.
.21 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.
.22 NAVTEX means the system for the
broadcast and automatic reception of Maritime Safety Information by means of
narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy.
.23 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.
.24 NAVTEX coverage area means an area
defined by an arc of a circle having a radius from the transmitter calculated
according to the method and criteria given in resolution A.801(19), as amended.
.25 NAVTEX service area means a unique
and precisely defined sea area, wholly contained within the NAVTEX coverage
area, for which Maritime Safety Information is provided from a particular
NAVTEX transmitter. It is normally defined by a line that takes full account of
local propagation conditions and the character and volume of information and
maritime traffic patterns in the region, as given in resolution A.801(19), as
amended.
.26 Other urgent safety-related information
means Maritime Safety Information broadcast to ships that is not defined as a
navigational warning or meteorological information. This may include, but is
not limited to, significant malfunctions or changes to maritime communications
systems, and new or amended mandatory ship reporting systems or maritime
regulations affecting ships at sea.
.27 Recognized mobile satellite service
means any service which operates through a satellite system and is recognized
by IMO, for use in the GMDSS.
.28 Sub-area means a subdivision of a
NAVAREA/METAREA 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 should not prejudice the delimitation of any
boundaries between States.
.29 Sub-area Coordinator means the
authority charged with coordinating, collating and issuing Sub-area warnings
for a designated Sub-area.
.30 Sub-area warning means a
navigational warning or in-force bulletin promulgated as part of a numbered
series by a Sub-area Coordinator. Broadcast should be made by the International
NAVTEX service to defined NAVTEX service areas or by the International Enhanced
Group Call service (through the appropriate NAVAREA Coordinator).
.31 User defined area means a temporary
geographic area, either circular or rectangular, to which Maritime Safety
Information or Search and Rescue related information is addressed.
.32 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, A.706(17),
as amended, and A.1051(27),
as amended.
3 NAVIGATIONAL
WARNING BROADCASTS
3.1 Methods
3.1.1 The two principal
methods 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 (1974 SOLAS Convention), in the areas covered
by these methods, are as follows:
.1 NAVTEX: broadcasts
to coastal waters; and
.2 Enhanced Group Call:
broadcasts to the geographical sea areas covered by a recognized mobile
satellite service.
3.1.2 Information should
be provided for unique and precisely defined sea areas, each being served only
by the most appropriate of the above methods. Although there will be some
duplication to allow a ship to change from one method to another, the majority
of warnings will be broadcast either on NAVTEX or by EGC.
3.1.3 NAVTEX broadcasts
should be made in accordance with the standards and procedures set out in the
NAVTEX Manual.
3.1.4 EGC broadcasts
should be made in accordance with the standards and procedures set out in the
IMO manuals of the recognized mobile satellite service providers.
3.1.5 HF NBDP may be used
to promulgate MSI in areas outside EGC and NAVTEX coverage (SOLAS regulation
IV/7.1.5).
3.1.6
In addition, Administrations may also
provide navigational warnings by other means.
3.1.7 In the event of
failure of normal transmission facilities, an alternative means of transmission
should be utilized. A NAVAREA/METAREA warning and a coastal warning, if
possible, should be issued detailing the failure, its duration and, if known,
the alternative route for the dissemination of MSI.
3.2 Scheduling
3.2.1 Automated methods
(NAVTEX/Enhanced Group Call)
3.2.1.1 Navigational
warnings should 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 EGC, within 30
minutes of receipt of original information, or at the next scheduled broadcast.
3.2.1.2 Navigational
warnings should be repeated in scheduled broadcasts in accordance with
the guidelines promulgated in the NAVTEX Manual and in the IMO manuals of the
recognized mobile satellite service providers, 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 EGC 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 transmitter identification character of the
station, allocated by the IMO NAVTEX Coordinating Panel.
3.2.2.2 Times of
scheduled broadcasts under the International EGC service are coordinated
through the IMO Enhanced Group Call Coordinating Panel.
4 NAVIGATIONAL
WARNINGS
4.1 General
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 should 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 their
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 and
tsunami warnings) may also be suitable for inclusion as METAREA warnings or
forecasts. In this event, appropriate coordination between the relevant NAVAREA
and METAREA Coordinator should occur.
4.2 The four types of
navigational warnings
4.2.1 NAVAREA warnings
4.2.1.1 NAVAREA
warnings are concerned with the information detailed below which oceangoing
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 International EGC
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 presupposes 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 over 6 metres in length,
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
radionavigation services and shore-based Maritime Safety Information radio or
satellite services;
.13 information concerning events which might
affect the safety of shipping, sometimes over wide areas, e.g. naval exercises,
missile firings, space missions, nuclear tests and ordnance dumping zones. 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 operating anomalies identified within
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) including Electronic
Navigational Chart (ENC) issues;
.15 acts of piracy and armed robbery against
ships;
.16 tsunamis and other natural phenomena, such
as abnormal changes to sea level;
.17 World Health Organization (WHO) health
advisory information; and
.18 security-related
requirements.4
____________________
4 In accordance with the
requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
4.2.2 Sub-area warnings
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 paragraph 4.2.1.3 above, but will usually affect only the Sub-area.
4.2.3 Coastal warnings
4.2.3.1 Coastal warnings
broadcast information which is necessary for safe navigation within areas
seaward of the fairway buoy or pilot station, should not be restricted to main
shipping lanes. Where the area is served by International NAVTEX, it should
provide navigational warnings for the entire NAVTEX service area. Where the
area is not served by International NAVTEX, it is necessary to include all
warnings relevant to the coastal waters up to 250 miles from the coast in the
International EGC service broadcast.
4.2.3.2 Coastal warnings
should include at least the subjects listed in paragraph 4.2.1.3.
4.2.4 Local warnings
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 EGC, and supplement coastal
warnings by giving detailed information within inshore waters.
5 NAVIGATIONAL
WARNING REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Guidance
Operational guidance for handling and formatting navigational
warnings is given in the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety
Information, the IMO NAVTEX Manual and the IMO manuals of the recognized mobile
satellite service providers.
5.2 Numbering
5.2.1 Navigational warnings
in each series should be consecutively numbered throughout the calendar year,
commencing with 1/YY at 0000 UTC on 1 January.
5.2.2 Navigational
warnings should be transmitted in reverse numerical order on scheduled
broadcasts.
5.3 Language
5.3.1 All NAVAREA,
Sub-area and coastal warnings should be broadcast only in English in the
International NAVTEX and International EGC 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 National EGC
services and/or other means.
5.3.3
Local warnings may be issued in the
national language and/or in English.
5.4 "No
warnings" message
When there are no navigational warnings to be disseminated at a
scheduled broadcast time, a brief unnumbered message should 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
The NAVAREA Coordinator should have:
.1 the expertise and
information sources of a well-established national hydrographic service;
.2 effective
communications, e.g. telephone, email, facsimile and internet, 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 should include those described in paragraph 3.1.1. Reception should
normally be possible at least 300 nautical miles beyond the limit of the
NAVAREA.
6.2 NAVAREA Coordinator
responsibilities
The NAVAREA Coordinator should:
.1 endeavour to be informed of all events
that could significantly affect the safety of navigation within the NAVAREA;
.2 assess all information immediately upon
receipt for relevance to navigation in the NAVAREA;
.3 select information for broadcast in
accordance with the guidance given in section 4.2.1 above;
.4 draft NAVAREA warnings in accordance with
the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information;
.5 direct and control the broadcast of
NAVAREA warnings, in accordance with the provisions of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention;
.6 forward NAVAREA warnings and relevant
associated information which may require wider promulgation directly to
adjacent NAVAREA Coordinators and/or others as appropriate, using the quickest
possible means;
.7 ensure that NAVAREA warnings which remain
in force for more than six weeks are made available immediately to NAVAREA
Coordinators, other authorities and mariners in general, as appropriate;
.8 ensure that information concerning all
navigational warning subject areas listed in paragraph 4.2.1.3 that may not
require a NAVAREA warning within their own NAVAREA is forwarded immediately to
the appropriate National and NAVAREA Coordinators affected by the event;
.9 broadcast in-force bulletins not less than
once per week at a regular scheduled time;
.10 promulgate the cancellation of NAVAREA
warnings which are no longer valid;
.11 act as the central point of contact on
matters relating to navigational warnings within the NAVAREA;
.12 promote and oversee the use of established
international standards and practices in the promulgation of navigational
warnings throughout the NAVAREA;
.13 when notified by the authority designated
to act on reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships, arrange for the
broadcast of a suitable NAVAREA warning. Additionally, keep the national or
regional piracy control centre informed of long-term broadcast action(s);
.14 when notified by the appropriate
authorities, arrange for the broadcast of suitable NAVAREA warnings to
promulgate World Health Organization (WHO) health advisories, tsunami-related
warnings and other information which is necessary for safe navigation;
.15 monitor the broadcasts which they originate
to ensure that the warnings have been correctly broadcast;
.16 maintain records of source data relating to
NAVAREA warnings in accordance with the requirement of the national
Administration of the NAVAREA Coordinator;
.17 coordinate preliminary discussions between
neighbouring Member States, seeking to establish or amend NAVTEX services, and
with other adjacent Administrations, prior to formal application;
.18 contribute to the development of
international standards and practices through attendance and participation in
the IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service Sub-Committee meetings, and
also participate in relevant IMO, IHO and WMO fora as