The 4th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 4) is held on 6-10 Mar 2017. The following items and the progress made at NCSR 4 would be useful for your team covering onboard navigation and communication to refer to.
1. Navigation issues
1.1 Amendments to the existing Long Sand Head two-way route and SUNK Inner precautionary area in the traffic separation scheme “In the SUNK area and in the Northern approaches to the Thames Estuary”, were approved and is expected to be adopted by MSC 98 in Jun 2017, as follows:
(COLREG.2/Circ.58, paragraph 1.2 and annex 2)
(Reference chart: British Admiralty No 2692, 10th edition, June 2016. Note: These charts are based on World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS 84).)
Description of the amendments to Long Sand Head two-way route and SUNK Inner precautionary area
Following coordinates of two-way route and SUNK Inner precautionary area (COLREG.2/Circ.58, paragraph 1.2 and annex 2) have been amended:
(02) 51° 48′.12 N; 001° 39′.39 E
(03) 51° 48′.22 N; 001° 38′.16 E
(52) 51° 48′.32 N; 001° 36′.96 E
1.2 Establishment of a new recommended route “Off the western coast of Izu O Shima Island” was approved and is expected to be adopted by MSC 98 in Jun 2017, as follows:
(Reference charts: Electronic Navigation Charts, Japanese charts Nos. JP44NVQC, Edition No.3/2014; JP34NC9C, Edition No.6/2014; and JP24NC90, Edition No.6/2016; Paper charts, Japanese charts Nos. W1066, 2014; W1078, 2005; W51, 2005; JP80/W80, 2007; W61B, 2000; and W81, 2002. Note: These charts are issued by the Japanese Coast Guard and based on World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS 84).
Description of the recommended route
This route is recommended for use by all ships transiting the area.
A recommended route is established with a central line between the following geographical positions:
(1) 34° 48′.00 N 139° 17′.00 E
(2) 34° 42′.20 N 139° 10′.00 E
1.3 Establishment of a new area to be avoided “Off Peninsula de Osa in the Pacific coast off Costa Rica” was approved and is expected to be adopted by MSC 98 in Jun 2017, as follows:
(Reference paper charts: British Admiralty N°.1020, 27th edition, October 2014; and British Admiralty N° 1021, 27th edition, December 2007. Note: These charts are based on World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS 84)).
Description the area to be avoided
All ships 900 gross tonnage and above should avoid the area to be avoided bounded by lines connecting the following geographical positions:
(1) 08°32′.50 N, 083°17′.10 W
(2) 08°32′.48 N, 083°14′.10 W
(3) 08°20′.00 N, 083°14′.10 W
(4) 08°24′.50 N, 083°40′.00 W
(5) 08°43′.60 N, 084°00′.00 W
(6) 08°47′.36 N, 083°38′.00 W
1.4 Establishment of a new area to be avoided as an associated protective measure for the “Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) in the Sulu Sea”, was approved and is expected to be adopted by MSC 98 in Jun 2017, as follows:
(Reference charts: Philippine charts No. 4707 (INT 5052), 2nd edition, November 2010; No. 4357, 1st edition, May 2009. Note: These charts are issued by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippines and based on World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS 84).)
Description the area to be avoided
An area to be avoided by all types of ships of 150 gross tonnage and above is established in the area [to be] designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, and bounded by a line connecting the following geographical coordinates:
(1) 09º 17′.75 N, 119º 47′.79 E
(2) 09º 04′.73 N, 120º 12′.76 E
(3) 08º 49′.63 N, 120º 13′.99 E
(4) 08º 29′.63 N, 119º 53′.16 E
(5) 08º 36′.15 N, 119º 35′.46 E
(6) 09º 11′.06 N, 119º 36′.67 E
thence back to point (1).
1.5 The draft MSC circular on Guidelines for shipborne Position, Navigation and Timing data processing was endorsed and is expected to be approved by MSC 98 in Jun 2017.
• The purpose of these Guidelines is to enhance the safety and efficiency of navigation by improved provision of position, navigation and timing (PNT) data to bridge teams (including pilots) and shipboard applications (e.g. AIS, ECDIS, etc.).
• The shipborne provision of resilient PNT data and associated integrity (I) and status data (S) is realized through the combined use of onboard hardware (HW) and software (SW) components. The shipborne PNT Data Processing (PNT-DP) is the core repository for principles and functions used for the provision of reliable and resilient PNT data.
• These Guidelines provide recommendations on how to handle differences regarding installed equipment, current system in use, feasibility of tasks and related functions, performance of data sources as well as usability in specific regions and situations.
• These Guidelines aim to achieve standardized and integrity tested PNT output data to enhance user awareness regarding achieved performance level.
• These Guidelines are recommended for equipment manufacturers, shipyards, ship owners and managers responsible for onboard equipment and systems used for PNT data provision.
2. Communication issues
2.1 A draft MSC resolution on Performance standards for a ship earth station for use in the GMDSS was agreed and is expected to be adopted by MSC 98 as recommendation.
• The draft MSC resolution has minimum requirements for the ship earth station installation capable of two-way radiocommunications, which should comply with the general requirements set out in resolutions A.694(17), A.813(19), MSC.191(79).
2.2 The draft Modernization Plan of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), a 45-page document, was endorsed and is expected to be approved by MSC 98.
2.3 It was approved by NCSR 4 to establish a correspondence group on the modernization of the GMDSS to:
• develop a draft revision of SOLAS Chapters III and IV and a draft work plan for the related and consequential amendments to other existing instruments;
• submit an interim report, containing the preliminary draft revision of SOLAS Chapters III and IV and the preliminary draft work plan for the related and consequential amendments to other existing instruments, to the Joint IMO/ITU Experts Group (10 to 14 July 2017) for its consideration;
• taking into account the outcome of discussions at the meeting of the Joint IMO/ITU Experts Group, submit a report, including the draft revision of SOLAS Chapters III and IV and the draft work plan for the related and consequential amendments to other existing instruments, for consideration at NCSR 5 in 2018.
3. Search and rescue (SAR) issues (related to shore side Rescue Centre and SAR mission officials)
3.1 The revised SAR.7 circular on the list of documents and publications was approve, which should be held by a Maritime or Joint Rescue Coordination Centre;
3.2 The proposed Terms of Reference for the revision of Model Course 3.14 on SAR Mission Coordinator was approved.
• The Model Course 3.14 Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator in 1988 with a view to assisting States in their efforts to provide appropriate training to their officials undertaking the functions and responsibilities of a SAR mission coordinator, the official temporarily assigned to coordinate response to an actual or apparent distress situation.
• Further development of the Model Course will be made according to the Terms of Reference.
