​​Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue (NCSR), 3rd session, 29 February-4 March

Galileo recommended as component of Word Wide Radionavigation System

The Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) could be accepted as a future component of the Word Wide Radionavigation System (WWRNS), the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue (NCSR) has agreed, since the proponents had provided the necessary information. 

The recommendation will be forwarded to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its ninety-sixth session, to recognize Galileo as a future component of the WWRNS, subject to formal promulgation, i.e. when the proponents have stated formally that the system is operational and available for use by merchant shipping. 

Performance standards for Galileo shipborne receivers were adopted in 2006 (resolution MSC.233(82)).

The satellite positioning systems already recognized by IMO as meeting the required standards in order to be used as a component of the WWRNS include GPS (since 1995), GLONASS (since 1996) and Beidou (since 2014).   

Ships routeing systems approved 
The Sub-Committee approved the following new and amended ships' routeing measures, for submission to the MSC for adoption:
 
Establishment of two new traffic separation schemes (TSSs)
• Establishment of new TSSs "Off Southwest Australia".
• Establishment of a new TSS "In the Corsica Channel".

Amendments to existing TSSs
• Amendments to the existing TSS "In the Approaches to Hook of Holland and at North Hinder" and associated measures, superseding the existing precautionary areas "In the approaches to Hook of Holland and at North Hinder".
• Amendments to the existing TSS "At West Hinder".
• Amendments to the existing TSS "In Bornholmsgat".

Other routeing measures
• Establishment of new two-way routes and precautionary areas "Approaches to the Schelde estuary", superseding the existing precautionary area "In the vicinity of Thornton and Bligh Banks".
• Establishment of new routeing measures "In Windfarm Borssele".
• Amendments to the existing area to be avoided "Off the coast of Ghana in the Atlantic Ocean".

Navigation around offshore multiple structures – draft amendments agreed
The Sub-Committee endorsed draft amendments on a recommendation to Governments to take into account safety of navigation when multiple structures at sea, such as wind turbines, are being planned. 

The proposed amendment would add a new paragraph in the General provisions on ships' routeing (resolution A.572(14), as amended) on establishing multiple structures at sea.

It recommends that Governments should take into account, as far as practicable, the impact multiple structures at sea, including but not limited to wind turbines, could have on the safety of navigation, including any radar interference.

Traffic density and prognoses, the presence or establishment of routeing measures in the area, and the manoeuvrability of ships and their obligations under the 1972 Collision Regulations should be considered when planning to establish multiple structures at sea.

Sufficient manoeuvring space extending beyond the side borders of traffic separation schemes should be provided to allow evasive manoeuvres and contingency planning by ships making use of routeing measures in the vicinity of multiple structure areas.

Updated SafetyNet and NAVTEX Manuals agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed revised and updated texts of the International SafetyNet and NAVTEX Manuals, for submission to the MSC for approval.

SafetyNet is the international automatic direct-printing satellite-based service for the promulgation of Maritime Safety Information (MSI), navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts, Search and Rescue (SAR) information and other urgent safety-related messages to ships. 

NAVTEX provides shipping with navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related information messages by automatic display or printout from a dedicated receiver.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) have contributed to the updating of the manuals, which will be issued as joint IMO/WMO/IHO publications.

GMDSS review completed, modernization plan to be developed
The Sub-Committee completed its review of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and moved the work forward, establishing a correspondence group to develop a preliminary draft of the Modernization Plan of the GMDSS.

The aim is to eventually adopt a revised and updated SOLAS Chapter IV, which maintains the requirements for ships to carry specified terrestrial and satellite radiocommunications equipment for sending and receiving distress alerts and maritime safety information, as well as for general communications. 

Following the detailed review of the GMDSS, it was noted that no new carriage or retrofit requirements for ships are proposed at this stage. It was also noted that consideration be given to a requirement for all lifeboats and at least some liferafts to be equipped with Search and Rescue Transponder SARTs.

The review recognizes that some equipment will evolve over time to use newer technologies, and updates of equipment may be necessary as a result of decisions of future competent ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs), for example, if spectrum allocation and/or regulatory provisions are amended.

The review recommends that SOLAS chapter IV should be revised to provide for other GMDSS satellite service providers in addition to Inmarsat. It also recommends that possible ways for maritime safety information (MSI) providers to provide and monitor MSI broadcasts over multiple GMDSS satellite service providers should be identified, with a view to minimizing the costs, or at least any potential cost increases, for MSI providers.

It is anticipated that the work to develop and approve the modernization plan, followed by the drafting of the revised regulations, could result in a revised SOLAS chapter IV being adopted with an entry force date of 2024. 

The Joint International Telecommunications Union (ITU)/IMO Experts Group, meeting in July 2016, will be invited to consider the interim preliminary draft of the Modernization Plan of the GMDSS developed by the correspondence group.

Recognition of Iridium as a GMDSS service provider considered
The Sub-Committee agreed that the Iridium mobile satellite system could be incorporated into the GMDSS subject to compliance with outstanding issues, and endorsed a comprehensive list of conditions which need to be fulfilled before Iridium could be recommended for recognition.

Standards for equipment to accommodate other GMDSS providers
The Sub-Committee continued developing draft Performance Standards for ship-borne GMDSS equipment to accommodate additional providers of GMDSS satellite services, and agreed to further work on the text at the next session. 

E-navigation work continued
The Sub-Committee continued its work on matters related to e-navigation, under the e-navigation Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP) which has been approved by the MSC. Three specific items were discussed during the session: revision of Performance Standards for Integrated Navigation Systems (INS); development of Guidelines for the harmonized display of navigation information received via communications equipment; and development of Revised Guidelines and criteria for ship reporting systems. The work will continue intersessionally and at the next NCSR session.

Harmonization of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue
The Sub-Committee considered matters related to the harmonization of aeronautical and maritime Search and Rescue, and agreed on work to be undertaken in relation to the regular updating of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual. The Sub-Committee endorsed the holding of the 23rd session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/IMO Joint Working Group on Search and Rescue, to be held from 12 to 16 September 2016.