ANM 9 / 14 / 03



UNCLASSIFIED 

Emergency wreck buoys and synchronized lights

From: Coleman Andrew [Andrew.Coleman@UKHO.gov.uk]

Sent: 18 January 2007 12:59
To: Duncan.Glass@thls.org; Roger Barker
Subject: Emergency wreck buoys and synchronized lights

HA317/010/032-06


Dear Duncan and Roger

This is just a brief report from the IHO’s 3rd CSPCWG (Chart Standardization & Paper Chart Working Group) meeting, in November 2006, where the charting of emergency wreck buoys and sychronized lights were agenda items.

Here is the record of the decisions on emergency wreck buoys (explanatory additions in square brackets):

        Emergency wreck buoy:   

    Docs:   CSPCWG 3-8.1A           Emergency wreck buoy

    The meeting agreed that no action to correct M-4 and INT 1 should be taken until the IALA trial has been completed. However, when the trial is completed and if the emergency wreck buoy is established as an IALA navigational aid and with the proposed characteristics, then the following CSPCWG actions should be taken:

    For INT 1 [Symbols, Abbreviations & Terms used on Charts]: 

o       light and buoy colours to be arranged YBu (in conformity with normal practice, as yellow is likely to be visible further from the buoy)

o       no action for section P (as the light character is a composite) 
o       add the topmark to Q9 
o       add buoy symbol, with light character ‘Al.Oc(2)YBu.3s’, at Q63 
o       add buoy symbol, with light character and explanation, at Q130.7. 

    For M-4 [Chart Specifications of the IHO] (if timing is right, these to be included when [section] B-460/470 is revised):

o       add topmark at B-463.1 
o       add an additional example at B-464.3 for stripes 
o       add an additional example at B-466.2 (after safe water) 
o       add blue to B-471.4. 

    The meeting agreed that an IHO CL [Circular Letter] should be issued to appraise M/S [Member States] of the matter, and recommend (T)NM [temporary notice to mariners] action. A copy of UK Notice to Mariners 3085(T)/06 is at Annex E, as an example. CSMWG, TSMAD [other IHO technical WGs principally addressing ENC matters] and IALA (via UK’s Trinity House) to be advised of the CSPCWG decisions. There is a possible need to clarify the definition of ‘phase’ in [The Hydrographic Dictionary] S-32 (3768), along the lines of the definition in UK’s List of Lights.

    ACTION 9: Chairman to advise CSMWG and TSMAD of CSPCWG conclusions on charting practice for emergency wreck buoys.

    ACTION 10: Secretary to advise IALA (via Trinity House) of decisions on charting practice for emergency wreck buoys (when trial completed).

Here is the record for synchronized lights:

        

        Synchronized and sequential lights 

    Docs:   CSPCWG 3-8.5A           Synchronized and sequential lights

    The WG agreed that IHO M/S should be asked to endorse the abbreviation ‘(sync)’, as agreed at the 2nd CSPCWG meeting*, in the next appropriate IHO CL (probably covering the revision of B-430). The abbreviation, if approved, would be included in M-4 during the revision of B-470. A courtesy note to Trinity House explaining the decision is required.

    ACTION 16:  IHB to include ‘(sync)’ in next IHO CL asking for endorsement of CSPCWG proposals.

    [After-meeting note: AU has recommended that M/S should not be asked to endorse the abbreviation ‘sync’ until an accompanying specification is developed, noting the combining of two terms (sequential and synchronized) into one abbreviation. This action will not therefore be progressed until that is done, as part of the revision of M-4, section B-470.]

    ACTION 17:  Secretary to advise TH of CSPCWG decision re ‘(sync)’.

*Record from 2nd CSPCWG (October 2005)

    Synchronized and sequential lights (UK)

        Docs    CSPCWG 2-8.6A   Charting of Synchronised & Sequential lights

                CSPCWG 2-8.6B   Point Richards Chan lights sequence diagram

                CSPCWG 2-8.6C   Victorian Notices to Mariners

                CSPCWG 2-8.6D   Timed Sequential Flashing Aids to Navigation

1.      The WG noted that the use of synchronized and sequential lighting patterns is increasing.  It agreed that it would now be useful to show such cases on the chart (contrary to current specification B-478.3), although any details would have to be given in chart notes or associated publications.

2.      The WG decided that the abbreviation ‘sync’ was reasonably intuitive, but that ‘seq’ was not.  Although sequential lights are not strictly synchronized, it was decided that the qualifying term ‘(sync)’ could be used to cover both cases, provided this is clearly defined in INT 1.

3.      M-4 B-478.3 will need amending.  The location in INT 1 Section P is yet to be determined. 
4.      A CSPCWG Letter would be required to outline the proposal to the full WG for approval in the first instance.  TSMAD and C&SMWG should be given opportunity to comment.  IALA to be informed of WG view, via UK’s General Lights Authority (Trinity House) who have already been involved in preliminary discussions.

Prior to our 3rd meeting, you had informed us

    The ANM [Aids to Navigation Management] Task (No.3) on the Use of Synchronised and Sequential Lights has commenced at the ANM  8 Committee meeting at IALA - 16th to 20th October.  The Working Group responsible for this Task has initiated liaison with other IALA Committee's in order to collect all relevant data and experience available before drafting  a Guideline or Recommendation on the use of Synchronised and Sequential Lights.  The Task is scheduled to be completed at the ANM 12 Session in October 2008 when the Draft document will go to the IALA Council for approval prior to being issued to all Member Countries and maritime stakeholders.

This is the usual time necessary for input from maritime nations and for the coordination of such input into a single document.  

We would be grateful if you would inform the appropriate IALA WG and Committees of the CSPCWG’s decision on the charting of such lights (but noting that it is still to be endorsed by the IHO Member States). We have also examined carefully the definition and usage of the word ‘synchronized’ and believe it to be approporiate to use as a generic term to cover both synchronous lights (ie ones that flash at the same time) and sequential lights (which flash in a synchronized sequence).

Best regards

Andrew Heath-Coleman

Secretary Chart Standardization and Paper Chart WG

Operations Technical Support

Tel: +44(0)1823 337900 ext 3656

email:  andrew.coleman@ukho.gov.uk


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