Navigation News

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the service launch of Iridium Certus GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime satellite communication safety services.Iridium Certus GMDSS, the only truly global GMDSS service available, features distress alert, safety voice, and Maritime Safety Information (MSI); includes additional regulated services like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), and provides the fastest weather-resilient broadband service available for conducting ships' business when other systems are blocked or unavailable.

HMNZS Manawanui grounded and sunk off the coast of Samoa as a result of human error, an interim Court of Inquiry report shows.The Royal New Zealand Navy ship grounded on a reef on the southern side of Samoa, on October 5, 2024, while conducting survey operations.Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding stood up a Court of Inquiry following the incident. “The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship’s autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been…

Locally supported, high-quality navigation systems for demanding vessels.In accordance with the regulations of the Chinese Classification Society, Anschütz is supplying a comprehensive Integrated Bridge System (IBS) for two newly built heavy-lift crane vessels at Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in China.The IBS is equipped with five Synapsis NX multifunctional workstations for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), (chart) radar and conning applications, as well as a NautoPilot 5000 NX autopilot, X- and S-band radars and a Standard 22 NX triple-gyro compass system.

Coach Solutions, a leading SaaS provider in the shipping industry, has upgraded its Valid Voyage optimization solution to include live weather conditions and forecasts.The Weather Viewer functionality is available to both crew onboard ship and shoreside managers simultaneously. Data is included in a live map view and can also be accessed as a PDF if the ship is operating in a low bandwidth environment.“We are able to predict the majority of vessel performance parameters with increasing accuracy…

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released an interim report into the grounding of the passenger ferry Aratere in Titoki Bay, Picton, on June 21, 2024, citing lack of knowledge about the steering system.The Aratere had been in service for about 26 years, and in May 2024, KiwiRail installed a new steering control system in four of the five command consoles on the bridge. It wasn’t installed on the autopilot console, which was part of the original track pilot integrated bridge navigation system by a different manufacturer.

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for Autonomous Navigation Assistance System ‘SAS’ developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).Samsung Autonomous Navigation Assistance System (SAS) is partially Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) including the functions of situational awareness through sensor fusion and electronic navigational chart information, collision and grounding risk assessment, collision and grounding avoidance.ClassNK is involved in various demonstration projects and continuously works to develop necessary safety standards…

The International Hydrographic Organization - Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory (IHO-Singapore Lab) is conducting trials of next generation IHO S-100 standards and dual format Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) on a prototype S-100 ECDIS [2] aboard the Italian Navy's training ship, Amerigo Vespucci.This is known as the “dual fuel” mode within the international hydrographic community, where S-100 ECDIS supports both current S-57 and new S-101 ENC formats.This trial marks the first time that the dual format mode is used for navigation in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the collision between the passenger ferry Waitere and the recreational vessel Onepoto in Paihia, Bay of Islands, on April 13, 2023.The Onepoto collided with the passenger ferry Waitere, known locally as the Blue Ferry, while the ferry was on its way from Russel to Paihia.The TAIC report describes catastrophic damage to the Waitere, which later sank. The Waitere's master was seriously injured, but its 19 passengers were largely uninjured.

A partnership between Iceland's TM Insurance and Hefring Marine promises to bring the 'big brother is watching' mantra foward faster in marine operations.Touted as an AI -driven ‘digital assistant’, the primary target for this offering are the helm stations of fast craft, and according to Hefring Marine, IMAS Helm addresses both accident prevention and fuel efficiency, aiming to provide fast craft operators with guidance such as a maximum advised speed, based upon the vessel’s route…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its preliminary assessment of the grounding of the general cargo vessel Baltic Arrow which ran aground on June 25, 2024 near New Dyke Farm on the River Nene while enroute to Wisbech, England.Baltic Arrow had set sail from Riga, Latvia, carrying a cargo of timber. The day before the grounding, the vessel anchored at the Wisbech anchorage off the east coast of England. At 0540 the following day, Baltic Arrow weighed anchor and proceeded to the pilot station where two pilots boarded at 0700.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released a new report indicating that alarms on ships must be rationalized to support crew welfare and avoid the safety risks associated with alarm fatigue.Consequently, LR and a selection of partners have created an industry task force to research industry approaches and assess their suitability for managing alarm systems funded by the Danish Maritime Fund.The report states that digitalization of maritime operations has led to the number of bridge alarms…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its preliminary assessment of the grounding of the bulk carrier Indian Partnership on April 23, 2023, and implicated voyage optimization planning.The UK-registered bulk carrier ran aground at 0409 off the coast of Misool Island while transiting the Indonesian archipelago. The grounding caused significant breaches to the hull, leading to water ingress into the duct keel and five ballast water tanks.Indian Partnership had set sail from Skardon River…

Anschütz launched a new version of its SYNAPSIS NX software for the Integrated Navigation System (INS), Radar NX and ECDIS NX applications. This new software version 05.07 will also be presented at SMM 2024 in Hamburg, Germany next month.With the new SYNAPSIS NX update, Anschütz has aimed to improve the user-friendliness and stability of the software and has created the basis for the bridge systems to comply with current and future standards. In addition to the requirements of the latest display standard IEC 62288 Edition 3…

Fred. Olsen Express, a Canary Island-based ferry company, is installing SEA.AI anti-collision technology on its ships to boost navigational safety at sea. The move is a world first for fast passenger ferries.At present AIS can display and identify maritime traffic superimposed over an electronic chart that in turn indicates fixed features such buoys, beacons and other navigational marks.SEA.AI can alert navigators and officers on the bridge to everything else floating on the water that has not been identified by these other systems.

A bulk carrier came within 200 m of grounding in the Great Barrier Reef after a GPS unit onboard the ship began providing false information to the pilot and crew on board, an ATSB final report details.The near grounding occurred early on the morning of May 4, 2022, when the 225m bulk carrier Rosco Poplar was transiting Hydrographers Passage under the conduct of a coastal pilot.Unknown to the pilot and crew, one of the ship’s three GPS units began outputting incorrect positional data during the early stages of the pilotage…

AST Networks has expanded into the navigation and communication (NavCom) system sector.The move reflects their commitment to providing comprehensive communication solutions that address the evolving needs of the marine industry. By integrating NavCom technologies with its existing suite of maritime IT solutions, AST Networks aims to offer unmatched operational efficiency, safety and compliance for maritime operators worldwide. NavCom systems provide real-time data and alerts, helping prevent collisions, grounding, and other hazards.

Furuno has introduced a new series of radars designed specifically for use on board commercial vessels.The FAR2XX8MK2 Radar series is designed to provide clearer and more accurate radar images of surroundings while increasing reliability and decreasing the overall cost of ownership with simplified maintenance, the manufacturer said, noting high-quality images are processed inside the antenna unit, where analog information is directly converted to digital signals before being sent to the below-deck processor unit. The gearbox and antenna have been redesigned to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Cobham Satcom unveiled its most advanced maritime satellite TV antenna, an antenna that is designed primarily for use on cruise ships and mega yachts, the 3.7 meter Sea Tel 370s TV is a solution designed to expand onboard access to the highest quality programming anywhere in the world, while significantly reducing lifetime technical costs.The Sea Tel 370s TV leverages the newest generation Sea Tel Integrated Marine Electronics (IMA) platform. The TVRO antenna features automatic C-band switching between circular and linear polarization…

Ineffective bridge resource management contributed to the grounding of a bulk carrier in the Port of Bunbury, Western Australia, an ATSB investigation has found.The grounding occurred on April 22, 2023, as the 229-meter long, Isle of Man-registered bulk carrier World Diana was departing Bunbury under the conduct of a harbour pilot, with two tugs assisting.After being moved off its berth, the ship had to be turned in the swing basin before exiting the harbour.“This turn was started earlier than planned, reducing the amount of room available,” Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

The Nautical Institute has welcomed Captain Trevor Bailey MNM FNI as its new President. He takes over the presidency from Captain André LeGoubin MNM MA FNI. The election took place at the Institute’s recent AGM held in Manila, Philippines.As President, Captain Bailey will be representing the interests of the members of The Nautical Institute, a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the IMO.As a seagoing and serving Master, Captain Bailey is perfectly placed…

Spire Global, a provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, announced it has been awarded a CA $1.41 million contract by the Government of Canada for the provision of global automatic identification system (AIS) ship tracking data.The one-year contract includes options for two additional years, extending the total potential contract value to nearly CA $4.23 million, Spire said.Under the contract, Spire will share its real-time global ship tracking data, providing visibility in both open oceans and high-traffic zones.

The IMO's Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) met from June 3 to 14 at IMO headquarters in London, covering a range of issues including maritime pilot safety, improving the security and integrity of AIS, and the dissemination of information over multiple recognized mobile satellite services under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).Pilot transfer arrangements and amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 agreedTo improve compliance and address inconsistencies and ambiguities in existing regulations…

Saab TransponderTech has announced that its latest navigation system, the R6 NAV NEO, has received approval from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). This makes it the first SOLAS-approved navigation system for general use in any waters that also meets the stringent requirements of the Panama Canal.The R6 NAV NEO is engineered to meet the increasing global demand for high precision navigation sensors, making it a versatile solution for open seas, ports and other busy waters, says Saab TransponderTech.