Background
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities brings together representatives of the aids to navigation services of more than 80 member countries for technical coordination, information sharing, and coordination of improvements to visual aids to navigation throughout the world. It was established in 1957 to provide a permanent organization to support the goals of the Technical Lighthouse Conferences, which had been convening since 1929. The General Assembly of IALA meets about every 4 years. The Council of 20 members meets twice a year to oversee the ongoing programs.
Six technical committees maintain the permanent programs:
- e-NAV – Electronic Navigation;
- ANM – Aids to Navigation Management – concentrating on management issues experienced by members;
- EEP – Engineering, Environmental and Preservation – concentrating on the preservation of traditional aids to navigation as well as the engineering aspects of all aids to navigation;
- VTS – Vessel Traffic Services – concentrating on all issues surrounding VTS
- PAF – Pilotage Authority Forum
- LAP – Legal Advisory Panel
IALA committees provide important documentation to the International Hydrographic Organization and other international organizations, while the IALA Secretariat acts as a clearing house for the exchange of technical information, and organizes seminars and technical support for developing countries.
Its principal work since 1973 has been the implementation of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. This system replaced some 30 dissimilar buoyage systems in use throughout the world with 2 major systems. This rationalised system was introduced as a result of two accidents in the Dover Straits in 1971 when the Brandenburg hit the wreck of the Texaco Caribbean off Folkestone and sank although the wreck was accurately buoyed. A short while later the Niki also struck the Texaco Caribbean and sank, despite the wreckage being adequately marked. The combined loss of lives in these two accidents was 51 persons.
IALA is based near Paris in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.
Read more about this topic: International Association Of Lighthouse Authorities
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