The study to review category of aids to navigation in accordance with IALA recommendation

Abstract

Northern region peninsular Malaysia is divided into 4 states which is Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Pulau Pinang whereby each state has their own coastal area for maritime activity. In this area, there are marine Aids to Navigation such as Buoy, beacon and lighthouse. This aids to navigation which is very important to guide maritime activities in their operation in sailing. By these marine aids to navigation, navigator can avoid unwanted incidents and ensure their safe navigation. However IMO implemented that each vessel which have their voyage over 25 nautical miles must be equipped with electrical navigational equipments such as Radar, GPS, AIS etc to avoid any accidents for safe voyage and to determine their position. The vessel which equipped with electrical navigational equipment do not rely on marine aids to navigation while in open sea because AtoN can't be recognize exactly when the vessel position exceeds than 25 miles from the AtoN where the visibility range is reduced. However AtoN is very important to fishermen who has operate in Zone B and above where they have no full navigational equipment and AtoN which is also very important to vessels which experiences system breakdowns. All merchants ship which enters into the port area relies on AtoN especially buoy and beacon light to ensure their safety and their position in the right way. Therefore MARDEPT plays an important role to maintain availability functioning of the AtoN according to IALA recommendation to ensure the safe operation for merchant ships and fishermen.