The IALA Marine Aids to Navigation – Innovation for a Sustainable Future Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro during May and June this year. Being able to attend was a fantastic opportunity for me to meet members of the IALA family, learn more from the expert speakers and share NASH Maritime’s products, services, and skills with attendees and other IALA Industrial Members.
Exhibiting at the conference was especially helpful as, despite not having bright flashing lights, big display screens or free drinks, we had some great conversations with IALA members, attendees and other commercial members at our stand.
We were able to share NASH Maritime’s core mission “creating a sustainable, accident-free maritime environment” and how recent and ongoing projects are helping to deliver this. In several conversations, we received valuable insights from IALA members and attendees on their experiences, challenges encountered and opportunities to improve navigation safety.
Within my area of responsibility, which we call “Technology Advisory”, a big point of discussion was current capabilities and future opportunities for digitising navigation support tools and systems. Amongst these was VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) functionality, test cases and possibilities which were raised both in stand conversations and during the final conference sessions.
Thinking was shared on the cyber security enhancements VDES brings over current AIS (and remaining vulnerabilities), its global coverage application through satellite-based services and its local lower tech possibilities particularly in range (R) mode as a coastal based position, navigation, and timing system.
Of course, I must mention the paper by NASH Maritime’s Dr Ed Rogers titled “Assessment of volume of traffic and degree of risk for UK Overseas Territories”.
This focused on the practical steps which Coastal States can make to deliver significant improvements to navigation safety. With a clear mandate, capacity building, and appropriate use of digital systems, changes can be realised quickly and efficiently, especially for small island states which are reliant on safety of navigation for almost all import/export and major revenue streams such as fishing and tourism.
The paper was well received in the conference session, and we had further in-depth discussions on the stand and during the excellent gala dinner on the final night.
The whole event was excellently organised by the IALA Council and hosted by the Brazilian Navy, Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation on the spectacular coast of Rio de Janeiro. It is an understatement to say that the venue, conference, exhibition, formal and informal social events, contacts made, and the stunning scenery of the area exceeded all my expectations.
I’m looking forward to following up on a number of themes and conversations with a whole host of people in the coming weeks and months.
