Reef navigation aids to be upgraded

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has awarded a contract for the maintenance of its aids to navigation network.

AMSA manages a network of 492 navigational aids at 381 sites around Australia, assisting the commercial shipping industry to make safe and efficient passages.

“About 40% of AMSA’s aids to navigation are located within the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and the Coral Sea regions, which are challenging to navigate,” said AMSA Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey.

AMSA entered into the contract with Brisbane-based company Australian Maritime Systems on 5 February following a rigorous open tender process which began in 2013.

Australian Maritime Systems will maintain AMSA’s aids to navigation network and provide a Level 1 emergency towage capability under the contract. Both contracts are fixed price for a term of 10 years.

The aids to navigation Australian Maritime Systems will assist in maintaining include traditional lighthouses, beacons, buoys, racons, differential global positioning system stations, radars, automatic identification system stations, broadcasting tide gauges, wave rider buoys and a weather station.

The maintenance contractor will also upgrade aids to navigation equipment during the contract period.

“These are used as key navigational tools by seafarers, enabling them to take responsibility for their safety at sea,” Peachey said. “The upgrade of the aids to navigation during the life of the contract will deliver substantial additional value to AMSA.”