AS a trading nation, Malaysia recorded a trade value of more than RM1.7 trillion alone in 2020.
This achievement would not have been possible without a sustainable transport sector as 90% of the world’s total trade is done through sea transport, especially the shipping and port sectors.
The e-navigation system employs electronic equipment such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The Aids to Navigation (AtoN) is the backbone of sea transport in ensuring the navigation system is safe throughout the voyage.
AtoN can be categorised into visual and electronic. Lighthouses, beacons and buoys are categorised under visual, while the Maritime Traffic Service System (VTS) and e-navigation are categorised under electronic.
The lighthouse is an early marker on land (landfall) as a guide to ship navigation. Its structure consists of a special space for caretakers, power supply and other support facilities. Its location is strategically chosen and built at a height to allow the visible distance of the lights as far away as 23 nautical miles.
Beacons are usually built with a smaller-sized structure compared to lighthouses and made from concrete or steel frame depending on its designated location on land or water. It was built as a land marker and also a safety guide in the navigation channel.
The Aids to Navigation (AtoN) system is the backbone of sea transport safety.
Buoys are a floating structure on the water surface supported by anchor equipment. Among the functions of buoys are to mark the navigation channel and dangerous areas.
The Maritime Traffic Service System (VTS) is a communication system between the ship and the control centre. The e-navigation system provides digital transfer of navigational aid data between ships and shore.
The responsibilities and obligations of a coastal state – as a member of the International Maritime Organisation – is to provide AtoN services as required under the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which has been ratified by Malaysia.
As a coastal state, Malaysia provides AtoN services to users of navigation channels in Malaysian waters. The Marine Department Malaysia ensures the AToN involved are functioning at an optimum level in line with its mission to establish a maritime transportation system based on the Development and Monitoring of National and International Standards.
The management of AtoN in Malaysia is under the responsibility of the Marine Department, which involves planning, developing and maintaining of AtoN in the national waters using funds from the Light Dues Board for Peninsular Malaysia waters, Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board for Sarawak waters and the Federal Consolidated Fund for Sabah waters.
Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse
The fund is obtained from the collection of light dues imposed on ships calling in Malaysian waters and ports. The Marine Department is responsible for maintaining a total of 40 lighthouses, 415 beacons and 398 buoys.
Along with the current development in the electronic technology, the Marine Department is also developing an electronic AtoN system known as e-navigation.
According to the International Maritime Organisation, e-navigation is “the harmonised collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of marine information on board and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services for safety and security at sea and protection of the marine environment.”
Beacons are built as a land marker and also a safe guide in the navigation channel.
This system enables the Marine Department to perform its role at an optimum level in any situation, including during a pandemic.
The e-navigation system includes electronic equipment such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) and other high-tech equipment.
Among the data developed in e-navigation are the Malaysia Vessel Database, Emergency Incident Response Database, AtoN Management, Marine Electronic Highway and others.
With these data, the Marine Department is able to expand its monitoring of maritime activities such as ships anchored without permission, encroachment on national waters and sand dredging activities.
The Marine Department Malaysia is an agency under the Transport Ministry and responsible to ensure navigational safety in Malaysian waters.
Buoys mark the navigation channel and dangerous areas.
