On World Marine Aids to Navigation Day, which falls on Thursday, July 1, the Board of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is reminding the world’s ship owners that Aids to Navigation (AtoN) are imperative to keeping the Middle East Gulf region safe for vessels and crew, but that they must be paid for.
Aids to Navigation (AtoN) services
The Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) has been providing AtoN services since 1911
The Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS), a subsidiary of IFAN, has been providing AtoN services since 1911, as no states can agree responsibility for the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) in the joint waters of the Gulf region.
This service is funded exclusively via navigation dues payments and the sustainability of the existing service, on which the shipping industry depends, is totally dependent on receipt of these navigation dues (nav dues).
Peter Stanley, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IFAN, said “World Marine Aids to Navigation Day is the perfect day to highlight the pivotal role played in aids to navigation internationally. MENAS is committed to providing world-class navigational aids, but ship owners need to acknowledge the services they receive and pay the necessary nav dues. All ships in the area share the benefit and safety of well-maintained AtoN.”
Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS)
The Middle East Navigation Aids Service is currently the Gulf region’s renowned innovator in the development, fabrication, supply and maintenance of AtoN. Operating from its main base in Bahrain and a support base in Abu Dhabi, MENAS owns and maintains an extensive network of buoys, lighthouses and DGPS transmitters.
MENAS also provides essential information and advice such as the issuance of notices to mariners, advising on hazards to shipping and coordinating additions to navigation charts for the Gulf region. Over 2,000 vessels rely upon MENAS equipment and services each month.
