e-Navigation

Introduction

As the Agency responsible for the delivery of maritime services in Canada, the CCG believes that it is well positioned to play a leadership role for the development and implementation of e-navigation in Canada. The concept of e-navigation, which is currently being developed worldwide, must be implemented in a coordinated and organized manner. e-Navigation is expected to significantly enhance maritime safety, have positive economic effects and increase environmental protection.

In 2008-2009, the CCG completed a draft vision and strategy for e-Navigation based on its participation in the e-Navigation committee of the International Association of the Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) as well as consultations with international experts, the CCG College, Transport Canada and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS).

This year, the CCG is looking to hear from its stakeholders in order to develop a profile of user requirements. This information will be used nationally and will also be passed to IALA and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It will be used to scope the project in order to meet client demands, modernize services, and adapt CCG’s business to the new reality of better informed mariners.

Consultation sessions will be conducted throughout Canada between April and October 2009. Please contact your regional CCG offices for more information if you are interested to participate. In parallel to these consultation session, you are invited to fill out a Joint e-Navigation User Needs Survey, which is being conducted in cooperation with the German Ministry of Transport and the Unites States. Preliminary results of the joint survey will be compiled and submitted to IMO NAV 55 in May 2009. Results received after this period will be part of a later submission to IMO.

If you are interested to fill out the survey, the questionnaire can be completed in three different ways:

• Via internet, by completing the questionnaire at the following address ( http://www.earsandeyes.com/e-navigation ) (english only)
• Via e-mail, by filling the questionnaire as a PDF version and sending it at the following e-mail address: andre.chateauvert@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• Via fax, by printing and filling the questionnaire as a print-out version to be faxed to 613-998-8428

Description

As defined by IMO, “e-Navigation is the harmonised collection, integration, exchange and presentation of maritime information onboard 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”.

Documents

• CCG e-Navigation Strategy (October 2008)
• IMO Draft Strategy for the Development and Implementation of e-Navigation
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on e-Navigation (IALA Document)

External Links

• IMO internet page on e-navigation
  http://www.imo.org/TCD/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1369

• IMO NAV 54 internet page (54th session of Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation)
  http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=112&doc_id=8876