AMSA maintains a network of over 480 marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN), in line with international standards, to ensure safe navigation in Australian waters. In a recent publication, AMSA highlights that AIS AtoN technologies will need to be replaced with systems that are protected according to modern cybersecurity best practices.
AMSA also discusses how this new reality will affect these systems and what must be considered to ensure navigational safety. As explained, AMSA’s AtoN network is primarily used by commercial shipping and includes traditional lighthouses, beacons and buoys as well as electronic aids (i.e., racon and Automatic Identification System (AIS) AtoN). The states, ports and territory collectively operate many more AtoNs.
The advent of virtual AIS AtoNs has allowed the rapid deployment of a digital navigation marker. Transmitted from a separately located AIS base station these digital markers offer several advantages: weather resilience, flexibility and cost-efficiency, coverage and adaptability.
Notwithstanding these benefits, limitations to consider include requirement for suitably located base stations, risk of inaccurate position data, and susceptibility of AIS data to spoofing or jamming.
AMSA highlights virtual AtoN are not intended to replace physical markers but rathercomplement them where traditional infrastructure is impractical. Heritage lighthouses will continue to be an important part of Australia’s culture
Proper training and awareness among mariners is essential to effectively utilise these tools and ensure navigational safety
8 key trends to consider
- Maritime communications will be an enabler for innovative AtoN solutions
- Growing use of electronic AtoN (e.g. AIS/VDES AtoN) to supplement the physical marking of hazards to navigation, particularly temporary hazards.
- The relative ease of establishing virtual AtoNs (i.e., for marking hazards in an emergency)
- Advances in the development of physical AtoN (Internet-ofThings).
- Physical AtoNs may become a secondary source of navigation information for some vessel types, however, will remain essential component of Australia’s AtoN network.
- With growth in the use of new technology radars, conventional racons are not as effective.
- Harmonisation and improvements in AtoN networks remain important nationally and internationally.
- Increasingly connected networks of navigation services and AtoNs may be vulnerable to cyber threats.
AMSA further noted that ships will increasingly need modern navigation systems that are capable of effectively using electronic AtoN. Virtual AtoN will remain effective to increase awareness of navigation hazards for crew on vessels equipped with compliant navigation systems.
The benefits are:
- Enhanced safety through real-time and accurate information
- Integration with existing onboard systems (e.g., complementing visual aids) Faster response to temporary hazards
