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- Worldwide – IMO Secretary-General launches ‘Accident Zero’ initiative
- Worldwide – Potential hazard to navigation in Arabian Gulf
DATE: September 18, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide IMO Secretary-General launches ‘Accident Zero’ initiative
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, during his closing address to the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, (14 September 2012), praised the safety record of the Turkish Straits VTS, which came into service in 2003, and encouraged IALA and VTS operators to undertake an initiative in which ports, harbours, straits and sea areas with VTS would count, and publicise, the number of consecutive accident-free days.
Mr. Sekimizu said that since the introduction of the advanced VTS in the Strait of Istanbul, the Strait of Canakkale, and the Marmara Sea, there had been no major accident and it had been a significant achievement to maintain such a record over nearly a decade. He added that, in order to promote safety and encourage all parties involved, a clear concept – akin to a corporate safety culture – for all those with an interest in safe navigation in the Straits, and in areas covered by VTS, should be created to ensure that everybody is working together to achieve a common objective….
….Mr. Sekimizu asked IALA to consider this concept and develop, together with him, an ‘Accident Zero’ campaign worldwide, and to start this campaign from Istanbul….
(For information about operations worldwide contact the respective GAC office. For details go to the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com)
Source: Extracts from International Maritime Organisation (www.imo.org) Briefing No.36 dated 18 September 2012
DATE: September 18, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide Potential hazard to navigation in Arabian Gulf
The Naval Forces U.S. Central Command (NAVCENT) Battle Watch advises that a potential hazard to navigation exists at location 2749.4N/05037.2E.
A cargo ship has lost three empty 55 gallon barrels, black in color with rate and direction of drift unknown. Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) has been notified of the hazard.
The Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO)- Bahrain will advise if further information becomes available.
Any vessel having information on this or any other hazard is requested to report the information to MARLO for follow-on coordination and distribution.
(For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com)
Source: MARLO Bahrain (http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/MARLO/) Maritime Advisory 0003-12
