First World Marine Aids to Navigation Day set to be on July 1st 2019
On 12th September 2018 the Secretariat invited Members of all categories to submit proposals for the theme of the first World Marine Aids to Navigation (WAtoN) Day, which was established by the General Assembly at its 13th Session on 29th May 2018 and published as Resolution A13.04. By the deadline of 1st November, twelve Members had submitted proposals. Following consideration of the submissions by the Secretariat, it was decided to propose a broad theme for the inaugural WAtoN Day:
Marine Aids to Navigation
Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet
This theme serves as an umbrella to encompass the suggestions proposed by Members and accommodates all aspects of each IALA Committee. Through the use of IALAs motto it reinforces our mission in the maritime arena for worldwide harmonisation of AtoN standards, the facilitation of the safety and efficiency of navigation and the protection of the environment.
The theme ‘Marine Aids to Navigation – Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet’ satisfies the objectives of the WAtoN Day, which are:
- To promote greater awareness of IALA by bringing to the attention of the wider public the role of IALA and the significance of its technical work in enhancing the safety of navigation world-wide.
- To improve the society’s perception of AtoN as modern, technologically advanced marine aids which, alongside traditional lighthouses, embrace the latest digital developments and support new developments in all fields, including VTS.
Using this broad approach more familiar AtoN, such as the maritime buoyage system, could serve as a gateway to highlight to the wider public the important role AtoN currently plays in society and the latest developments. The maritime community would be well engaged by using its direct connection with established and future AtoN.
Subject to Council approval, it is proposed that each year an overarching theme could be used to showcase Marine Aids to Navigation.
