International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
Encyclopedia
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (or IALA for short) is a non-profit organization founded in 1957 to collect and provide nautical expertise and advice.
throughout the world. It was established in 1957 to provide a permanent organization to support the goals of the Technical Lighthouse Conferences, which had been convening since 1929. The General Assembly of IALA meets about every 4 years. The Council of 20 members meets twice a year to oversee the ongoing programs.
Six technical committees maintain the permanent programs:
IALA committees provide important documentation to the International Hydrographic Organization
and other international organizations, while the IALA Secretariat acts as a clearing house for the exchange of technical information, and organizes seminars and technical support for developing countries.
Its principal work since 1973 has been the implementation of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. This system replaced some 30 dissimilar buoyage systems in use throughout the world with 2 major systems.
IALA is based near Paris in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
, France
.
systems that are used in the pilotage
of vessels at sea:
Each type of mark has a distinctive colour, shape and possibly a characteristic light
.
Background
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities brings together representatives of the aids to navigation services of more than 80 member countries for technical coordination, information sharing, and coordination of improvements to visual aids to navigationNavigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
throughout the world. It was established in 1957 to provide a permanent organization to support the goals of the Technical Lighthouse Conferences, which had been convening since 1929. The General Assembly of IALA meets about every 4 years. The Council of 20 members meets twice a year to oversee the ongoing programs.
Six technical committees maintain the permanent programs:
- e-NAV – Electronic Navigation;
- ANM – Aids to Navigation Management – concentrating on management issues experienced by members;
- EEP – Engineering, Environmental and Preservation – concentrating on the preservation of traditional aids to navigation as well as the engineering aspects of all aids to navigation;
- VTS – Vessel Traffic Services – concentrating on all issues surrounding VTS
- PAF – Pilotage Authority Forum
- LAP – Legal Advisory Panel
IALA committees provide important documentation to the International Hydrographic Organization
International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
and other international organizations, while the IALA Secretariat acts as a clearing house for the exchange of technical information, and organizes seminars and technical support for developing countries.
Its principal work since 1973 has been the implementation of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. This system replaced some 30 dissimilar buoyage systems in use throughout the world with 2 major systems.
IALA is based near Paris in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Main recommendations
The IALA is primarily known for its buoyage or sea markSea mark
A sea mark, also seamark and navigation mark, is a form of aid to navigation and pilotage aid which identifies the approximate position of a maritime channel, hazard and administrative area to allow boats, ships and seaplanes to navigate safely....
systems that are used in the pilotage
Pilotage
Pilotage is the use of fixed visual references on the ground or sea by means of sight or radar to guide oneself to a destination, sometimes with the help of a map or nautical chart. People use pilotage for activities such as guiding vessels and aircraft, hiking and Scuba diving...
of vessels at sea:
- Lateral markLateral markA lateral buoy, lateral post or lateral mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the edge of a channel....
s indicate the edges of a channel. - Cardinal markCardinal markA cardinal mark is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water....
s indicate the direction of safe water at a dangerous spot. - Safe water markSafe water markthumb|right|Examples of Safe Water MarksA Safe Water Mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the end of a channel...
s indicate the deep water and open end of a channel. - Special markSpecial markA Special Mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the boundary of an obstruction, administrative area such as a speed limit, water skiing or mooring area, or to highlight other features such as outfall sewerage...
s indicate administrative areas, such as speed restrictions or water skiing areas. - Isolated danger markIsolated danger markAn Isolated Danger Mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate a hazard to shipping such as a partially submerged rock....
s indicate a hazard to shipping.
Each type of mark has a distinctive colour, shape and possibly a characteristic light
Characteristic light
A light characteristic is a graphic and text description of a navigational light sequence or colour displayed on a nautical chart or in a Light List with the chart symbol for a lighthouse, lightvessel, buoy or sea mark with a light on it. The graphic indicates how the real light beacon may be...
.
IALA sea mark regions
2 regions exist around the world; notably the IALA region A and the IALA region B. Region B covers the whole of the Americas, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, while the rest of the world belongs to the region A.Source
The text of "Background" section of this article originated from section 125 of the American Practical Navigator, a document produced by the government of the United States of America.See also
- Captain John BuryJohn Bury (captain)Captain John Bury was a master mariner and Elder Brother of Trinity House. He was involved in the adoption of a standardised buoyage system internationally.Bury was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan...
- General Lighthouse AuthorityGeneral Lighthouse AuthorityA General Lighthouse Authority is a dedicated Government Agency of a Country or Nation tasked with and responsible for the provision and maintenance of lighthouses, lightvessels, navigational aids and any other equipment or facilities which ensure the safety of mariners and sailors navigating the...
- e-Navigation concept