A survey is underway to assess the operational status of beacons, buoys and sea radars in the waters off Bahrain.
Three abandoned beacons will be removed while the performance of two historic beacons and all other aids to navigation (Atons) will be re-evaluated.
This follows an agreement signed between Bahrain-based Middle East Navigation Aids Service (Menas) and Bahrain’s Ports and Maritime Affairs (PMA).
“The survey aims to assess and evaluate the Atons in Bahraini waters, to take a tally of all the different types of floating buoys, beacons and racons (radar beacons) in the seas and to record their condition,” Menas general manager Mahdi Al Mosawi told the GDN.
“The assessment is important, with major developments planned in Bahrain waters, especially ones aimed at promoting sea tourism and islands with reef and coral beds.
“The study will come up with recommendations on which aids need to be removed or replaced.
“We will also provide a report on the classification of the Atons, based on three international categorisation standards: vital, important, and necessary.
“Those that do not fit into any one of these categories will be removed.”
Bahrain does not have a lighthouse, but it does have several light beacons, buoys, and racons.
Beacons are fixed on the seabed or on the shore and are illuminated throughout the day, whereas racons or radio transponders are receivers or transmitter devices used to denote landmarks and maritime navigational hazards. Buoys are anchored floats that are used as a navigational aid, to indicate reefs or other hazards, or for mooring.
“Two of Bahrain’s historic light beacons – the Zarwan beacon in Bahrain Bay and the Jarada beacon in the Jarada island – are still functional,” said Mr Al Mosawi.
“The Zarwan beacon was used before to lead the mariners for to old port of Manama and now it is marking a hazard, as in keeping boats away from shallow area.
“They too will also be assessed; they are fitted with LED lanterns that run on solar-powered batteries and they have a sun-switch which powers on its own when the sun sets and turns off at day-break.
“Three light beacons in the northwest of Bahrain are very old, abandoned and not functional anymore; they will be removed.
“The other existing beacons will be assessed for risk and safety and decisions will be taken if they should be put in the same place or moved.
“We will also put up a proposal to name and number the Atons, which can be updated on the PMA database.
“This will help in easy identification on the need for replacement or repair, in the future.”
Menas chief executive Peter Stanley added that his team will use internationally accredited risk assessment tools with engineers visually inspecting and evaluating the Atons.
“Menas has divided Bahraini waters into nine zones and will evaluate Atons in each zone through that Atons’ usage factor,” he explained. “This will provide mariners with the necessary guidance either marking a channel or isolating danger or keeping the vessels out of a particular danger zone.”
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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