The obligations towards operation of AtoN are dependent on a number of factors, including;
- International standards set by organizations like the IMO and IALA.
- The alignment between the operation of AtoN and the management and issuance of Maritime Safety Information (MSI).
- National and local legislation, established levels of service and other organizational mandates.
- The collection of AtoN levies, or other methods of apportioning the cost of delivering AtoN services to the shipping and other associated maritime industries.
The delivery of AtoN presents a number of unique challenges. CARDINAL was developed as a full asset and compliance management system based on real world scenarios, that provides AtoN users with the tools required to meet those challenges and effectively and efficiently provide a higher level of AtoN management and safer outcomes at sea.
The total through-life costs of an AtoN are often under-estimated.
The cost of designing and installing structures for reliable operation in harsh and often very remote marine environments is a major consideration, but just as important, if not more, is the ongoing need for maintenance. Maintenance ensures that an AtoN is kept in optimal operating condition, reduces the possibility of failures and maximizes its useful lifespan, thereby reducing the total through-life cost.
One of the primary requirements of AtoN is that they are reliable – they must operate as regularly as the vessels that use them. IALA classify this reliability as ‘Availability’, which it defines as ‘the probability that an AtoN or system of AtoN, as defined by the Competent Authority, is performing its specified function at any randomly chosen time. This is expressed as a percentage of total time that an AtoN, or system of AtoN, should be performing their specified function’.
Maintaining this level of availability can be partially achieved by using robust, fit for purpose equipment and practical, well-designed structures that are suitable for the conditions in which they are operated. Whilst selection of equipment is critical, these levels of availability are often unattainable without some level of maintenance.
The vast majority of AtoN are installed either in, or adjacent to, very harsh and exposed marine environments. This is a particularly corrosive environment, especially for steel structures. Exposure to wind, waves and extreme heat and humidity impacts the integrity of AtoN structures over their life span. It is also a challenging environment in which to install and reliably operate electronics due to the environmental conditions, especially heat and humidity. These types of conditions necessitate regular inspection of equipment and regular preventative maintenance to be carried out.
At M-NAV Solutions, we can provide maintenance services for the products we supply as well as for existing installations or entire AtoN networks. M-NAV Solutions personnel have extensive experience in AtoN maintenance, with specialist expertise in remote sites and challenging tropical environments. We can assist in assessing your maintenance requirements, based on existing assets or planned expansions, and provide relevant and cost-effective maintenance solutions that will reduce the probability of failures and extend the lifespan of your assets.
