AUSTRALIA was re-elected to the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Council for a four-year term.
Australia will be represented on the Council by a delegate from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The decision was announced at the 20th IALA Conference and General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 3 June.
AMSA principal advisor of aids to navigation engineering and head of the Australian delegation Greg Hansen said this was an important opportunity for Australia to demonstrate our leadership in maritime safety.
“AMSA maintains a network of almost 500 marine aids to navigation across Australia,” he said.
“These range from our stunning heritage lighthouses to our smaller automated lights in the Great Barrier Reef.
“Without these aids to navigation, we would not have a global maritime industry – they are the unsung heroes of our oceans.
“AMSA is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the development of international standards and best practice for the harmonisation of marine aids to navigation worldwide.”
The first council meeting was held directly after the general assembly.
Members discussed setting the scene for the next four years and endorsed the working arrangements of IALA’s technical committees.
