Operating both in international waters and local ports and harbours from the coast of Fujeirah to the northern end of the Gulf, MENAS is responsible for the deployment and maintenance of more than 500 aids to navigation. Included among the land, sea and radio-based aids are lighthouses, light floats, buoys and radar beacons (racons).
NAVTEX
• MENAS is the Acting Sub-Area Co-ordinator for NAVAREA IX (the Gulf and its Approaches) co-ordinating a NAVTEX service within the framework of the WWNWS system established jointly by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). NAVTEX is an international automated direct-printing service for promulgation of navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships. The system fulfils an integral role in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• MENAS, through its role as a Navtex Co-ordinator, has a direct operational link with the end users of its other services.
MENAS Notices to Mariners
• MENAS Notices to Mariners promulgate navigational information of a permanent or semi- permanent nature received from governmental nautical authorities, ports and harbour authorities, oil companies and others engaged in maritime operations. This includes information received from ships’ masters and other sources. Each Notice specifies the original source of the information and refers to the British Admiralty Chart(s) affected by the Notice.
• MENAS has a long history of co-operation with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and has established a bilateral cooperation agreement.
• MENAS promulgates a Monthly Summary of Notices to Mariners which ensures dissemination of information to all major hydrographical offices worldwide. MENAS maintains close operational links with the world’s hydrographic offices.
Differential Global Positioning (DGPS)
MENAS was responsible for the introduction of the MENAS Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) in the Gulf. When introduced, this unencrypted system was the most advanced long-range system in the world. The universally and freely accessible system, which is maintained and operated by MENAS, provides the means of fixing a navigational position with an accuracy to within one metre both at sea and on land throughout the Gulf region.
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