New Navigational Broadcast System for IMO Presentation

NAVDAT maritime safety system proposal to be presented to IMO

French company Kenta reports that it will be presenting its new system for maritime data broadcasting – NAVDAT (Navigational Data) – during the 16th session of the Sub-committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR) of the International Maritime Organisation.

 NAVDAT aims to introduce a numerical maritime communication system accessible to smaller tonnage vessels worldwide using the universal 500 kHz frequency, and is the result of a collaborative project called IPBC (Internet Protocol for Boat Communications), headed by Kenta.

Kenta says that the data transmission rates offered by NAVDAT extend the service provided by the current global system, NAVTEX, and assumes the same major functions (navigational warnings, weather forecasts and emergency information for shipping).

However, the company claims that NAVDAT offers an increased speed of transmission and improved processing quality by providing access to a range of additional data, in text format but also in the form of images and graphs.

This data is set to include meteo-oceanographic information in the form of charts (e .g. isobaric) or numerical data (e.g. regular updates on the position of the eye of a tropical cyclone), reports showing mapped positioning of ice and icebergs, warning reports relating to piracy, and other information relating to maritime search and rescue.

The NAVDAT system also offers a range of broadcasting options, whether it is to all vessels or to vessels sailing within a specific geographical area, and has an encryption option for transmitting confidential information.

France is now preparing to give a joint presentation to IMO with Germany, Belgium and Romania on the NAVDAT system and will propose the setting up of a dedicated working group.