For over 100 years, Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) has played a major role in the safety of shipping and in the development of Aids to Navigation infrastructure throughout the Gulf waters. Formerly named the Persian Gulf Lighting Service, it was established to be the responsible authority for Aids to Navigation in the region.
It is currently the Gulf region’s leading innovator in the development, fabrication, supply and maintenance of Aids to Navigation (AtoN). Operating from its main base in Bahrain and a support base in Abu Dhabi, MENAS owns and maintains an extensive network of buoys, lighthouses, racons, AIS and DGPS transmitters. It also provides essential information and advice such as the issuance of Notices to Mariners, advising on hazards to shipping and additions to navigation charts for the Gulf. Over 2,000 vessels rely upon MENAS equipment and services each month.
MENAS is the Gulf operations division of the London-based ‘International Foundation for Aids to Navigation’ (IFAN), and is the only independent Aids to Navigation authority in the world, with no country affiliation or national sponsor. It operates an ISO 9001:2015 quality-assured service, certified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance and is an associate member of International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). It is also a corporate member of the International Marine Contractor Association (IMCA) and maintains active links with various other organisations and hydrographic offices worldwide.
On Wednesday morning, IFAN’s CEO Catherine Mulvihill and Development Manager Francesca Pradelli had the pleasure of meeting with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez at the International Maritime Organization HQ in London. The meeting was a great opportunity to present to the IMO SG IFAN’s activities and #future strategic endeavors, and to initiate a conversation about potential global partnerships with the IMO, with the shared aim of enhancing safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment through Aids to Navigation.
#safetyatsea#marineenvironment#IMO#AtoN
Happy World Marine Aids to Navigation Day!
IALA works to harmonise and develop Marine Aids to Navigation worldwide and to ensure that the movements of vessels are safe, expeditious and cost-effective while protecting the environment.
This year, this message is even stronger, as IALA is celebrating the achievement of Intergovernmental status, therefore reinforcing its role in the maritime community. Happy #WATONDAY everyone! #Safety#Sustainability
It is World Marine Aids to Navigation Day on 1st July and we will be in Genoa to celebrate it with IALA (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION AND LIGHTHOUSE AUTHORITIES). More details are here.
https://lnkd.in/ei9tdBpa
Get ready to celebrate the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day on 1st July!
We would like to encourage everyone to find a photo of AtoN and to share it on social media on that day with #WATONDAY so we can all raise awareness about how important this is for the safety of navigation and protection of the environment 🌊 🐳 🛰 🛳
MENAS’s work at sea in the Gulf, providing and maintaining Aids to Navigations for use by all vessels, can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, its primary focus is protecting it employees by taking preventive measures to avoid risks that can cause accidents.
On this the 'Day of the Seafarer 2024' we take a look at 10 of the many ways MENAS increases safety for its seafarers while working at sea:
1. Provision of safety equipment in the form of life saving appliances, firefighting appliances, and fire detection equipment. All members of the operations team have essential safety training: offshore sea survivals, First Aid, Firefighting/H2S Breathing apparatus.
2. Ensuring that where equipment and machinery is used safety requirements are met and risks avoided.
3. Providing training, instruction, information, and supervision to ensure the HSE policy is effective.
4. Ensuring that staff are kept up to date with safety regulations and best practice.
5. MENAS’s employees are instructed to always wear full protective safety clothing and accessories.
6. Conducting a periodic inspection for all lifting equipment’s to ensure their safety, absence of any damages, ability to hold the large weights and to prevent its cutting while lifting the buoys or moorings which may cause accidents.
7. During an operation if weather deteriorates, causing wave heights to exceed 1.1m, or if the wind speed exceeds 17 knots (when outside of port breakwater), work is immediately postponed.
8. Emergency drills that simulate different scenarios such as fire, casualty recovery, piracy, abandonment of ship, man overboard. These are held during the voyages with assigned roles assigned in case for real situations.
9. All safety and emergency equipment on a vessel is assessed before commencing a voyage.
10. A point of contact is established with the authorities in each critical location such as oil fields and restricted areas for any emergency situations.
MENAS would like to extend its appreciate and support to all its seafarers and rest of the seafarers around globe and thank them for invaluable work they would. Please see check out our highlights video for showcasing the invaluable work they do.
Thank you to you all. #safetytipsatsea.
Tomorrow is #DayoftheSeafarer!
Seafarers, your experience is invaluable. We invite you to share your safety tips and help create safer seas for all.
#SafetyTipsAtSea
All campaign material can be downloaded here:
https://lnkd.in/d9VkMHw2
✨🌙At MENAS, we extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to our colleagues, partners, and clients celebrating Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, reminds us of the values of community, charity, and compassion. As we celebrate, let's also reflect on these values and how they guide our work in enhancing maritime safety and navigation in the region.
To all our team members, stakeholders, and the maritime community, Eid Mubarak! May this joyous occasion bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your loved ones.
#EidAlAdha#MENAS#EidMubarak#Community#MaritimeSafety#AidsToNavigation
MENAS had the pleasure of hosting a group of university students from various institutions across Bahrain, as part of their renewable energy studies. We were thrilled to introduce them to our innovative PV solar system project which is set to cover over 90% of our electrical energy needs, showcasing our dedication to a greener future.
A big thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and to our team for making this visit informative and inspiring. See full story here: https://lnkd.in/eDPGdv6b#RenewableEnergy#SolarPower#sustainability#FutureLeaders#MENAS#Education#AidsToNavigation
The latest edition of the IFAN/MENAS newsletter is out now!
Highlights include:
-Officers of the Royal Bahraini Navy toured MENAS’s HQ to learn about marine safety.
- A mission to the Pacific Islands by INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AIDS TO NAVIGATION to see how the Pacific Safety of Navigation project has improved maritime safety in the Pacific region.
- IFAN teams up with UNESCO Ocean and IALA to boost knowledge and skills to improve ocean conservation and safety at sea through ocean literacy.
- Off to Barcelona where IFAN joined the Ocean Decade Conference to hear about the United Nations’ achievement and priorities for improving ocean sustainability up to 2030.
To read about these and other stories please click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMTbR9ZRPacific Community-SPC#RoyalBahrainiNavy#OceanDecade#AidsToNavigation#MaritimeSafety#Newsletter
