Marking new dangers. Definition of New Dangers
The term “New Danger” is used to describe newly discovered hazards not yet shown in nautical documents. ‘New Dangers’ include naturally occurring obstructions such as sandbanks or rocks or man-made dangers such as wrecks.
Marking of New Dangers
‘New Dangers’ should be appropriately marked using Lateral, Cardinal, Isolated Danger marks or by using the Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy. If the Authority considers the risk to navigation to be especially high, at least one of the marks should be duplicated.
If using a Lateral lighted mark for this purpose a VQ or Q light character shall be used.
Any duplicate mark shall be identical to its partner in all respects.
In addition it may be marked by a Racon, coded Morse “D”(- ● ●)
In addition it may be marked by other electronic means, such as automatic identification system (AIS as an AtoN).
Virtual Aids to Navigation may be deployed solely or in addition to physical Aids to Navigation.
The marking of the new danger may be removed when the competent Authority is satisfied that information concerning the “New Danger” has been sufficiently promulgated or the danger otherwise resolved.
Source: IALA
