Trinity House has made a double response to alarm bells rung by Tricolor. The GLA ordered the Rapid Intervention Vessel THV Alert, which recently entered service and can reach any part of the Dover strait within six hours from its Harwich base. On board when responding to a wreck notification will be a new style emergency wreck marking buoy which is currently undergoing trials.

A review of the adequacy of existing buoyage following Tricolor, conducted in association with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), has resulted in IALA issuing Recommendation 0-133, which introduces the configuration of the new, purpose designed buoy for use on a trial basis.

While IALA guidelines provide recommendations for procedures to be followed for an immediate and effective response to a new danger or obstruction, the limitations of the existing IALA Maritime Buoyage System when providing initial marking of new dangers have been under discussion.

Currently, new dangers are generally marked by cardinal or lateral buoys. Recent groundings and collisions have indicated a need for a revision of how new dangers are to be marked, especially in an emergency.

The volume of traffic, background lighting and proliferation of AtoN in the area may make the deployment of cardinal or lateral marks difficult for mariners to quickly identify a new danger in the initial stages of an accident.

The new emergency wreck marking buoy is designed to provide high visual and radio/ radar recognition. It is intended that the wreck marking buoys should be maintained in position until the wreck is well known and publicised in nautical publications, it has been fully surveyed and exact details of position and minimum depth above are known, and a permanent form of marking has been carried out.

The new marker is a pillar or spar buoy coloured with equally numbered and dimensioned blue and yellow vertical stripes. It is fitted with an alternating blue and yellow flashing light with a nominal range of 4 nautical miles.

The blue and yellow 1 second flashes alternate with an interval of 0.5 seconds. If multiple buoys are deployed, the lights will be synchronised. Consideration will be given to the use of a racon Morse Code 'D' and/or AIS transponder. The top mark, if fitted, is to be a standing/ upright yellow cross.

Also newly issued is IALA Guideline 1046, which concerns a model response plan for the swift marking of new wrecks, covering all elements of an immediate, effective and well coordinated response by responsible authorities.

MJInformation No: 22231