Since the GLAs last carried out this level of consultation in 1997, the marine safety environment has altered beyond expectation.

GPS and AIS represent great leaps in navigational technology which are already playing a central and growing role in enhancing safety at sea. However, these high tech solutions have not made more traditional aids to navigation redundant. New developments in areas such as offshore wind power, and the need to maintain fail-safe back-up systems, means that lighthouses, buoys and beacons will continue to be with us.

Duncan Glass, the Director of Navigational Requirements, has identified three key factors that have shaped the maritime community's evolving vision for marine safety. First, the advent of affordable GPS has meant the anticipated adoption of terrestrial radio navigation has failed to take off. As a result, should GPS become unavailable, 2020 The Vision has concluded that fixed and floating aids to navigation will remain central to maintaining safety of navigation as an alternative to satellites.

Second, universal availability of GPS has altered the behaviour of small craft users, giving them greater confidence to venture to sea in marginal conditions. With growing volumes of leisure traffic, more measures to enhance and augment visual aids to navigation will be required. Third, the developing offshore wind power programme ensures that buoys and beacons will remain key tools for ensuring the safety of mariners through the next 20 years.

MJ Information No: 19603