The week of October 24 to 28, the II Edition of the Advanced Course on Design, Calculation and Dimensioning of Channels and Waterways took place, an on-site course based on the latest update of the G1078 IALA Guideline, and whose goal was to provide to AtoN technicians the knowledge and tools necessary to increase safety in maritime signalling operations.
After the parenthesis caused by the pandemic in terms of on-site training, the MSM facilities, located in La Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia), once again welcomed a group of attendees from different parts of Spain and Latin America, from both the public and private sector and a diverse professional background.
On the other hand, the MSM teaching staff was made up of Fernando Romero, founding member of MSM, optics specialist and IALA expert; Marina Baño, Department of Optics Manager; and José Andrés Fombuena, Product Manager of MSM.
The course has approached an introduction to the buoyage system, as well as more technical and specific content such as leading lights, day marks and the requirements, parameters, and planning for the buoyage of Channels and Waterways; also considering the latest updates of the IALA regulations.
The attendees showed special interest in the practical part of the course, and had the opportunity to visit the MSM facilities and watch aids to navigation equipment manufacturing processes, and equipment quality tests, as these areas are all linked to the content taught in the course.
Within the program some activities were also organized to learn about the history, culture, and gastronomy of Valencia through a guided tour of the historic centre of Valencia, as well as a dinner for both students and teachers.
The final stretch of the course included a test for evaluating the knowledge about aids to navigation by the attendees during the course, who, thanks to this training, have obtained specific preparation for channel signalling and beaconing planning.
The students finished the course, satisfied, as they had found it very useful and practical for their daily work, and they have acquired knowledge that would allow them to use more avant-garde technological means and improve the beaconing system of their local demarcations.
At MSM we are very proud to continue promoting training about AtoN so that professionals in the sector can continue to improve and modernize their maritime signalling systems for a safer navigation.
