Decision No. 53/2005/QĐ-BGTVT on maritime signals

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

Regarding maritime signals

 

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

 

Pursuant to the Maritime Code of Vietnam dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to Decree No. 34/2003/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Science and Technology Department and the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration,

 

DECISION:

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Decision stipulates on maritime signals, investment in construction and management of operation of maritime signals in coastal waters and territorial seas of Vietnam.

2. This Decision applies to organizations, individuals, Vietnamese and foreign vessels operating in coastal waters and territorial seas of Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Decision, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Vessels include sea vessels, military vessels, public service vessels, fishing vessels, inland waterway vessels and seaplanes.

2. Maritime notice is a document containing information provided to seafarers for the purpose of ensuring maritime safety.

3. Maritime signal is equipment or structures established to guide seafarers in navigation and determine the position of vessels.

4. Lighthouses are maritime signals constructed at fixed positions along the coast, in coastal waters and territorial seas of Vietnam.

5. Beacons are maritime signals established at fixed positions to indicate navigational channels, warn of dangerous obstructions, shoals or indicate a specific location.

6. Range lights are maritime signals consisting of at least two separate beacons forming a fixed line of sight.

7. Light sector is a maritime signal emitting light signals with different characteristics and colors within a defined range of illumination.

8. Radar target (Racon) is a maritime signal for receiving and transmitting radio signals on the frequency bands of marine radars.

9. Automatic Identification System (AIS) maritime signal station is a station installed to transmit information about a maritime signal. AIS is an automatic identification system transmitting information between stations, operating on Very High Frequency (VHF) bands.

10. Flashing light is a light in which the total time of being lit in a cycle is shorter than the total time of being dark, and all flashes have equal duration.

11. Steady flashing light is a flashing light in which all periods of being lit and being dark are equal.

12. Long flashing light is a flashing light in which the duration of each flash is not less than 2.0 seconds.

13. Rapid flashing light is a flashing light in which the flashes are repeated at a frequency of from 50 times to under 80 times per minute.

14. Very rapid flashing light is a flashing light in which the flashes are repeated at a frequency of from 80 times to under 160 times per minute.

15. Single flashing light is a flashing light in which a single flash is repeated regularly at a frequency of less than 50 times per minute.

16. Group flashing light is a flashing light emitted in groups with a defined cycle.

17. Mixed group flashing light is a group flashing light combining different groups of flashes with a defined cycle.

Article 3. Direction of Navigational Channels

1. For navigational channels leading from the sea into ports, the right side is the starboard side of the channel, and the left side is the port side of the channel.

2. For navigational channels at sea, the direction is determined as follows:

a) In the direction from north to south, the right side is the starboard side of the channel, and the left side is the port side of the channel;

b) In the direction from east to west, the right side is the starboard side of the channel, and the left side is the port side of the channel;

c) In other cases, the direction of navigational channels shall be decided by the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

Article 4. The controlled side of maritime signals

1. In the direction of the maritime channel, the signal on the right controls the right side of the channel, and the signal on the left controls the left side of the channel.

2. Geographically:

a) The North controls from 315^° to 045^°;

b) The East controls from 045^° to 135^°;

c) The South controls from 135^° to 225^°;

d) The West controls from 225^° to 315^°.

Chapter II

MARITIME SIGNALS

Section 1

CLASSIFICATION OF MARITIME SIGNALS

Article 5. Classification of maritime signals

Maritime signals include the following types:

1. Visual signals provide information through images during the day and light at night. Visual signals include lighthouses, beacons, leading lights, lateral signals, turning signals, range signals, isolated danger signals, safe water signals, special purpose signals, newly discovered dangerous obstacle signals;

2. Radio signals provide information through radio signals. Radio signals include Racons, Automatic Identification System (AIS) maritime signals, and other types of radio signals;

3. Sound signals provide information through sound signals. Sound signals include fog signals and other types of sound signals.

Section 2

VISUAL SIGNALS

Article 6. Lighthouses

1. Lighthouses must meet the following basic requirements:

a) The location of the lighthouse must facilitate navigation and position determination for seafarers;

b) The color, shape, and size of the lighthouse must ensure easy recognition by the naked eye or by marine equipment;

c) The height of the lighthouse is measured from the "zero chart datum" water level;

d) The light characteristics of the lighthouse must be clear and easily distinguishable from the light of other signals or sources of light around it. Within a 70-nautical-mile radius, the light characteristics of lighthouses must not overlap. Light characteristics used for lighthouses include white light, single flash, group flashing, or mixed group flashing;

e) The effective range of the lighthouse's light is from 10 nautical miles to 25 nautical miles with atmospheric optical transmission coefficient T = 0.74.

2. On lighthouses, radio signals and sound signals may be installed in combination.

Article 7. Beacons

1. Beacons must meet the following requirements:

a) The color of the beacon must ensure easy recognition and not cause confusion with other signals around it;

b) The height of the beacon is measured from the "zero chart datum" water level;

c) The light characteristics of the beacon when equipped with a lamp must be clear and easily distinguishable from the light of other signals or sources of light around it;

d) The effective range of the beacon's light is less than 10 nautical miles with atmospheric optical transmission coefficient T = 0.74.

2. When the beacon is used to signal dangerous obstacles, shoals, or a specific position (called an independent beacon), the light characteristics used for the beacon are white light, single flash, group flashing, or mixed group flashing. If the independent beacon is equipped with multi-colored directional lamps, white light indicates the safe area, green light indicates the right boundary of the safe area, red light indicates the left boundary of the safe area or the area with dangerous obstacles.

3. When the beacon serves as a two-sided channel signal or a turning signal, the light characteristics are specified in Articles 9 and 10 of this Decision.

Article 8. Range Lights

1. Range lights have the following functions:

a) Indicate the channel axis;

b) Indicate the deepest part of a maritime route;

c) Indicate the maritime channel when there is no indication on both sides of the channel or when the indications on both sides of the channel do not meet the requirements for accuracy;

d) Indicate a safe direction of entry into a port or river mouth;

đ) Indicate two-way traffic separation;

2. Range lights must satisfy the following requirements:

a) The height of the lights in a range must be such that the vertical angle from the observer's eye at any point within the effective range of the range lights to the highest point of the front light and rear light during the day or to the center of the lamp at night must be within the range of 3' to 15';

b) When equipped with lamps, the lights in a range must have the same light characteristics and flash synchronously. The light characteristic used for range lights is white light, single flash or group flash, mixed group flash.

Article 9. Indication on Both Sides of the Channel

1. Indication on the right side of the channel:

a) Position: Placed on the right side of the channel;

b) Function: Indicate the limit of the channel on the right side, vessels are allowed to navigate on the left side of the indication;

c) Shape: Conical, tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Green color;

đ) Top mark: A green conical top mark, apex pointing upwards;

e) Number: Odd numbers (1 - 3 - 5...) in white color, increasing sequentially in the direction of the channel;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: Green light, single flash with a cycle of 2.5 seconds or 3.0 seconds, 4.0 seconds.

2. Indication on the left side of the channel:

a) Position: Placed on the left side of the channel;

b) Function: Indicate the limit of the channel on the left side, vessels are allowed to navigate on the right side of the indication;

c) Shape: Cylindrical, tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Red color;

đ) Top mark: A red cylindrical top mark;

e) Number: Even numbers (2 - 4 - 6...) in white color, increasing sequentially in the direction of the channel;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: Red light, single flash with a cycle of 2.5 seconds or 3.0 seconds, 4.0 seconds.

Article 10. Indication of Channel Change Direction

1. Indication of the main channel direction turning right:

a) Position: Placed on the left side of the channel;

b) Function: Indicate the main channel direction turning right;

c) Shape: Cylindrical, tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Red with a horizontal band of green color in the middle, the height equal to one-third of the visible height of the indication;

đ) Top mark: A red cylindrical top mark;

e) Number: Even numbers (2 - 4 - 6...) in white color, increasing sequentially in the direction of the channel;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: Red light, group flash 2, cycle 5.0 seconds or 6.0 seconds, 10.0 seconds, 12.0 seconds. + 2. Indication of the main channel direction turning left:

b) Function: Indicate the main channel direction turning left;

a) Position: Placed on the right side of the channel;

d) Color: Green with a horizontal band of red color in the middle, the height equal to one-third of the visible height of the indication;

c) Shape: Conical, tower-shaped or columnar;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: Green light, group flash 2 có chiều cao bằng một phần ba chiều cao phần nổi của báo hiệu;

đ) Top mark: A green conical top mark, apex pointing upwards;

e) Number: Odd numbers (1 - 3 - 5...) in white color, increasing sequentially in the direction of the channel;

g) Đặc tính ánh sáng khi được lắp đặt: đèn: Ánh sáng màu xanh lục, chớp thành nhóm hai + 2. Indication of the main channel direction turning left:

Article 11. Bearing Indications

1. Safe bearing indication to the North:

a) Position: Placed in the northern area requiring control;

b) Function: Indicate safe bearing to the North, vessels are allowed to navigate north of the indication;

c) Shape: Tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Upper half black, lower half yellow;

đ) Top mark: Two black conical top marks placed consecutively vertically, apexes pointing upwards;

e) Number: Selected according to the characteristics of the area or the letter "N" in white on a black background;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: White light, very rapid single flash with a cycle of 0.5 seconds or rapid single flash with a cycle of 1.0 second.

2. Safe bearing indication to the East:

a) Position: Placed in the eastern area requiring control;

b) Function: Indicate safe bearing to the East, vessels are allowed to navigate east of the indication;

c) Shape: Tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Black with a horizontal band of yellow color in the middle, the height equal to one-third of the visible height of the indication;

đ) Top mark: Two black conical top marks placed consecutively vertically, bases of the cones connected;

e) Number: Selected according to the characteristics of the area or the letter "E" in red on a yellow background;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: White light, very rapid group flash 3 with a cycle of 5.0 seconds or rapid group flash 3 with a cycle of 10.0 seconds.

3. Safe bearing indication to the South:

a) Position: Placed in the southern area requiring control;

b) Function: Indicate safe bearing to the South, vessels are allowed to navigate south of the indication;

c) Shape: Tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Upper half yellow, lower half black;

đ) Top mark: Two black conical top marks placed consecutively vertically, apexes pointing downwards;

e) Number: Selected according to the characteristics of the area or the letter "S" in red on a yellow background;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: White light, very rapid group flash 6 with a long flash with a cycle of 10.0 seconds or rapid group flash 6 with a long flash with a cycle of 15.0 seconds.

4. Safe bearing indication to the West:

a) Position: Placed in the western area requiring control;

b) Function: Indicate safe bearing to the West, vessels are allowed to navigate west of the indication;

c) Shape: Tower-shaped or columnar;

d) Color: Yellow with a horizontal band of black color in the middle, the height equal to one-third of the visible height of the indication;

đ) Top mark: Two black conical top marks placed consecutively vertically, apexes of the cones connected;

e) Number: Selected according to the characteristics of the area or the letter "W" in white on a black background;

g) Light characteristic when equipped with a lamp: White light, very rapid group flash 9 with a cycle of 10.0 seconds or rapid group flash 9 with a cycle of 15.0 seconds.

Article 12. Warning Signals for Isolated Obstacles

1. Location: Placed at dangerous locations requiring control.

2. Function: To warn of isolated obstacles, vessels may navigate around the location of the signal.

3. Shape: Tower or pole shape.

4. Color: Black with one or more horizontal red stripes.

5. Top mark: Two black spheres placed consecutively in a vertical direction.

6. Number: Selected based on the characteristics of the area and white in color.

7. Light characteristics when equipped with a light: White light flashing in groups of two cycles every 5.0 seconds.

Article 13. Warning Signals for Safe Waters

1. Location: Placed at the beginning of the channel or maritime axis line.

2. Function: To warn of safe waters, vessels may navigate around the location of the signal.

3. Shape: Sphere, tower, or pole shape.

4. Color: Vertical stripes of alternating white and red colors.

5. Top mark: One red sphere, applicable only to signals in tower or pole shapes.

6. Number: In sequential order (0 - 1 - 2...), black in color. 7. Light characteristics when equipped with a light: White light flashing evenly, long flash single cycle every 10.0 seconds or flashing according to Morse code letter "A" cycle every 6.0 seconds.

Article 14. Special Purpose Warning Signals

Functions:

1. a) To warn of traffic separation zones where placing signals on both sides of the channel may cause confusion;

b) To warn of areas for geological drilling, oil and gas extraction;

c) To warn of fishing and aquaculture areas;

d) To warn of construction sites;

đ) To warn of areas with submarine cables or pipelines;

e) To warn of military exercise areas;

g) To warn of areas with ocean data collection systems;

h) To warn of recreational and tourism areas.

2. Shape: Cone or tower, pole shape.

3. Color: Yellow.

4. Top mark: A yellow "X".

5. Number: Selected based on the characteristics of the area and red in color.

6. Light characteristics when equipped with a light: Yellow light flashing differently from the lights specified for maritime signals in Articles 11, 12, and 13 of this Decision.

Article 15. Warning Signals for Newly Discovered Dangerous Obstacles

When warning of newly discovered dangerous obstacles such as sandbanks, submerged rocks, sunken ships, and other obstacles not recorded in navigational documents, signals should be placed on both sides of the channel with rapid or very rapid flashing characteristics or bearing signals. If the obstacle poses a high level of danger, an additional signal may be placed. The supplementary signal must be identical to the signal it pairs with. This supplementary signal can be removed once information about the newly discovered dangerous obstacle has been reported as prescribed.

1. 2. At newly discovered dangerous obstacles, a Racon with a Morse code response signal of "D" may be installed. The total length of the Morse code "D" signal displayed on the ship's radar screen corresponds to 1 nautical mile.

Article 16. Characteristics of Visual Signal Lights

1. Single Flashing Light:

a) Flashing period from 2.0 seconds to 15.0 seconds;

b) Dark time between two flashes must not be less than three times the duration of a single flash.

2. Group Flashing Light:

a) Flashing period from 2.0 seconds to 20.0 seconds for group flashing light of 2; up to 30.0 seconds for group flashing light of 3 or more;

b) Dark time between flashes within a group is equal and shorter than the dark time between groups;

c) Dark time within a group must not be less than the duration of a single flash;

d) Dark time between groups must not be less than three times the dark time within a group;

đ) For group flashing light of 2, the total bright and dark time within a group must not be less than 1.0 second;

e) For group flashing light of 3 or more, the total bright and dark time within a group must not be less than 2.0 seconds;

g) Group flashing light used for lighthouse, beacon, and range light includes group flashing light of 2, 3, 4, and 5.

3. Mixed Group Flashing Light has a maximum flashing period not exceeding 30.0 seconds. Mixed group flashing light used for lighthouse, beacon, and range light includes group flashing light of 2

and group flashing light of 3 + 1 RADIO SIGNALS + 1.

Section 3

BÁO HIỆU VÔ TUYẾN ĐIỆN

Article 17. Marine Vessel Automatic Identification System (AIS) Signals

1. Marine vessel AIS signals have the following functions:

a) Identifying marine signals on the AIS screen, ship radar, or other marine radar stations when connected to AIS;

b) Monitoring and remotely controlling the operation of marine signals;

c) Signaling maritime channels, water areas, traffic separation schemes;

d) Signaling marine structures;

đ) Providing data on weather, tides, and other hydro-meteorological characteristics;

2. Classification of marine vessel AIS signals:

Marine vessel AIS signals include the following types:

a) Real marine vessel AIS signals placed on marine signals and transmitting information about those marine signals;

b) Fake marine vessel AIS signals placed outside marine signals and transmitting information about those marine signals;

c) Virtual marine vessel AIS signals used to transmit information about non-existent marine signals;

3. Information transmitted by marine vessel AIS signals:

a) Information about marine signals including the type of marine signal, name of the marine signal, position of the marine signal, accuracy of the marine signal's position, deviation indication of floating marine signals, size of the marine signal, other parameters, and technical condition of the marine signal;

b) Information related to maritime safety;

c) Information on meteorological, hydrographic conditions, and other features of the vicinity of the marine signal;

d) Monitoring information on marine signals;

4. The operating time of marine vessel AIS signals is 24 hours/day.

Article 18. Radar Beacons (Racon)

1. Radar beacons have the following functions:

a) Coastal warning signals, entry port signals;

b) Dangerous obstacle warning signals;

c) Marine radio communication interference warning signals;

d) Important point warning signals on maritime channels;

đ) Warning signals for difficult-to-detect areas at sea by ship radar;

e) Underwater channel warning signals under bridges;

g) Marine structure warning signals;

2. Identification code of radar beacons:

a) The identification code of radar beacons is set according to the Morse code format, including the entire length of the radar beacon's response signal;

b) The identification code of radar beacons must ensure easy recognition, starting with a dash (-). The identification codes of radar beacons are specified in Appendix II of this Decision;

c) The Morse code letter "D" is a special identification code of radar beacons used to warn of newly discovered dangerous obstacles or marine structures not marked on nautical charts. The total length of the Morse code "D" signal displayed on the ship's radar screen is equivalent to 1 nautical mile;

d) When using radar beacons to warn of navigable clearance under bridge spans cutting across maritime channels, the Morse code letter "T" warns of clearance on the right side, and the Morse code letter "B" warns of clearance on the left side;

3. Signal transmission cycle of radar beacons as follows:

a) 15s ON + 30s OFF = 45s;

b) 30s ON + 15s OFF = 45s;

c) 20s ON + 40s OFF = 60s;

d) 40s ON + 20s OFF = 60s;

đ) 15s ON + 45s OFF = 60s;

e) 45s ON + 15s OFF = 60s;

g) 30s ON + 30s OFF = 60s.

(ON is the signal transmission time, OFF is the signal cessation time during one operational cycle of the radar beacon, s is second);

4. The operating time of radar beacons is 24 hours/day.

Section 4

ACOUSTIC SIGNALS

Article 19. Fog Horns

1. Function: Fog horns are installed at hazardous locations for maritime navigation in areas frequently affected by dense fog reducing visibility;

2. Sound frequency: Greater than 75Hz and less than 1,575Hz;

3. Sound emission characteristic: Sound is emitted according to Morse code signals; the minimum duration of a short sound is 0.75 seconds;

4. Special sound signals:

a) The Morse code letter "U" is used to signal marine structures;

b) The Morse code letter "D" is used to signal dangerous obstacles;

5. Operating conditions: Fog horns are used when the meteorological visibility range in the area is less than or equal to 2 nautical miles.

Chapter III

MARITIME NOTICES

Article 20. Classification of Maritime Notices

Based on their purpose, Maritime Notices are classified as follows:

1. Maritime Notices concerning the operation of maritime signals:

a) Maritime Notice regarding the establishment of new maritime signals: After visual, radio, and sound signals have been established, they must be published in a Maritime Notice detailing the location, function, and operational characteristics of those signals according to the model specified in Appendix III of this Decision;

b) Maritime Notice regarding changes to the operational characteristics of maritime signals: When the operational characteristics of maritime signals change from those previously announced, a Maritime Notice must be published detailing those changes according to the model specified in Appendix IV of this Decision;

c) Maritime Notice regarding the temporary suspension of operations of maritime signals: When maritime signals can no longer operate according to their previously announced characteristics, a Maritime Notice must be published regarding the temporary suspension of those signals according to the model specified in Appendix V of this Decision;

d) Maritime Notice regarding the resumption of operations of maritime signals: After repairs to maritime signals have been completed, a Maritime Notice must be published regarding the resumption of operations of those signals according to the model specified in Appendix VI of this Decision;

đ) Maritime Notice regarding the termination of operations of maritime signals: After maritime signals cease to be effective and are removed, a Maritime Notice must be published regarding the termination of operations of those signals according to the model specified in Appendix VII of this Decision.

2. Maritime Notices concerning the depth of shipping channels, port water areas, anchorage areas, turning basins, and other water areas according to the model specified in Appendices VIII and IX of this Decision.

3. Maritime Notices concerning newly discovered dangerous obstructions: When there is a maritime accident causing a ship to sink or when dangerous obstructions that pose a threat to maritime safety are discovered, a Maritime Notice must be published regarding those obstructions according to the model specified in Appendix X of this Decision.

4. Maritime Notices concerning construction zones at sea, restricted or prohibited maritime activity zones, military exercise zones, dumping zones, anchoring prohibition zones, and other necessary zones according to the model specified in Appendix XI of this Decision.

Article 21. Content and Requirements for Maritime Notices

1. The content of Maritime Notices must be clear, concise, easy to understand, and fully and accurately reflect the information to be provided.

2. Requirements for Maritime Notices:

a) Positions in Maritime Notices are taken from the national geographic coordinate system VN-2000 of Vietnam, simultaneously converted to nautical chart coordinates and WGS-84 system. Accuracy to 1/10 second.

b) Depths in Maritime Notices are the depths of the shallowest point in the area to be notified, measured in meters from the zero level of the nautical chart. Accuracy to 1/10 meter.

c) Place names in Maritime Notices are taken from place names recorded on nautical charts or in other published maritime documents. In cases where place names are not recorded in these documents, the commonly used local name should be used.

d) Maritime Notices must be promptly published in writing and simultaneously broadcast through the Vietnam Coastal Radio Station network according to the prescribed time. Maritime Notices stipulated in Clause 1, 2, and 4 of Article 20 of this Decision must be broadcast at least twice a day and continuously for three consecutive days. Maritime Notices stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 20 of this Decision must be broadcast four times a day until a new Maritime Notice replaces it.

đ) The language used in Maritime Notices is Vietnamese. When broadcast through the Vietnam Coastal Radio Station network, both Vietnamese and English must be used.

Article 22. Authority to Publish Marine Notices

1. The Vietnam Maritime Administration shall be responsible for organizing the publication of Marine Notices. The company ensuring maritime safety shall carry out the publication of Marine Notices.

2. Information in the Marine Notice shall be valid from the time of its publication and shall cease to be valid when replaced by another Marine Notice containing the same information.

3. When discovering errors in the content of the Marine Notice, the company ensuring maritime safety must promptly correct and republish the Marine Notice.

Article 23. Provision of Information on Marine Notices

1. The subjects specified in Article 1 of this Decision have the right to request the provision of Marine Notices.

2. Organizations and individuals operating in coastal waters and territorial seas of Vietnam shall have the obligation to provide timely and accurate information to the company ensuring maritime safety if they discover the following:

a) Deviations in the position or operational characteristics of maritime aids to navigation from the content of the published Marine Notice,

b) Newly discovered obstructions not yet announced in the Marine Notice or marked on nautical charts;

c) Other information related to maritime safety.

Chapter IV

MANAGEMENT OF MARITIME AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Article 24. Investment in Construction of Maritime Aids to Navigation

1. The Vietnam Maritime Administration shall be responsible for organizing the development of plans for the expansion of the maritime aids to navigation system, submitting them to the Minister of Transport for approval, and implementing the plan after approval.

2. The construction of maritime aids to navigation must comply with the provisions of this Decision and other relevant laws.

3. The company ensuring maritime safety shall be responsible for:

a) Implementing the investment in the construction of maritime aids to navigation according to the plan assigned by the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

b) Temporarily installing maritime aids to navigation to ensure immediate maritime safety.

4. Organizations and individuals managing the exploitation of branch port channels, specialized channels, and using the following water areas:

a) Areas for geological exploration, oil and gas extraction;

b) Fishing and aquaculture areas;

c) Construction site areas;

d) Cable or submarine pipeline laying areas;

đ) Military training areas;

e) Oceanographic data collection system installation areas;

g) Entertainment and tourism areas, shall have the obligation to invest in the construction of maritime aids to navigation in those channels and water areas.

Article 25. Procedures for Putting Maritime Aids to Navigation into Operation

1. The project investor shall submit a dossier to the company ensuring maritime safety requesting the putting of maritime aids to navigation into operation. The dossier includes:

a) Request letter;

b) Technical design approved by the competent authority;

c) As-built drawings;

d) Acceptance handover record;

đ) Survey and obstacle clearance chart for new shipping channel maritime aids to navigation.

2. Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid dossiers, the company ensuring maritime safety shall be responsible for publishing the Marine Notice. In cases where conditions for publication are not met, it must issue a written response to the investor and clearly state the reasons.

Article 26. Management and Operation of Maritime Aids to Navigation

1. The Vietnam Maritime Administration shall be responsible for uniformly managing maritime aids to navigation throughout the country.

2. The company ensuring maritime safety shall directly manage and operate maritime aids to navigation within its area of responsibility and bear responsibility for their activities.

3. Organizations and individuals directly managing and operating maritime aids to navigation that they have invested in constructing shall bear responsibility for their activities.

Article 27. Responsibilities of Units Managing and Operating Marine Navigation Aids

1. Develop periodic plans for repairing, renovating, and upgrading marine navigation aids to be submitted to competent authorities for approval.

2. Regularly maintain and service marine navigation aids to ensure their technical parameters always comply with published Marine Notices.

3. Promptly repair and rectify marine navigation aids when they are damaged, lost, or malfunctioning.

4. Timely prepare documentation to determine the extent of damage, loss, or malfunction of marine navigation aids and submit it to relevant agencies for investigation and handling.

5. Report in writing on the operational status of marine navigation aids to the Vietnam Maritime Administration every quarter according to the form prescribed in Appendix XIII of this Decision.

6. Notify the company responsible for maritime safety promptly if there are changes in the characteristics of marine navigation aids compared to published Marine Notices.

Article 28. Protection of Marine Navigation Aids

1. All organizations and individuals have the responsibility to protect marine navigation aids.

2. Organizations and individuals who engage in acts of destruction, theft, or damage to marine navigation aids shall be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.

3. Organizations and individuals who achieve outstanding results in protecting marine navigation aids shall be rewarded according to regulations.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 29. Effectiveness

This Decision takes effect from January 1, 2006, and replaces Decision No. 49/QĐ-VT dated January 9, 1993, issued by the Minister of Transport regarding Rules on Marine Navigation Aids in Vietnam, and Decision No. 349/QĐ-PCHH dated June 28, 1996, issued by the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration concerning Regulations on Publishing Marine Notices.

Article 30. Implementation

1. The Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration is responsible for organizing the implementation of this Decision.

2. The Head of the Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, the Heads of Departments under the Ministry, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and the Heads of related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decision./.