The ocean is vast, but it is also vulnerable. Every vessel that takes to the water—whether a cargo ship, fishing boat, or leisure craft—relies on tools to navigate safely. Among the most important of these are Aids to Navigation (AtoNs), such as buoys, beacons, and channel markers. While they are designed to guide mariners and prevent accidents, AtoNs also play a critical role in protecting marine ecosystems.
When used effectively, these navigational aids help prevent vessel groundings on coral reefs, reduce disturbances to marine wildlife, and steer boats clear of fragile coastal habitats. They are an essential link between maritime safety and ocean conservation.
Join us for the next installment in our Navigate with Care webinar series, a free online event designed to give mariners, conservationists, and ocean advocates the tools they need to chart a safer, more sustainable course.
What to Expect
In this webinar, experts will explain how AtoNs are designed, maintained, and deployed—especially in environmentally sensitive areas. You’ll learn how these tools interact with marine protected areas, coral reefs, and coastal ecosystems, and how they can be used to keep both people and the ocean safe.
The session will also highlight real-world examples where smart use of navigational aids has reduced damage to marine habitats and improved safety at sea.
Meet the Panelists
This session brings together leading voices in navigation and marine conservation:
- Salesh Kumar, Hydrographic Surveyor, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
- Mahdi Al Mosawi, MENAS General Manager, Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) Maritime Operations Centre
- Vincent Denamur, Dean of the IALA World-Wide Academy, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
Together, they will share their expertise on the intersection of navigation and ocean stewardship, offering insights from the Pacific, the Middle East, and the global stage.
Navigate with Care: Understanding Aids to Navigation
Thursday, September 18, 2025
10:00 AM EDT / 4:00 PM CEST
Part of a Global Effort
The Navigate with Care webinar series is part of a broader campaign developed by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation in partnership with the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN). Endorsed as an official Action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the campaign aims to reduce the environmental impacts of boating and promote safe, responsible navigation worldwide.
Whether you are a professional mariner, a recreational boater, or simply someone who cares about the ocean, this webinar is for you. Join us, learn more, and take the pledge to #NavigateWithCare.
***
About IFAN:
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening global navigation capabilities. IFAN ensures safer and more efficient shipping routes while minimizing environmental risks by supporting projects focused on enhancing Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) frameworks, developing technical expertise, and providing AtoN infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, funding, and technical expertise, IFAN plays a pivotal role in securing safe, sustainable global waterways and safeguarding the world’s ocean for future generations.