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Ans2: All non-exempted vessels which enter or operate permanently within the Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone of The Sultanate of Oman, and in the approaches to Omani ports and harbours are bound legally to pay Navdues to AMNAS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans2: Non-commercial Government vessels; warships; all sailing vessels; ships of less than 500 NRT; tugs and support vessels of less than 500 GRT and vessels operating on behalf of AMNAS are exempt from the payment of Navdues. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans3:With effect from 1 November 2008: for vessels over 5000 NRT Rial Omani (RO) 1.320 per 100 NRT with minimum of; Rial Omani (RO) 60.000. RO 1.320 per 100 NRT per single transit voyage. Trading vessels of over 500 NRT which are based permanently in Oman; RO 0.600 per 100 NRT per month (minimum RO 30.000 per month). Tugs and service craft over 500 GRT which operate permanently in Omani waters; RO 120.000 plus GRT x RO 0.600 annually. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans4: Navdues are levied to provide a reliable and coherent network of Aids to Navigation along the coast of the Sultanate of Oman. This network is of vital benefit to all mariners. Failure to pay Navdues places this network of navigational aids and their users at risk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans5: The rate of Navdues had not changed since its implementation by Royal Decree in late 2003. The rates had been held steady despite the number of Aids to Navigation that AMNAS maintains having risen from 62 in January 2004 to 123 in November 2008. The Government of the Sultanate of Oman reviewed the rate in mid 2008 and took into account the increase in the number of Aids to Navigation required to provide a fully IMO/IALA compliant AtoN service as well as the staff levels required to operate and maintain such a service to full international standards. AMNAS staff levels have risen from 3 in 2004 to 10 in 2008. Given the geographical size of Oman, this small work force is the absolute minimum required to provide the service. The Government directed increase is well below the level of inflation in Oman for the period January 2004 – October 2008 and as such provides demonstrable value for money. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans6: GPS coverage is susceptible to degradation and interference and cannot be taken for granted. The highly respected UK based Trinity House said in 2005 that “over-reliance on satellite navigation systems is a concern, and Lighthouse Authorities must continue to ensure that Aids to Navigation are in place should satellite systems fail or fall victim to attack”. AMNAS is committed to the safety of mariners in all circumstances. Its enhanced service, including new lighthouses with value-added features, is and will be, of benefit to all mariners for the foreseeable future. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans7: A certificate for each single transit voyage will be issued by AMNAS following a request in the approved format from a vessels’ appointed Shipping Agent. Each Shipping Agent will be invoiced once per fortnight with the total of Navdues Certificates issued during that period. A Navdues Certificate is valid for each voyage, regardless of the number of Omani ports of call per voyage. It is the responsibility of a vessel’s appointed agent to obtain a Navdues Certificate before the vessel arrives at its first port of call. A vessel will not be cleared for sailing until a valid Navdues certificate can be presented to the Port Authorities. Failure to obtain a Navdues Certificate is a breach of the Laws of The Sultanate of Oman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans8: Mariners should report irregularities to the nearest Coast Radio Station in accordance with IMO SOLAS regulations. Anyone detecting an irregularity to an A to N within Omani Waters should also call the AMNAS 24 hour response line:GSM +968- 99884394. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans9: AMNAS is committed to attracting Omani nationals with the right qualities and technical qualifications to become Lighting Engineers or part-time A to N observers based in ports throughout The Sultanate. Contact The Administration and Finance Manager by letter, enclosing a short CV in both Arabic and English. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans10: A vessel that remain in Omanis Exclusive Economic Zone for a period of more than one calendar month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ans11: A single voyage commences when a vessel enters Oman’s Exclusive Economic Zone bound for a port or anchorage in Oman. It ends when vessel leaves EEZ. A vessel is charged only for the fist port of call in any single voyage. The navdues certificate issued for the first port of call is valid for any other port calls made in Oman during that voyage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
