ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Southern Region Marine Department monitors and conducts inspections on aids to navigation in the waters of eastern and western Johor to prevent any untoward incident, especially at night.

       Its Traffic Management and Aids to Navigation Division senior assistant director Noranita Md Saleh said such incidents include ship collisions, ships stranded in shallow waters or lost ships.

       She said although there were no reports of such incidents this year, periodic inspections were still needed.

       “There are a total of 57 buoys in the waters of east and west Johor, 53 beacons and one lighthouse located in Bukit Segenting, Batu Pahat.

       “All the equipment serve as aids to navigation for ships, fishing boats and so on.

       “If any of the equipment malfunction, repair works will be conducted immediately, regardless of time as they cannot stop functioning for more than 48 hours,” she told reporters during an operation to monitor the aids to navigation in the waters of western Johor on Thursday night.

       The operation covered an area of some 15 nautical miles from the Southern Region Marine Department Jetty.

       Noranita added that four technicians had been assigned to monitor and check the aids to navigation and ensure that they were in good condition.

       She said buoys were used to mark entry and exit points of water areas or hazards while beacons help guide ships through shallow water areas. — Bernama