1. KIRIBATI National Report
13th South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) Meeting
RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
25th to 27th February 2015

2. 1. Introduction
Kiribati is an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean
Kiribati is a Member State of the IMO and a State Party to SOLAS
Associate Member to SWPHC
Not yet Member to IHO 
Kiribati has an obligation to ensure that both paper charts and electronic navigational charts (ENCs) are available in accordance with the government obligations set out under Regulation 9 (hydrographic services) and Regulation 4 (navigational warnings) of Chapter V of SOLAS.
This obligation helps to ensure that all vessels operating in the world’s seas and oceans can do so safely and efficiently, thereby preventing loss of life and protecting the marine environment.
At present, there are no formal arrangements in place in Kiribati to ensure that the SOLAS obligations for hydrographic services and navigational warnings are being satisfied.
Kiribati charts are out dated and therefore, Kiribati is in need of assistance to comply.

3. 2. Responsibilities of the Marine Division
The Marine Division is under the Ministry of Communications, Transport and Tourism Development (MCTTD)
Responsibilities:
Provision, operation and maintenance of marine aids to navigation, for example buoys and beacons
Administering the certification of Seafarers - Qualification and Licensing
Coordinating SAR Services
Flag State and Port State Inspection
Advising Govt in ensuring that Maritime Conventions are being complied
Boat Passage upgrading
Marine Pollution & Accident Investigation
Ships registration – seaworthiness and trading
The Marine Department does promulgate coastal warnings and information broadcasted locally by Radio Station

4. 3. Current status on Hydrography
No Legislation in place
No Authority (Authority remains under the Marine Division MCTTD)
No Office for Hydrography Service
No Hydrographer
MSI - No formal position, but is provided by Marine Division (MSI broadcasted by Marine Guard)
Committee needs to be set up and relevant stakeholders invited.
No Facilities – lack of infrastructure

5. 4. Kiribati Nautical Charts
UKHO as PCA
total of 14 Charts covering the whole of Kiribati published by UKHO at varying scales,
Charts - published in the 1950s and 1960s from surveys with data obtained around 1943 and earlier,
only BA 731 (Gilbert Group) published in 1994

6. 5. Capacity Building Trainings Attended by Rep from Marine Division:
Attended by Rep from Marine Division:
IMO/IHO REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON BASIC HYDROGRAPHY AND HYDROGRAPHIC GOVERNANCE, 16 – 27 JUNE 2014 SUVA, FIJI
SWPHC Capacity Building IHO Maritime Safety Information Course, Wellington, New Zealand 25th - 27th August 2014 
6. SPC Hydrography Assistance - Correspondence between Marine Division and Mr Jasbir Randhawa
Mr Jens Kruger & Mr Salesh Kumar - liaising with Marine Division in regard to the hydrographic survey - i.e. identifying a priority area, logistic arrangements, etc. for conduct of field survey operations.
Survey will be around May – June 2015

7. 7. Assistance from SWPHC – Correspondence between Marine Division and Mr Jasbir Randhawa
Kiribati Technical Implementation Visit
The IHO CBSC (Capacity Building Sub Committee) Meeting held in Brest, France in May 2014 approved the 'Kiribati Technical Implementation Visit', - one of the projects submitted by the SWPHC. 
This will be a follow-up visit after the initial technical advice and assessment visit made by the IHB Director, Robert Ward and seconded by Mr Bob Wilson from the UKHO in November 2011.  
The main objective of the second visit is to assist and advise Kiribati in implementing the recommended measures contained in the 'IHO Report on the State of Hydrography and Nautical Charting of Kiribati - (Nov 2011)'.
Mr Sam Harper (International Hydrographic Projects Manager, UKHO) has been liaising with the Marine Division for this visit.

8. 8. Lights
The Betio beacon shall flash on once for 1.5 seconds every eight (8) seconds.
The Maiana beacon shall flash on twice every ten seconds with two one (1) second flashes separated by a one (1) second gap.
The Buariki beacon shall flash on once for one (1) second every twenty (12) seconds.
These lights will be white in accordance with IALA Recommendation E-200-1, Marine Signal Lights, Part 1 Colours.

10. 9. National Priorities – Way Forward
Immediate awareness within Government of IMO SOLAS obligations for the provision of Hydrographic Services & IMO Audit
Hydrography Governance, Legislation, NHCC and National focal point for the provision of Hydrographic Services
Hydrography Risk Assessment
Provision of MSI – by forwarding information on maritime changes and developments to the PCA and the regional radio navigational warnings coordinator and
Strengthening bi-lateral and regional arrangements with other national hydrographic authorities

11. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Ruoikabuti Tioon
Director of Marine
Ministry of Communications, Transport and Tourism Development /