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NAUTICAL PUBLICATION AND ECDIS INFORMATION

I. NAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS

1. ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions (Pilot) (Updates with NM and available as an Admiralty e-

DP)

Provide essential information to support port entry and coastal navigation for all classes of ships
at sea. Split across 76 volumes, coverage includes the world’s main commercial shipping routes
and ports.

Each volume of Sailing Directions offers:

 Information on navigational hazards, buoyage, pilotage, regulations, general notes on

countries, port facilities, seasonal currents, ice and climatic conditions. This information,
when used alongside official ADMIRALTY charts, can help to increase situational awareness
on the bridge.
 High quality diagrams and photography to help bridge-crews understand critical information
during the passage planning stage.
 Worldwide official coverage to support safe and compliant navigation within main commercial
shipping routes and ports. This coverage is split across 76 volumes for purchase flexibility.

2. ADMIRALTY List of Lights and Fog Signals (Updates with NM and available as an
Admiralty e-DP)

Provides coverage of over 85,000 light structures including lighthouses, lightships, lit floating
marks, fog signals and other lights of navigational significance.
Each volume of List of Lights and Fog Signals offers:

 Descriptions of the characteristics of lights and fog signals, together with the equivalent
foreign language light descriptions, to help bridge crews with identification.
 Tables to assist in the calculation of geographical and luminous ranges of lights
 Details for all lights listed including the international number, location and/or name,
geographical position, characteristics and intensity, elevation in metres, range in sea miles
and description of structure
 Published in 14 regional volumes (A-P) for simplicity and ease of handling.

3. ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals (Updates with NM and available as an Admiralty e-DP)

Provides information on all aspects of Maritime Radio Communications, helping bridge crews to
manage communications and comply with all reporting regulations throughout a voyage.

For clarity and convenience, this publication is split across six volumes; with contents ranging
from Maritime Radio Station listings to Maritime Safety Information Services worldwide. You can
find full details on the contents of each volume and its corresponding parts below.

1. Volume 1 (NP281) - Maritime Radio Stations (Parts 1 & 2)

Split across two publications, Volume 1includes radio details for:
 Global Maritime Communications
 Satellite Communication Services
 Coastguard Communications

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 Maritime TeleMedical Assistance Service (TMAS)

 Radio Quarantine and Pollution reports
 Anti-Piracy Contact Table

2. Volume 2 (NP282) - Radio Aids to Navigation, Differential GPS (DGPS), Legal Time,
Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position Fixing System (Parts 1 & 2)

Split across two publications, Volume 2 includes radio details for:

 Listing of VHF Radio Direction-Finding Stations
 Radar Beacons (Racons and Ramarks)
 Known operational Automatic Identification System (AIS)
 Aids to Navigation (AtoN)
 Radio beacons transmitting DGPS corrections
 International Standard and Daylight Saving Times and Dates
 International Radio Time Signal Broadcast details

3. Volume 3 (NP283) - Maritime Safety Information Services (Parts 1 & 2)

Split across two publications, Volume 3 includes radio details for:

 Maritime Weather Services
 Safety Information broadcasts
 Worldwide NAVTEX and SafetyNET information
 Submarine and Gunnery Warning details (Subfacts and Gunfacts)
 Radio-Facsimile Stations, frequencies and weather map áreas

4. Volume 4 (NP284) - Meteorological Observation Stations

This volume includes:

 All Met Observation Stations listed worldwide

5. Volume 5 (NP285) - Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

This volume includes:

 Worldwide communication requirements for distress, search and rescue
 Extracts from SOLAS and ITU Regulations
 Distress and SAR (incorporating MRCC and MRSC contacts)
 Worldwide NAVTEX and Maritime Safety Information

6. Volume 6 (NP286) - Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services and Port Operations (Parts
1-8)

Split across eight publications, Volume 6 includes radio details for:

 Detailed Pilot information, contact details and procedures

 Vessel Traffic Service information, contact details and procedures
 National and International Ship Reporting Systems
 Port information, contact details and procedures

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4. ADMIRALTY Tide Tables ATT, (Available as an Admiralty e-DP & ADMIRALTY Total Tide
ATT))

Contain easy-to-use height, timing and tidal stream information to support the planning of
departure and arrival times. Coverage includes 500 standard and 5,700 secondary ports in the
UK and Ireland, Europe, the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Each volume of Tide Tables includes:

 Daily high and low-water times and heights for standard ports, time and height differences
for secondary ports and harmonic constants for all ports where they are known
 Methods of prediction and information about the effects of meteorological conditions on
tides
 Additional information on exceptional tidal factors provided for each area
 ADMIRALTY QR codes to enable quick access to a list of all Notices to Mariners (NMs)
that affect that publication

5. ADMIRALTY Mariner’s Handbook (NP100) (Updates with NM and available as an Admiralty

e-DP)

Contains clear guidance to help mariners improve their understanding of maritime navigation,
sea and ice conditions, meteorology and regulations. A highly valued publication, NP100 is used
as a ‘core’ text by many leading maritime training academies and maritime related organisations.

The Mariner’s Handbook includes:

 Guidance to assist mariners in navigational training and active bridge procedures.
Information includes charts and their use, the communication of navigational information,
the maritime environment, restrictions to navigation and maritime pollution and
conservation.
 Simple tabular layouts to help users quickly locate essential information, with images to
aid the understanding of complex subjects
 ADMIRALTY QR codes for quick access to a list of all Notices to Mariners (NMs) that
affect the publication

6. Ocean Passages for the World (NP136) (Updates with NM and available as an Admiralty
e-DP)
Supports the planning of deep-sea voyages on most major routes, with details of weather,
currents, ice hazards and distances between major ports.

Ocean Passages for the World includes:

 Individual chapters covering each of the world’s oceans, with details of weather, climate,
winds, currents, swell, seasonal factors and ice hazards
 Coverage of the world's busiest and emerging trade routes to help bridge crew and shore
side staff with route planning and the calculation of arrival times
 Numerous route diagrams and tabulated route data to help users find information quickly,
as well as chartlets clearly demonstrating the effects of climate, wave heights and load
line zones

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II. ECDIS AND ENC REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

1. ADMIRALTY Guide to the Practical Use of ENCs (NP231) (AENP and Paper format)

A detailed reference guide designed to help bridge crew, trainers and those responsible for
risk and safety management to gain an understanding of practical ENC use. Divided into
seven chapters, content includes information on the construction of an ENC, the influence
of ECDIS display settings and how they can be optimised.

2. ADMIRALTY ENC and ECDIS Maintenance Record (NP133C)

The ADMIRALTY ENC and ECDIS Maintenance Record is a quick reference folder that is
designed to simplify the management of paper records, helping bridge crews to clearly show
inspectors and auditors that ENCs are up-to-date and maintained. Sections include ENC
update status, AIO status, withdrawn ENCs, README file review and general maintenance,
with descriptions on how to optimise available templates.

3. ADMIRALTY Guide to ENC symbols used in ECDIS (NP5012) (AENP and Paper format)

Offers detailed explanations and descriptions of both traditional and simplified forms of ENC
symbols displayed in ECDIS, ensuring bridge crews possess the knowledge needed to
navigate safely.

4. ADMIRALTY Guide to ECDIS Implementation, Policy and Procedures (NP232) (AENP

and Paper format)

Guidance on the efficient integration of ECDIS across fleets, with clear information to help
fleet managers to adopt ECDIS efficiently and ensure ECDIS implementation is fit for
purpose. Content also includes guidance on ECDIS policies and procedures to assist crews,
fleet managers and those involved in the development of detailed ECDIS operating
procedures to ensure ECDIS is adequately covered.

III. DIGITAL CHARTS

1. ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service

The ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS) is the world’s leading oficial digital maritime
chart service, with over 15,800 official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) to help bridge
crews navigate safely and efficiently whilst meeting flag and port State requirements.

Key features of AVCS include:

 100% official global maritime ENC coverage with more routes and ports than any
other competing service
 Unique ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (AIO) for additional passage planning
information.
 Weekly updates available via email, online or on CD and DVD to ensure ongoing
safety and compliance
Delivered in industry standard S-63 / S-57 formats, guaranteeing compatibility with all
ECDIS sold today – even in a mixed fleet

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2. ADMIRALTY Raster Chart Service

The ADMIRALTY Raster Chart Service (ARCS) provides raster chart coverage of
international shipping routes, main ports and harbours in a comprehensive range of scales.
Ideal for both bridge crews and shore based users, it combines the familiarity of traditional
ADMIRALTY paper charts with the precision of satellite positioning to support decision
making.

Key features of ARCS include:

 Familiar, clear and easy-to-use digital charts, helping bridge crews to understand
critical information at moments of peak workload and pressure
 Extensive coverage of international routes and ports in a comprehensive range of
scales
 Weekly ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners (NMs) updates to support safe navigation
 Compatible with a wide range of office based systems enabling cost-effective digital
charting for shore-based users

3. ADMIRALTY ECDIS Services

The ADMIRALTY ECDIS Service is an easy to manage, low administration, worldwide

solution for those who wish to navigate digitally. It offers Electronic Navigational Charts
(ENCs) found within the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS) and raster charts found
within the ADMIRALTY Raster Chart Service (ARCS) at a fixed annual price. You can find
out more about what each service offers by clicking the links below.

IV. GENERAL PUBLICATIONS AND REFERENCE GUIDES

1. How to keep your ADMIRALTY Products Up-to-Date (NP294) (AENP and Paper
format)

Clear guidance on the efficient upkeep and maintenance of official ADMIRALTY

charts and publications, whether paper or digital.

2. Cumulative list of ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners (NMs) (AENP and Paper format)

Assists bridge crews in identifying outstanding NMs and audit trails for particular
charts. This is published six-monthly in January (NP234A) and in July (NP234B).

3. IALA Maritime Buoyage System (NP735) (AENP and Paper format)

Provides information on the Cardinal and Lateral Buoyage systems, helping bridge
crews to clearly fix positions and avoid dangers. The publication also includes
diagrams and written explanations of the five types of marks: lateral, cardinal, isolated
danger, safe water and special marks.

4. Symbols and Abbreviations Used on ADMIRALTY charts (NP5011) (AENP and

Paper format)

Gives details on symbols and abbreviations used on the worldwide range of

ADMIRALTY charts, and international Chart Series Paper Charts. It also contains
information on hydrography, topography and navigational aids and services.

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5. Annual summary ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners (AENP and Paper format)

Published every January in two parts. Part one contains Annual NMs and re-prints of
all ADMIRALTY Temporary and Preliminary Notices that are in force from 1 January
(NP247(1)).

Part two lists the current editions of Sailing Directions and amendments which have
been published in the weekly editions of ADMIRALTY NMs that are in force from 1
January (NP247(1)).

6. ADMIRALTY Distance Tables (NP350 1-3)

A three part series of tables, sub-divided by region, that gives the shortest distances
between ports. The publication also includes supporting diagrams and text, with link
tables for ports not in the same or adjacent table.

7. Catalogue of ADMIRALTY Charts and Publications (NP131) (AENP and Paper

format)

A comprehensive catalogue detailing all available ADMIRALTY Maritime Data

Solutions. The catalogue is revised in December every year. An addendum is
supplied with each copy to bring the catalogue up to date with any subsequent
changes.

8. Paper chart maintenance record (NP133A)

Enables easy maintenance and cross-indexing of corrections made to ADMIRALTY

Charts, as well as a record of weekly NMs, new charts and new editions for auditing.

V. MISCELLANEOUS ASTRONOMICAL PUBLICATIONS

1. The Nautical Almanac

Contains astronomical information to support bridge crews in routine and emergency

celestial navigation, as well as the calculation of daylight hours and mandatory gyro
checks. It is carried on every ship within the Royal Navy and is at the core of celestial
navigational training courses worldwide.

The Nautical Almanac includes:

 Tabulations of the Sun, Moon, navigational planets and stars to help determine
positions at sea when using a sextant
 Times of sunrise, sunset, twilights, moonrise and moonset, phases of the Moon and
eclipses of the Sun and Moon to help bridge crews plan observations
 Interpolation and altitude correction tables, pole star tables and diagrams, and
notes for the identification of stars and planets
 Information on standard times for countries around the world
 A concise set of sight reduction tables and sight reduction forms

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2. Rapid Sight Reduction Tables for Marine

Available as a three volume set. Volume 1 is aimed at the navigator using astro-
navigation and provides the optimum selection of stars for a three-star fix. Volume 2
covers latitudes between 0° and 40°, with Volume 3 covering latitudes between 39°
and 89°.

3. NavPac and Compact Data (DP330)

NavPac software enables navigators and astronomers to compute their position at

sea. It provides methods for calculating the positions of the Sun, Moon, navigational
planets and stars over several years to a consistent precision, with the aid of a pocket
calculator, personal computer or laptop.
This software package also includes features designed to make celestial navigation
easier, including:
 Functions for calculating great circle and rhumb line tracks, and rise and set
times of celestial objects
 Tools for determining altitudes and azimuths
 'Find next phenomena' functionality
 Additional plotting options
 Night mode
This publications is used by the Royal Navy and by many navigators who require an
independent means of navigation.

4. The Astronomical Almanac (GP100)

A worldwide resource for fundamental astronomical data, the Astronomical Almanac

includes contributions from astronomical experts, as well as a wide variety of
technical and general astronomical information. This includes:
 Positions of the Sun, Moon and planets to milli-arcsecond precision
 Positions of minor planets and planetary satellites for each year
 Data relating to Earth orientation, time-scales and coordinate systems
 Sunrise/set, moonrise/set and twilight times
 Reference data for stars and stellar systems, observatories and related
astronomical constants and techniques
This is a joint publication with the United States Naval Observatory.

5. The Star Almanac (NP321)

The Star Almanac contains positions of the major and selected bright stars in a
tabular format for easy identification. It is ideal for land surveyors who use
astronomical observations to determine their geographical position or the direction to
true north.

This edition includes:

 A CD containing the almanac in PDF format and the coefficients representing
the positions of the Sun and stars in ASCII files
 Coefficients for calculating the Greenwich hour angle and declination of all the
stars published in The Star Almanac, accurate to about 1 arcsecond

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 Polynomial coefficients for calculating R (GHA Aries - UT), declination, E and

semi-diameter of the Sun are also included.

6. Astronomical Phenomena (GP200)

This publication provides a summary of astronomical events. It is published several

years in advance and contains much of Section A of the corresponding Astronomical
Almanac (GP100).

This publication includes:

 Phases of the Moon, eclipses of the Sun and Moon
 Principal occultations, planetary phenomena, elongations and magnitudes of the
planets
 Times of sunrise/set, moonrise/set
 Tabulated equations of time, the declination of the Sun and the Greenwich hour
angles of the pole stars Polaris and Sigma Octantis

VI. MISCELLANEOUS TIDAL PUBLICATIONS

1. ADMIRALTY Manual of Tides (NP120)

Contains detailed information on tidal theory and its application to the analysis and
prediction of tides and tidal streams. Contents include comprehensive explanation of
tide raising forces and their impacts on waters around the world, as well as tidal
phenomena such as Double High Water and Double Low Water.

2. ADMIRALTY Tidal Stream Atlases

Tidal Stream Atlases include detailed tidal stream direction and strength information
for key locations in North West Europe enabling accurate calculation of tidal stream
rates for a particular port when planning a voyage.
Each volume of Tidal Stream Atlases includes:
 Pictorial representations of tidal stream directions for each hour before and after
the reference port
 Information on the direction and rate of tidal streams
 Mean Neap and Spring tidal rates in tenths of a knot.

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