Voyage Planning & ECDIS

Chapter 9 – Documents
Syllabus:( 5 Hrs.)
A systematic knowledge and use of the contents of the Sailing Directions, List of light and fog
signals, List of radio signals, Ocean passage of the world, Notices to mariners, M & MS Notices
and Guide to port entry.

1. Sailing Directions Sailing Directions.mp4

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ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions (Pilots) 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. ​

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Navigation dangers and Hazards.
Traffic in the area and operations.
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Content of Admiralty Sailing Directions is as follows:
Information about Navigation and local regulations.

 Charts covering the area.

Various aids to Navigation in the covered area.
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 Information about Pilotage.
 Radio facilities available in the area.
 Meaning of signals.
 Distress and Rescue details (SAR).
 Local Maritime Conditions.
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 Currents, Tidal Streams and flow.

 Sea level and tides information.
 Information about sea and swell.
 Characteristics of Sea Water.
 Local Climate and weather.
 Various recommended routes from one point to other within the limit
of Admiralty Sailing Direction.
 Distance Tables.
 Any additional Local Regulations.
It is important for Passage Planning as it provides accurate local information,
helpful for Navigation as well as weather which is normally not provided on
charts. Also, it contains detailed pictures of the approaches and jetty which is
very helpful for the Navigator, especially if the vessel is calling that port for the
 first time. All the information mentioned above can be advantageously used by
the navigator to plan an efficient and safe route near the coast.

2. List of Light and Fog Signals ALL.mp4

ADMIRALTY List of Lights and Fog Signals provides coverage of over 85,000 light
structures including lighthouses, lightships, lit floating marks, fog signals and other
lights of navigational significance.
Volumes are named Alphabetically from 'A' to 'Q', except 'I' covering the entire
world. These are numbered as NP 74 to NP 88

Each volume of List of Lights and Fog Signals offers:

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 Descriptions of the characteristics of lights and fog signals, together with the
equivalent foreign language light descriptions, to help bridge crews with
identification
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lights
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Tables to assist in the calculation of geographical and luminous ranges of

Details for all lights listed including the international number, location and/or
name, geographical position, characteristics and intensity, elevation in metres,
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range in sea miles and description of structure
 Published in 14 regional volumes (A-P) for simplicity and ease of handling
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3. List of Radio Signals
ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals provides information on all aspects of Maritime
Radio Communications, helping bridge crews to manage communications and
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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.
Full details on the contents of each volume and its corresponding parts is listed
below.

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

Split across two publications, Volume 1 includes radio details for:

  Global Maritime Communications
 Satellite Communication Services
 Coastguard Communications
 Maritime TeleMedical Assistance Service (TMAS)
 Radio Quarantine and Pollution reports
 Anti-Piracy Contact Table

Volume 2 (NP282) - Radio Aids to Navigation, Differential GPS

(DGPS), Legal Time, Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position
Fixing System (Parts 1 & 2)

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Split across two publications, Volume 2 includes radio details for:
Listing of VHF Radio Direction-Finding Stations
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Radar Beacons (Racons and Ramarks)
Known operational Automatic Identification System (AIS)
Aids to Navigation (AtoN)
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 Radio beacons transmitting DGPS corrections
International Standard and Daylight Saving Times and Dates
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 International Radio Time Signal Broadcast details

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

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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 areas
Volume 4 (NP284) - Meteorological Observation Stations
This volume includes:
 All Met Observation Stations listed worldwide

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)

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 Worldwide NAVTEX and Maritime Safety Information

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

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

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 Detailed Pilot information, contact details and procedures
Vessel Traffic Service information, contact details and procedures
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 National and International Ship Reporting Systems

 Port information, contact details and procedures
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4. Ocean passage for the world

Ocean Passages for the World (NP136), published by the UKHO, 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 inc​​ludes:
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.
Guides a mariner to follow the best passage in a particular month
through a particular stretch.

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It is divided mainly into 2 parts:
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PART 1: Power Vessels, Chapter 1 to 8. Periodic data of Wind,
Weather, Swell, current, Ice routes
PART 2: Sailing Vessels, Chapter 9 To 11.

Additionally, it contains Various tables which includes:-

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- Beaufort wind scale table (table 'A)
- Seasonal Wind/Monsoon table of all oceans (table 'B')
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- Tropical storm table (table 'C')
- Standard Time zone chart of the world (table 'D')
- Standard Time zone chart of Europe and North Africa(table 'E')
- Gazetteer - Approx. positions of Ports
- Index of general subjects
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- Index of routes
- Limits of Volumes of Admiralty Sailing Directions

Weekly Notices To Mariners Section IV contains the corrections for

Ocean Passages for the World (NP136).
 5. Notices to mariners
Three different types of Notices to Mariners are published by the UKHO.
Indian Notices are published by Indian Authorities to maintain the Indian
Charts. These are

a. Annual Summary of ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners (NP247)

To supplement Weekly NMs, the UKHO produces an Annual Summary of Notices

to Mariners (NP247).

The paper version of the Annual Summary of Notices to Mariners is published

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annually in January.

These are subdivided in 3 sections

Section 1: Annual Statutory Notices to Mariners Numbers 1-26

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Section 2: A summary of Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners still
in force at the start of the year
Section 3: A Cumulative Summary of Amendments to ADMIRALTY Sailing
Directions.
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Section – 1 deals with information relevant to shipping. Some of these are:
ADMIRALTY Tide Tables 2020 — General Information
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Suppliers of ADMIRALTY Charts and Publications
Safety of British merchant ships in periods of peace, tension or conflict
Firing Practice and Exercise Areas
Mine-Laying and Mine Countermeasures Exercises - Waters around the
British Isles
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National Claims to Maritime Jurisdiction

Global Navigational Satellite System Positions, Horizontal Datums and
Position Shifts
Mandatory Expanded Inspections - EU Directive 2009/16/EC
Canadian Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations
US Navigation Safety Regulations Relating to Navigation, Charts and
Publications
High Speed Craft
Marine Environmental High Risk Areas

Section – 2 deals with Temporary and preliminary notices and is a

comprehensive ready reckoner at the start of the year of all valid T&P
notices. It provides:
A Geographical index
A Numerical index of notices in
force Description of T&P notices
in force

Section – 3 includes Amendments to Sailing Directions.

It provides:
 An Index of amendments in force on date
 All the valid amendments are published.
 Corrections for NP 100', NP 136, NP 131 are also stated.

b. Cumulative List of Admiralty Notice to Mariners

The Cumulative List of ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners (NP234

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A/B) can help you to identify outstanding NMs and audit trails for a
particular chart or charts. The list is published annually, with Part A in
January and Part B in July.
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The Cumulative List of ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners is available
without subscription from ADMIRALTY Chart Agents.
These are published every six months – in January & July. The first
page states the period over which the Notices to Mariners have been
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covered. It is usually the last two years in the January edition and Two
and a half years in the July edition.
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If no notice issued in the last two years, then most recent notice
from the previous years is stated.
It lists out the Chart Number / Chart Edition and the Notices to
Mariners affecting that chart. (The weekly edition number which
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contained that notice is provided in brackets.) Temporary and

preliminary notices are not included in this list.

Section – IB, same as the weekly edition of Notices to mariners

includes list of latest editions of hydrographic publications.
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c. Admiralty Notices to Mariners Weekly Edition

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These Notices are issued weekly by the UKHO. They are dated for the
Thursday of the week they are issued. Every edition includes notices up to
preceding Saturday. The hard copy is available with or without tracings. Also
available in a digital format.

An asterix (*) adjacent to the number of the notice indicates that the notice is
based on original information.
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The Weekly editions have 6 sections.

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Section I - Publications List

Admiralty charts and publications now published and available
Admiralty charts and publications to be published ------ date ----
Admiralty charts and publications permanently withdrawn
The charts which will be subsequently withdrawn.
The revised publication date for chart/pub getting delayed for publication with
reason.
Special Announcements and Errata are occasionally included at the end of this
Section.
Section IA - Temporary and Preliminary (T&P) Notices
A list of T&P Notices in force (along with a list of those cancelled during the
previous month), is included in the Weekly NM each month (see below).
Section IB - Current Nautical Publications
Information about Publications including the current edition numbers is included
in the Weekly NM at the end of March, June, September and December.

Section II - Updates to Standard Nautical Charts

This section starts with three Indexes namely-

- Geographical Index,
- Index of notices and chart folios and
- Index of Charts affected.

The updates to Standard Navigation charts are available as Small corrections

– Every Notice includes:

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.1 Notice number
.2 Notice heading
.3 Chart number
.4 Previous update (last correction for the chart)
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.5 Details of the present correction.

Temporary & Preliminary Notices printed on one side of the paper follow.
.1 Notice Number – followed by (P) or (T)
.2 Year Notice Issued
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.3 Notice Heading
.4 Details of the correction
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.5 Charts affected

Blocks and notes accompanying notices in Section II are placed towards the end
of the section.
T&P Notices. These are indicated by (T) or (P) after the notice number and are
placed at the end of Section II. They are printed on one side of the paper in order
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that they may be cut up and filed. To assist in filing, the year is indicated after the
notice number and an in-force list are published monthly. Information from these
notices is not included on charts before issue; charts should be updated in pencil
on receipt. Associated diagrams are reproduced with Blocks at the end of Section
II.
Original Information. A star (*) adjacent to the number of a notice indicates that
the notice is based on original information.

Section III – Reprints of Navigational Warnings

NAVAREA I Navigational Warnings in force at the specified time quoted in the
header are reprinted in Section III. It is recommended that this reprint should be
kept in a file or book, followed by subsequent weekly reprints. Only the most
convenient ADMIRALTY Chart is quoted. The full text of all Warnings in force is
included in Weeks 1, 13, 26 and 39 each year.

Section IV – Updates to Sailing Directions

Updates to all Sailing Directions are given in Section IV of ADMIRALTY Notices to
Mariners. Those in force at the end of the year are reprinted in NP247(2) Annual
Summary of ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners Part 2. A list of updates in force is
published in Section IV of the Weekly Edition quarterly.

Section V - Updates to the List of Lights

Updates to all the List of Lights are given in Section V and may be published in an
earlier edition than the chart-updating notice. The entire entry for each light
updated will be printed (including minor changes) and an asterisk (*) will denote
which column contains a change. In the case of a new light, or where a new

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sequence is added below the main light, an asterisk (*) will appear under all
columns. All Section V entries are intended to be cut out and pasted into the
appropriate volume. It is emphasised that the List of Lights is the primary source

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of information on lights and that many alterations, especially those of a
temporary but operational nature, are promulgated only as updates to the List
of Lights. Light positions should be regarded as approximate and are intended to
indicate the relative positions of lights only. Charts should be consulted for a
more authoritative position. When a light is affected by a separate chart-updating
notice, its Light List number is always included in the relevant text contained in
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Section II. The range of a light is normally the nominal range, except when the
responsible authority quotes luminous or geographical range - see special
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remarks for ranges used by each country.

Section VI – Updates to the Radio Signals

Updates to all the Radio Signals are given in Section VI. The updates in Section
VI should be cut out and pasted into the appropriate volumes.
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Section VII – Updates to Miscellaneous ADMIRALTY Nautical Publications

Section VIII – Updates to ADMIRALTY Digital Services

6. M & MS Notices

Marine Notices of three types are published by the MCA (UK) on its website
under “Ships and Cargoes/Legislation and Guidance/Marine (M) Notices”.
There are three different types of marine notices:
 Merchant shipping notice (MSN) - are used to convey mandatory
information that must be complied with under UK legislation. These
MSNs relate to Statutory Instruments and contain the technical detail
of such regulations.

 Marine guidance notice (MGN) - give significant advice and guidance

relating to the improvement of the safety of shipping and of life at sea,
and to prevent or minimise pollution from shipping.

 Marine information notice (MIN) - are intended for a more limited

audience like training establishments or equipment manufacturers,

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or timetables for marine examinations. These notices come with
expiry dates.

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MS NOTICES are similar notices which are issued by the Govt. of India

7. Guide to port entry.

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These are published by “Shipping Guides Ltd.”, London. These are
published every 18-24 months, depending on corrections / amendments /
reports received from authority’s / ship master etc. It is also available as an
e-publication / CD version. This is not an Admiralty publication. Corrections
are not received for this publication.
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An in-depth report of the major ports of the world are made available in
this publication. This information is distributed over four volumes: -
Vol I – Describes the ports in countries from Albania to Kuwait (A-
K) Vol II - Describes the ports in countries from Latvia to
Yugoslavia (L-Y) Vol III – Contains plans of select ports of Vol I
Vol IV – Contains plans of select ports of Vol II

A general description of the country with respect to its economy, climate,

mandatory reporting systems, navigational / safety regulations, precautions,
load line zones boundary, etc. are stated at the start.

Type of information usually found in the Guide to Port Entry for a particular port
are:
 Co-ordinates of the port
 Port limits including co-ordinates of same which is used for 'arrived
ship'
 Approaches - Max. draft permissible, Approach conditions (if any)
 Documents required for entry - by Customs, by Immigration, by
Port health, by Agents, by Harbour master
 Pilotage – Position of Pilot boarding Ground, VHF channels,
Signals, Any special info.
 Anchorages - Boundaries, Names, Purpose (bunker, health,
sanitary, waiting for pilot, etc.)
 Restrictions – (if any)
 Max. size of Vessel - Length, Beam, Draft, DWT etc. permitted

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 Health - Pratique message procedures & format
 VHF - Channels kept by port, pilots, harbor Master, Tugs
 RADAR / VTS - Areas covered, communication details, service
provided
Tugs -
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Available berth details, depth alongside, cargo handled
Cranes or cargo handling facilities
Stevedores - name, time of working, arrival notices required
Bridges - minimum clearance required
Medical - facilities available, distance to hospital,
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 Density - water density with local monthly variations.
 Fresh water - availability, rate, cost, mode of supply.
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 Fuel - grades available, mode of supply,
 Consuls - names of countries at port or nearby.
 Repairs - availability of workshop, type of job which can be handled.
 Dry dock - availability with max. size permitted, facilities
 Surveyors - Class surveyors, P&I, cargo inspectors: availability
 Gangway / Deck watchmen - services compulsory or recommended.
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 Piracy / Stowaways - any incident, precautions advised

 Hatches - Stevedores or Crew opens/closes covers
 Custom allowances - quantity of alcohol / cigarettes permitted for
each person
 Repatriation - facilities available, formalities required
 Time - local time kept, summer time, if any.
 Holidays - dates of local holidays
 Police / Ambulance / Fire - local telephone numbers
 Emergency Co-ordination Centre, Coast Guard, SAR – details
 Banks
 Ship supply services
 Shore leave - permitted or not, time limit
 Garbage / Waste Oil Disposal - availability, charges, port requirement.
 Seaman's club - availability, bus service, facility.
 Regulations - any particular or unusual regulation (if any)
 Delays - normally expected for berthing, loading, bunkering, etc.
 Weather - local conditions, developments,
 Details of expected depth increase, berth construction, etc.
 Name, Address, Contacts of local port authority
 General - Ship Master's Report (actual conditions experienced)

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