Competence 1: Plan and conduct a passage KUP 3: Have thorough knowledge of and ability to use nautical charts, and publications, such as sailing directions, tide tables, notices to mariners, radio navigational warnings and ships’ routing information

KUP 3: Have thorough knowledge of and ability to use nautical charts, and publications, such as sailing directions, tide tables, notices to mariners, radio navigational warnings and ships’ routing information

sheng 2 Courses

Learning objective:

The nautical publications are essential for planning routes and designing courses, ensuring safe and economical navigation. Mariners must thoroughly read and analyze these materials to develop suitable navigation plans. The learning objective of KUP 3 is to develop the knowledge of nautical charts, nautical publications.

Learning content:

1. Nautical chart

Basic understanding of how to use a nautical chart include the following aspects¹:

Depth
The depths note indicates what units are used for the depths on the chart. Charts have depths shown in feet and fathoms (1 fathom equals 6 feet) or metres and decimetres. For example, the Canadian charts will show depths in metres

Elevations note
The elevations note describes the datum used to show the elevation of structures and the clearance of bridges and overhead cables. Use this note to determine if your boat has enough clearance to travel under the overhead cables and bridges.

Scale identification
We refer to the relationship between the size of the chart and the earth as ‘natural scale’. For example, 1:15 000 means that 1 unit on the chart equals 15 000 units on the earth.

Plotting
To plot a course, use the compass rose drawn on the chart, but remember the difference between a ‘true course’ and a ‘magnetic course’ as a result of the Earth’s magnetic fields. Use a plotter to line up along your route and then read off the course.

Publication note
The publication note (publisher’s imprint) includes the date of the chart’s original publication and is placed in the centre of the lower margin of the chart.

Distance
To measure distance use a pair of dividers (like a drawing compass but with two points). Use the scale on the left or right side to convert your measurement to nautical miles (1 minute of latitude = 1 nautical mile).

More details refer to the following document³:

general information of the nautical chart Download

2. Nautical publications

2.1 Sailing directions

Sailing Directions are written directions that describe the routes to be taken by boats and ships during coastal navigation and port approaches. There are also products known as Sailing Directions, which are books written by various Hydrographic Offices throughout the world. They are known as Pilot Books, because they provide local knowledge of routes and landmarks, which would typically be provided by a local marine pilot. As such, they are used frequently by naval and government vessels, who are exempted from ‘Compulsory Pilotage’ in many ports¹.

Main content of sailing of directions: (1) The first chapter of each volume is an overall introduction to the area covered in this volume. Each volume includes the following three parts:
A— Navigation and Regulations
Content: Limits of Volume;General Cautions;Territorial Waters; Routes and Navigntional Hazards; Navigational Note; Radio Services; Swept Areas; Buoyage); Pilotage; Oii Pollution; Regulation; Coastguard; Signals; Distressand Rescue;Traffic Separation;Quarantise and Cust oms Regula- tions, etc.
B — States and Ports
Content:General Remark;History;Government;Population andInhabitants;Larguages;Products , Industries and Trace);Currency;Public Holidays;Transpurt and Communicati ons;Ports;Health);Repairs; Facilities and supplies; De-ratting, etc.
C — Natural Conditions
Content: Topegraphy of the Sea Bed; Magnetic Anomalies; Sea and Swell; Current; Change in Sea Level; Tidal Stream; Climate and Weather; Climate Table; Coversion Tables, etc.
(2) After Chapter Two, each chapter generally provides navigational information for specific coastal sections. In some volumes, Chapter Two offers an overall introduction to the sea routes included in that volume. At the beginning of each chapter, the title indicates the area described in that chapter, and the headers on each page specify the area discussed on that page. Additionally, the first line of each place name indicates the chart number of the nautical map for that area, facilitating easy reference to the corresponding chart. The main contents of the navigational instructions in each chapter include: General Remarks; Aspect; Dangers; Lights; Beacon; Buoy; Anchorages; Prohibited Anchorage; Tidal Streams; Directions; Wharf; Pier; Jetty; Tanker Berth; Landing Place; Seaplane Station; Harbour Regulations; Signals; Strom Signals; Traffic Signals; Port Signals, Pilots; Supplies, etc.

2.2 Notices to mariners

A notice to mariners advises mariners of important matters affecting navigational safety, including new hydrographic information, changes in channels and aids to navigation, and other important data².

Over 60 countries which produce nautical charts also produce a notice to mariners. About one third of these are weekly, another third are bi-monthly or monthly, and the rest irregularly issued according to need.For example, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office issues weekly updates.

Example: Admiralty notices to mariners weekly edition 32 refer to “Application” section.

2.3 Admiralty list of radio signals

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)

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

Radar Beacons (Racons and Ramarks). Listing of VHF Radio Direction-Finding Stations. 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.

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 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). Worldwide NAVTEX and Maritime Safety Information.

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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