NAVIGATIONAL
WARNINGS
OBJECTIVE
Introduce and explain the purpose of navigational warnings.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THESE MESSAGES?
PROCESS QUESTIONS
1. In your own words, what is the meaning of the word warning?
2. What is the importance of giving warning to somebody or to a situation?
• Navigational warning: A broadcast
message containing urgent information
relevant to safe navigation.
Maritime safety information (MSI):
Navigational and meteorological warnings,
meteorological forecasts and other urgent
safety-related messages.
NAVTEX (NAVIGATIONAL TELEX)
• is an international automated medium
frequency direct printing service for delivery of
navigational and meteorological warnings and
forecast, as well as urgent marine safety
information to ships.
NAVTEX
• is a component of the International Maritime
Organization/International Hydrographic Organization Worldwide
Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS)
• is also a major element of the Global Maritime Distress safety System
(GMDSS). International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS) mandated certain classes of vessels must carry NAVTEX,
beginning August 1, 1993
Warnings for coastal areas may be
provided by NAVTEX or the international
SafetyNET service, when implemented in lieu
of NAVTEX.
IMAGE OF A NAVTEX RECEIVER
BROADCAST SYSTEMS
• The radio systems to be used internationally for the
promulgation of maritime safety information are
laid down in the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended.
These include:
• 1. NAVTEX: Single frequency time-shared broadcast system with automated reception and
message rejection/selection facilities. Use of NAVTEX is regulated by the IMO NAVTEX
Manual (IMO publication 951).
• .2 international (enhanced group call) SafetyNET service: Dedicated satellite
broadcast system with automated reception and message rejection/selection facilities. Use of
this service is regulated by the International SafetyNET Manual.*
• .3 HF Morse (AIA): Traditional manually operated radiotelegraphy system.
To be superseded by the automated systems in .1 and .2 above on introduction of the
GMDSS between 1992 and 1999.
BROADCAST SCHEDULING
Navigational warnings should be transmitted as soon as possible
or as dictated by the nature and timing of the event. Normally, the initial
broadcast should be made as follows:
• .1 for SafetyNET, within 30 min of receipt of original information;
• .2 for NAVTEX, at the next scheduled broadcast, unless
circumstances indicate the use of procedures for VITAL or
IMPORTANT warnings.
Navigational warnings should be repeated in scheduled
broadcasts in accordance with the guidelines promulgated in
the following documents, as appropriate:
• .1 International SafetyNET Manual.*
• .2 NAVTEX Manual (IMO publication no. IMO-951E).
BASIC OPERATION OF NAVTEX
•
SHORT QUIZ: GET ½ CROSSWISE
IDENTIFICATION
1. ___________is an international automated
medium frequency direct printing service for
delivery of navigational and meteorological
warnings and forecast, as well as urgent
marine safety information to ships.
2. ____________ Navigational and
meteorological warnings, meteorological
forecasts and other urgent safety-related
messages.
3. ________________ A broadcast
message containing urgent
information relevant to safe
navigation.
4. _____________ In what year was
NAVTEX implemented?
TRUE OR FALSE
5. Navigational warnings should be
transmitted as soon as possible or as
dictated by the nature and timing of the
event.
TRUE OR FALSE
6. Navigational warnings should not
be repeated in scheduled broadcasts
in accordance with the guidelines.
7-8 Describe the types of messages
that can be received through
maritime safety information.
9-10 What is the importance of
NAVTEX in navigation?
LET US CHECK:
LABORATORY
• Read and understand the PRACTICAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE OF A
NAVTEX RECEIVER.
Map of the 21 NAVAREAS into which all the world's
oceans are divided. Each serves to allocate responsibility for
sending Marine and Safety Information (navigational
warnings) to ships at sea, as part of the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
SAMPLE NAVTEX MESSAGE
DECK OFFICER GUIDE TO NAVTEX
• Navtex Receiver on ship is one of the most important Navigation Bridge
equipment and deck officers keeping bridge watch should be well familiar with
this tiny equipment on how to use it and to understand the type of message it
receives.
• The Full form for Navtex is Navigation Telex, which is an NBDP (Narrow Band
Direct Printing) device whose function is to receive Maritime Safety Information
(MSI) messages on board ship from the Navtex Station and print it automatically.
HOW MANY NAVAREAS ARE THERE IN
THE WORLD?
• The World is divided into 21 Nav Areas, each area has a maximum of 24 nav area
stations.
• Navtex receiver works on:
1. 518 kHz frequency – Print out in English.
2. 490 kHz Frequency – Regional Language.
3. 4209.5 kHz frequency used in Tropical region.
HOW TO READ NAVTEX MESSAGE?
• If you are clueless on how do i read navtex messages, below is the explanation.
• As you can see in the image, all messages in Navtex starts with (ZCZC) followed by four characters
(B1B2B3B4) for example UD22
1. B1 – Identifies Navtex Station. [ U ]
2. B2 – Type of messages. [ D ]
3. B3, B4 – Message Number (Two numbers in last)
and message ENDS with (NNNN) {it means the message is over)
B2 Represents the Type of Message, for instance, D means Search and Rescue info.
• A – Navigational Warnings
• B – Meteorological warnings
• C – Ice reports;
• D – Search and Rescue info;
• E – Meteorological Forecasts;
• F – Pilot service messages;
• G – Decca messages;
• H – Loran messages;
• I – Omega messages;
• J – StaNav messages;
• K – Other electronic NavAid messages;
• L – Additional Navigational Warnings;
• Z – No messages on hand.
• A, B, D, L messages – A user can’t deselect this four msgs (that’s a
requirement) as a result a receiver will always receive.
• A, B, D, L – Navtex receiver will give Audible and Visual alarm.
• A, B, L – Alarm can be silenced.
• D – Cannot be silenced.
• As well when the receiver is out of paper or paper gets jam – it will give
the alarm.
• All other msgs are optional, which a user will select based on their
navigational watchkeeping requirements.
• Range Of Navtex Receiver:
• Check Manufacturer user manual.
• usually between 250 – 400 NM
TAKE A QUIZ, TO KNOW IF YOU UNDERSTOOD NAVTEX:
(FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT)
• Take a Quiz, To Know if you understood Navtex:
• What is Navigation Telex?
• How Navtex works?
• Navtex working frequencies?
• Which messages a user cant deselect?
• Navtex Range?
