The following learning materials are part of Handbook in correspondence - Correspondence and

Communications in Shipping (V. Petkova, S. Toncheva, Steno, Varna, 2010, ISBN 978-954-449-492-6)
and are designed for developing reading skills - acquiring basic practical knowledge and the Maritime
terms used in NAVTEX messages.

NAVTEX MESSAGES
NAVTEX (NAVigational TelEX) system started in 1980. It is an international telex system and is
one of the most important elements of the GMDSS. The system makes it possible for ships
sailing in coastal waters to receive safety messages at distances up to 400 nautical miles
offshore. MSI messages can be transmitted by the Navtex system as well.
There are 16 Navareas worldwide. The Navtex stations are geographically separated (A-Z).
Within the different Navareas, every Navtex station has its own identification character (ID). This
character is always a part of the preamble to the message. The dedicated transmitting frequency
of the Navtex system is 518 kHz.
The Navtex coordinator in each Navarea decides which MSI messages the system is to broadcast.
Certain essential classes of safety information, such as navigational warnings, meteorological
warnings and SAR information are non-rejectable to ensure that ships using NAVTEX always
receive the most important information.
Building up a Navtex Message. A four-character technical code (B1, B2, B3, B4) appears in the
preamble of each message.
The technical code B1 shows the identity of each station in a region (Navarea), allowing the
navigator to select only broadcasting station(s) serving the region of interest.
The B2 character identifies the different classes of messages, so that the user may reject those
which he does not require.
NAVTEX Subject Indicator characters:
A - Navigational warnings (1)
B - Meteorological warnings (1)
C - Ice reports
D - Search and rescue information (1)
E - Meteorological forecasts
F - Pilot service messages
G - Decca messages
H - Loran messages

I - Omega messages
J - Satnav messages
K - Other electronic navaid messages (2)
L - Navigational warnings - additional to letter A (3)
V, W, X, Y - Special services - trial allocations for special purposes e.g. Navtex transmissions in a
national language
Z - No message on hand
Note:

(1) Cannot be rejected by the receiver

(2) Messages concerning radio-navigation services
(3) Should not be rejected by the receiver

The B3 and B4 characters of the technical code, number the messages from 01 to 99, with the
number maintained separately for each broadcast station B1 and subject class B2. The
numbering starts over again using the numbers of expired messages after number 99 has been
assigned.
Categories B3 and B4's use of "00" (zero) acts to ensure that, regardless of broadcasting station
(B1), the message will be printed out by all receivers within range of the transmitting station, e.g.
type D messages (SAR - information) will always be numbered "00" (zero).
Example: Navtex preamble and message format:
Start of message:
ZCZC

TA 43

(T - Identification character coast station Ostende; A - Type of message - Nav. Warning; 43 Serial number)
281618 UTC MAR 09
Message Text
NNNN - End of message group
Note: The date, time (UTC) and month are given as follows:
Date Hour Minutes

Month Year (optional)

The International Navtex system uses the English language and is built up in the same way all
over the world. To achieve complete coverage of ocean areas outside Navtex areas, MSI
transmissions are used.
Subject Matter of Warnings:
1.

Outages of lights, fog signals or buoys affecting main shipping lanes.

2.

The presence of dangerous wrecks in or near main shipping lanes and, if relevant, their
marking.

3.

Establishment of major new aids to navigation or significant changes to existing ones,

when such establishment or change may mislead shipping.

4.

The presence of large unwieldy tows in congested waters.

5.

Drifting mines.

6.

Areas where search and rescue (SAR) or antipollution operations are being carried out (for
avoidance of such areas).

7.

Ships and air craft on or over the open sea reported in distress, seriously overdue or
missing.

8.

The presence of newly discovered rocks, shoals, reefs or wrecks likely to constitute a
danger to shipping and, if relevant, their marking.

9.

Unexpected alteration or suspension of established routes.

10.

Cable or pipe-laying activities, the towing of large, submerged objects for research or
geophysical exploration, the employment of manned or unmanned submersibles, or other
underwater operation constituting a potential danger in or near shipping lanes.

11.

Establishment of off-shore structures in or near shipping lanes.

12.

Significant malfunctioning of radio-navigation services.

13.

Information concerning special operations which might affect the safety of shipping
sometimes over wide areas, e.g. naval exercises, missile firings, space missions, nuclear
tests, etc.

This is the test - sentence containing all the letters of the English Alphabet:
"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog."
A) Navigational Warnings:
SA19

Navarea one 081. Dover strait. Chart BA 1892.

Ridens southeast BUOY 50-43N 01-19E replaced by east cardinal Lightbuoy
NNNN
1. 1/ Port ... approaching channel dredging thru 31 Dec 2/ Cancel this
message 01 Jan.
2. 1/... port approaches thru 30 Nov special light buoy laid in/till 30 Nov. 2/ Cancel this message
1 Dec.
3. Approaching channel shallowing on portside between meridians 30-29-03 E 30-29-29 E. The
same section vessels should navigate in 80 metres zone northward of axis.
4. ...approaching canal no 4 light buoy unlit/reported unlit.
5. ... approaching channel A) dredging in vicinity of No 17 and No 18 buoys B) No 18 light buoy
shifted 355 dagrees 300 metres.
6. Kerchanskiy proliv special buoy laid in 45-10.3 N 36-26.6 E.
7. New entrance channel with 40 metre width and 4.5 metre least depth opened is marked by
buoys on port side A 45-21-15 N 36-37-24 E
on starboard C 45-21-17 N 36-37-26 E.
8. Tamanskiy zaliv kanal withdrawn due to depths lowering to 0.6 metres
light buoy removed/moved to 47-02N 37-30E.
9. Mooring buoy reported adrift in 44-31 N 35-45 E - 71250 UTC.
10. Port approaches thru 30 nov special light buoy laid in (posn.).
11. No 18 light buoy in (posn.) shifted.
12. Drifting platform in (posn.). Buoy missing.
13. ... canal navigation dangerous particularly between 1000 and 1500 metre from ... front
leading beacon.
14. SW of point... white flashing light established on drilling platform in (posn.).
15. Anchorage No 366 south light buoys marking bank laid in (posn.).
16. Since 25 October until 5 December 1998 undersea cable works between...

17. Submerged red buoy at anchor reported in (posn.).

18. Eleven red buoys marking underwater pipeline reported laid in (posn.).
19. A/ Dredging in vicinity of No 17 and No 18 buoys.
B/ Drilling works and survey in area between (posn.) one mile berth requested.
20. From 01 to 30 Oct geographical survey by Poisk towing 2500 metre cable in area bounded by
(posn.) two miles berth requested.
21. From 02 to 31 Oct except Saturdays Sundays and holidays 0300 to 2000 UTC rocket
antiaircraft and gunnery firing exercises in area bounded by (posns) dangerous to
navigation.
22. 1/ Dredging of port entrance in progress.
2/ Entrance lights unlit.
23. Submarine exercises in areas bound by (posns) dangerous to navigation.
24. Westward of point T pipelaying operations in area between (posn.).
B) Meteorological Warnings:
1. Visibility good. Cancelling warning No...
2. Jan 27 expected southwesterly 12 to 14 m/s continue at night 28 Jan.
3. Expected local fog visibility 200 to 500 m continue during night and morning 1 Feb. Next three
hours easterly 12 to 17 m/s seas 1.5 to 2.0 m continuing during daytime.
4. Gale warning Wednesday 25th april 1015 utc viking
Southerly gale force 8 increasing severe gale force 9 veering westerly soon.
Fair isle severe gale force 9 backing southerly imminent.
5. Mariupol radio corrective weather forecast from 151800 to 161800 utc dec sea of Azov port
Mariupol south westerly 12 to 17 m/s.
C) Ice Reports:
1/ Mariupol radio ice report at 150600 great amount fast ice 8 to 10 cm port of eisk great
amount small floes and cakes. Canal of temryuk ice free.
2/ Taganrog little amount brash ice.
D) Search and Rescue Information:

1. SOS - f/v neptunia in danger due to fire in position saronicos gulf near ... islet. Ships sailing
above mentioned area kindly requested to render assistance reporting to rcc/Piraeus as
appropriate.
E) Meteorological Forecasts:
1. WX Odessa weather forecast period from 311900 UTC to 011800 UTC wind northeasterly 6/11
ms in the second half of night in midday in gusts 14 ms mist at visibility km partly seas
13.20 dm by day 7/13 dm air termperature 1/6 by day 3/8 plus.
2. Mariupol radio weather summary at 260000 low 999 mbs centered 58 N 37 E moving east 5
m/s weather forecast from 260600 valid 12 hours night local fog visibility good in fog 200
to 500 m
3. Area... northerly 6 to 11 m/s in gusts seas 0.7 to 1.2 m morning local fog visibility good in fog
200 to 500 m.
4. Wind variable 1-5 ms at night and in morning visibility 500-1000 m partly seas 7-13 dm air
temperature: 7-12 by day 14-19.
5. Varna radio weather forecast valid 12 hrs.
warning nil =
synoptic situation at 0300 UTC over the balkan peninsula a trough/a ridge/a low
north west = area wind southwest 2-4 temporary to 5 sea 0-2 vis 5-10 in the morning
isolated fog mainly sunny.
6. Gentle to moderate breeze 3 to 4 from ne or variable/occasionally good visibility fair.
7. Fresh breeze 5 becoming variable gentle breeze 3 swell 2 metres.
F) Pilot Service messages:
Pilotage temporarily suspended in vicinity of lightbuoy No 9.
L) Navarea Warnings:
Navarea one 15 rigs south and west coasts of the british isles.
Note: rigs are protected by a 500 metre safety zone.
Z) No message on hand:
031050 utc Jun 9
no message on hand

NNNN
NOTE
technology/ technique
We use the word 'technology' to mean 'scientific and industrial manufacturing processes and
skills': e.g. The Inmarsat-A system is based on analog technology.
A 'technique' is a method of doing something: e.g. The basic technique used for sending a
message is called store-and-forward messaging.
EXERCISES
I. Read the texts:
Deep Sea Pilots
Vessels bound to or from ports in NW Europe, including the British Isles and the Baltic, may
require deep sea pilots. Such pilots should be requested through the various pilotage agencies
based in the British Isles and the Netherlands, or through the Deep Sea Pilot Station at
Dunkerque. Since the pilots may have to travel considerable distances to the port of
embarkation, as much notice as possible should be given. Deep sea pilots normally board by
prior arrangement off Brixham. In addition they board at Holyhead or Fishguard, Folkestone, Le
Harvem Boulogne, Calais and Dunkerque.
English Channel
Ship Movement Report System (MAREP)
DESCRIPTION: This is a voluntary system which applies to the following vessels: loaded oil and
chemical tankers and gas carriers of 1600 GRT and over; any vessel "not under command" or at
anchor in a separation scheme or inshore traffic zone; any vessel "restricted in her ability to
manoeuvre"; and any vessel with defective navigational aids.
PROCEDURE: In addition to reporting, vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on
Ch 16 and, if possible, on Ch 10 or 11 as appropriate.
REPORTING: Vessels should report to the appropriate shore station as follows:
(1) Quessant and (2) Casquets: 10 n miles before entering the separation schemes or their
associated inshore traffic zones
(2) Dover Strait:
(a) Eastward-bound: 2 n miles before crossing a line from Royal Sovereign Lt Tr to the French
coast, through Bassurelle Lt V;

(b) Southwestward-bound: 2 n miles before crossing a line from North Foreland to the Belgian
coast, through Fall Lt V;
(c) On departure from a port within the inshore traffic zones.
Vessels with no defects should make a position report (POSREP); vessels with defects i.e. not
under command, restricted in their ability to manoeuvre or with defective navigational aids
should make a defect report (DEFREP).
In addition all defective vessels in the area should send a DEFREP to one of the designated shore
stations.
If necessary, a subsequent amendment report (CHANGEREP) should be made. All reports should
be made in English and the following details should be given, as appropriate, prefixed MAREP
followed by POSREP, DEFREP or CHANGEREP as applicable:
ALFA

Vessels name and call sign

BRAVO

Day of month and time (GMT)

CHARLIE

Name of departure port (if in shore traffic zone) or position (if given in
latitude and longitude)

DELTA

Position (if given as bearing and distance from a known geographical point)

ECHO

True course

FOXTROT

Speed (in knots and tenths)

INDIA

Destination

NOVEMBER

VHF channels guarded

PAPA

Maximum draught (in metres and centimetres) if it will constrain vessels

movement

QUEBEC

Type and quantity of cargo

ROMEO

Details of special restrictions e.g. not under command, if applicable

SIERRA

Details of defects or damage, if applicable

INFORMATION BROADCASTS: Information is broadcast, following an announcement on Ch 16.

Broadcasts comprise navigational and traffic information of immediate interest and information
on movements of vessels.
Urgent information will be broadcast as necessary at any time.

RADAR SURVEILLANCE AND ASSISTANCE: All designated shore stations carry out radar
surveillance of their associated traffic separation schemes and inshore traffic zones. Vessels in
the Dover Strait may obtain their bearing and distance from the Radar Station on request to
Dover Coastguard.
II. Make up a DEFREP, following the procedure given in Exercise I.