What Is the Admiralty Chart Catalogue and Why Do Navigators Need It?
The Admiralty chart catalogue is the fundamental reference system for locating nautical charts covering all major ocean regions. Published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, this system organizes thousands of charts into geographic sections labeled A through W, each covering specific ocean areas and coastlines. Understanding this organizational structure impacts voyage planning efficiency and ensures SOLAS carriage requirement compliance.
Professional mariners depend on the Admiralty chart catalogue to verify that vessels maintain complete, current chart folios. Missing a required chart creates audit deficiencies during port state control inspections. Using the catalogue properly prevents compliance gaps and ensures navigators have the right charts.
How to Use the Admiralty Catalogue to Find the Right Charts for Your Route
The Admiralty chart catalogue operates on a logical geographic system. Finding charts requires three steps: identifying your ocean region, locating your coastal area, and selecting the appropriate chart scale.
Regional sections begin with general charts at small scales. Chart Catalogue AA covers planning charts at approximately 1:3,500,000 scale. Chart Catalogue A provides general ocean charts useful for identifying overall voyage routes. Detailed coastal charts follow within each region, organized by increased scale and geographic precision. A navigator sailing from the English Channel toward the North Sea identifies section B, then locates more detailed charts as the voyage progresses toward section D.
Understanding chart scale prevents navigation errors. A chart at 1:500,000 scale shows broader area but less detail than a chart at 1:100,000 scale. Coastal approach and harbor entry require larger-scale charts with greater precision. The Admiralty catalogue clearly indicates scale for every chart.
The paper chart folio catalogue provides complete guidance on chart ordering with regional breakdowns matching the Admiralty catalogue system.
Understanding Chart Catalogue NP131: Your Navigation Reference Guide
Chart Catalogue NP131 is the official Admiralty publications catalogue listing all available charts, their geographic coverage, and publication status. This document serves as the authoritative reference when disputes arise about chart currency or completeness of chart folios.
NP131 updates quarterly to reflect new chart editions and corrections issued through Notices to Mariners. Charts listed as "current" indicate the latest publication, while charts marked "superseded" have been replaced. Understanding these designations ensures navigators maintain charts reflecting current hydrographic knowledge.
The chart catalogue NP131 incorporates corrections published in weekly Notices to Mariners, which detail updates required to maintain chart accuracy. These notices include changes to navigation marks, restricted areas, and hazards. Official Admiralty publications, including the International Code of Signals and Sailing Directions, appear listed in the Admiralty publications catalogue alongside chart information.
Finding Admiralty Catalogue Charts for Specific Ocean Regions and Routes
The Admiralty catalogue divides global coverage into fifteen primary sections, each addressing specific ocean basins. Charts covering the English Channel appear in sections B and D. Mediterranean and Red Sea voyages require sections E through H. Pacific voyages involve sections I through Q, with section M addressing Australian waters, section N covering New Zealand. Caribbean and Central American routes fall within sections S and T. Antarctic operations use section W.
The Admiralty catalogue system reveals exactly which charts are required for any intended route, remaining the industry baseline for chart management globally.
Keeping Your Admiralty Publications Catalogue Updated and Compliant
Chart folios require continuous updating to remain compliant and safe. Weekly Notices to Mariners published by the UK Hydrographic Office detail amendments to every chart. SOLAS regulations require that all navigation charts maintain currency through Notice to Mariners corrections. A chart missing three months of corrections creates a port state control deficiency.
Managing chart updates efficiently requires systematic processes. Some organizations manually correct charts using published corrections lists. Others transition toward digital systems providing automatic updates. The Admiralty catalogue accommodates both approaches, supporting paper chart maintenance while enabling digital transition.
The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) remains valid for three years from publication date, requiring periodic updates. Similarly, chart folios require regular assessment to ensure current editions have replaced outdated ones.
Identifying counterfeit Admiralty products protects vessel operations and ensures compliance legitimacy. Fraudulent charts lack security features of authentic products and may contain outdated information.
Paper vs Digital Charts: Using the Admiralty Catalogue for Both Formats
The Admiralty catalogue organizes both paper and digital chart products using consistent geographic sections. Navigators transitioning from paper to digital systems can reference the familiar catalogue structure, making the shift more intuitive.
Digital Admiralty charts maintain the same geographic coverage as paper charts, with identical chart numbers. A chart numbered 1633 exists in both paper and digital formats, covering identical ocean areas. This consistency simplifies fleet transitions where some vessels operate paper charts while others use digital systems.
Paper charts provide independent navigation capability during bridge system failures. SOLAS regulations require vessels using ECDIS maintain paper chart backups.
Digital chart services offer automatic weekly updates, eliminating manual correction requirements. This automation reduces human error but requires reliable connectivity.
The Admiralty publications catalogue covers both digital and print formats.
Moving Forward with Your Chart Management Strategy
Professional chart management starts with understanding the Admiralty catalogue system. This organizational framework remains the maritime standard for chart identification and management.
American Nautical Services maintains current Admiralty chart inventory and assists with developing comprehensive chart strategies. Whether you operate paper charts, digital systems, or hybrid approaches, our team helps ensure your chart folios meet compliance requirements.
Identify missing editions or outdated charts in your current inventory. Establish systematic processes for managing Notices to Mariners corrections. Consider whether transition toward digital systems aligns with your operational requirements.
Contact us for guidance on chart portfolio management specific to your vessel types.
FAQs
Q1. How often does the Admiralty chart catalogue get updated?
The Admiralty publications catalogue updates quarterly when new chart editions are released. Weekly Notices to Mariners provide interim updates. Navigators should consult the latest catalogue version before purchasing charts.
Q2. What's the difference between chart updates and chart corrections?
Corrections address specific navigation hazards or feature changes to existing chart editions. Notices to Mariners maintain chart accuracy between publication cycles. Chart replacements occur when the entire chart is redrawn. The Admiralty catalogue distinguishes between these situations.
Q3. Which sections cover my regular operating area?
Identify your primary operating region within the catalogue's geographic sections (A through W). Most regular commercial routes concentrate within two or three regional sections. Review your vessel's flag state carriage requirements to determine exactly which charts are mandatory.
Q4. How do I verify chart currency?
Compare your current chart editions with the Admiralty publications catalogue. Charts listed as "current" match your folio. Charts showing superseded status have been replaced. Missing charts from current editions require ordering. The Paper Chart Folio Catalogue simplifies verification.
Related Resources
What Is an ECDIS: Electronic Chart Display and Information System
Understanding Chart Corrections and Notices to Mariners
SOLAS Carriage Requirements for Nautical Charts and Publications
Digital vs Paper Charts: Making the Right Choice for Your Fleet
Contact Information
American Nautical Services
Phone: +1 (954) 522-3321 WhatsApp: +1 (954) 292-4212 Email: sales@amnautical.com Address: 3311 S Andrews Ave, Suite 11, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Chart Management Resources: Paper Chart Folio Catalogue
