INFORMATION IN SAILING DIRECTIONS
General descriptions of the area, including climate, topography, and important landmarks.
Port descriptions, including information on available facilities, pilotage, and other local conditions.
Recommended routes and procedures for safe navigation in the area, including information on navigational hazards, currents, tides, and traffic separation schemes.
Details on navigational aids, such as buoys, beacons, and lights, including their positions, characteristics, and status.
Information on weather conditions, including typical conditions in the area and how they may impact navigation.
UPDATING SAILING DIRECTION
The NTMs provide up-to-date information on changes to nautical charts, sailing directions, and other important information such as the status of navigation aids. Mariners should regularly consult the NTMs to ensure that they have the most current information available and update their charts and sailing directions accordingly.
HOW TO KNOW WHICH SAILING DIRECTION IS TO BE USED?
To determine which Admiralty Sailing Directions (ASD) to refer to for a particular passage, you will need to identify the geographical area in which the passage will take place. ASDs are divided into volumes that cover specific regions of the world’s oceans, coasts, and ports.
The UKHO produces a comprehensive index of all ASD volumes and their corresponding geographical areas, which is available in both print and digital formats. This index provides detailed information on the coverage and scope of each ASD volume, as well as information on how to purchase or obtain the publication.
Another way to identify which Admiralty Sailing Directions (ASD) to refer to for a particular passage is to consult nautical charts for the area. Nautical charts provide a graphic representation of the area’s navigational features, such as depth contours, hazards, and navigational aids, and are an important tool for safe navigation.
Nautical charts typically include information on which ASD volume to refer to for detailed information on the area. This information is usually included in a “sailing directions” or “supplementary information” section of the chart.