Bridge Publications

Question 1

What is NP100?

Answer 1

Mariners Handbook:

​First published by the British Admiralty service in 1967 to draw together some information about meteorgology, oceanography and seamanship in a form readily accessible to an Officer of the Watch. It contains information about:

• Tropical revolving storms, causes and avoidance
• Formation of frontal depressions in temperate latitudes
• Fog
• Ice
• Heavy weather ship handling
• IALA buouage
• Reporting dangers to navigation and hyrdrographic notes.

Question 2

What do you know about Admiralt List of Radio Signals?

Answer 2

Part of the Mandatory Bridge Publications, Five Volumes

• Volume 1 (NP281) Maritime Radio Stations (Parts 1 & 2)
• Volume 2 (NP282) Radio Aids to Navigation, Differential GPS (DGPS), Legal Time, Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position Fixing System (Parts 1 & 2)
• ​Volume 3 (NP283) Maritime Safety Information Services (Parts 1 & 2)
• Volume 4 (NP284) Meteorological Observation Stations
• Volume 5 (NP285) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• Volume 6 (NP286) Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services and Port Operations (Parts 1 - 8)

Can Randy Maidens Make Good Partners?

Question 3

What is a routing chart?

Answer 3

Admiralty Routing Charts

These are published for all major oceans for each month of the year. The advantage of using a routing chart is that the intended route can be superimposed on to the routing chart to see very easily the weather and oceanographic conditions prevailing. The charts display ‘average’ conditions for the time of year. Wind is presented in the form of ‘wind roses’ which give a graphical representation of the strength and frequency, currents, sea temperature thermobars, fog and ice frequency along with the tracks of tropical revolving storms all assist in passage planning.

Question 4

What are Sailing Directions?

Answer 4

• *Admiralty Sailing Directions**
• These provide detailed information of coastal passages, advice on entering port, navigation marks available, often with drawings and photographs to assist in identification. The books draw attention to 18 particular hazards, shipping density, local magnetic anomalies, facilities in harbours etc.*

Question 5

What is NP294?

Answer 5

NP294“How To Keep Your Admiralty Products Up-To-Date “

Question 6

What is the purpose of the “International Code of Signals”?

Answer 6

The purpose of the International Code of SIgnals is to provide ways and means of communication in situations related essentially to safey of navigation and persons especially when language difficulties arise. In the preparation of the Code, account was taken of the fact that wide application of radiotelephony and radiotelegraphy can provide simple and effective means of communication in plain language whenever language difficulties do not exist.