UKHO launches ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals Volume 2

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced the launch of ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals volume 2, which has been added to the UKHO’s expanded portfolio of ADMIRALTY Digital Publications (ADP). 

ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals volume 2 (ADRS2) is the latest of the UKHO’s world-leading nautical reference guides to be made available in a digital format as part of the UKHO’s ADP portfolio, which is now available as a 3-month free trial for new customers. 

ADRS 2 provides bridge crews with a comprehensive range of compliant, digital positional and timekeeping references to help ensure that their ships are at the right place at the right time.  The key features of ADRS 2 include listings of VHF radio-direction-finding stations, a worldwide listing of radar beacons (Racons and Ramarks), a worldwide listing of known operational AIS (Automatic Identification Systems) Aids to Navigation and a worldwide listing of radio beacons transmitting DGPS corrections. 

In common with the other digital guides within ADP, the digital format of ADRS 2 offers significant advantages to bridge crews, making it far easier to search and consult compared to the paper equivalent. ADRS 2 is quick and simple to use, enabling bridge crews to make faster, better-informed decisions.  Updates are provided electronically every week and can be applied in seconds, reducing the risk of human error.  All ADP applications, including ADRS 2, can also be viewed as a single layer on top of official navigational charts using ADMIRALTY e-Navigator.

Commenting on the launch of ADRS 2, Josephine Washington, Product Manager (Publications) at the UKHO, said:

“With the launch of ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals volume 2, our expanded portfolio of digital publications is even more valuable as a voyage planning and navigational tool for ship owners, ship operators and bridge crews.  ADRS 2 contains the same important information as its popular paper equivalent, but is now even better thanks to the benefits that the digital format can offer, including speed and ease of use. 

Each of our digital publications, including ADRS 2, is SOLAS-compliant and approved by the Flag States of over three-quarters of ships trading internationally. As the latest figures from the Paris MoU nations show, deficiencies in charts and publications were a significant cause of vessel detentions in 2013.  With this in mind, the ADP portfolio not only equips vessels and their crews with the tools they need for safe and efficient navigation, they will also be better placed to demonstrate compliance with Port State Control requirements.”

The UKHO is offering a 3-month free trial of ADP, including ADRS 2, to new customers.  In addition to ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals Volume 2, the world-leading ADP portfolio also comprises ADMIRALTY Digital List of Lights, the world’s most advanced source of light and fog signals information; ADMIRALTY Digital Radio Signals Volume 6, which provides up-to-date maritime radio communications and pilot services information; and, ADMIRALTY TotalTide, the world’s most comprehensive tidal prediction programme.

Further volumes of ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals, the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative source of information on maritime radio communication, will be added to the UKHO’s digital portfolio in the coming months.

ADP are approved for use by a long list of 76 Flag States, including such leading Flag States as Greece, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama and Singapore.  As a result, 78% of the world’s vessels over 2,000 gross tonnes in size are now permitted to use ADP for voyage planning and navigation purposes instead of their paper equivalents.

The launch of ADRS 2 comes as new data is published on the detention rates of the 27 Paris MoU maritime administrations, which cover European coastal waters and the North Atlantic basin from North America to Europe.  Every year, over 18,000 inspections take place on board foreign ships in the Paris MoU ports.  Data from last year shows that of the 912 vessels detained in 2013, 11% included deficiencies with either navigational charts or publications.
Source: UKHO (United Kingdom Hydrographic Office)