Navigation of shipping ports is a hazardous and complex process.
A worthy information source is vital for safe port entry.
This information can take many forms, including port entry guide books and PDF documents from the Port Authority.
PDF documents released by Port Authorities are a very good source of information and can be found on the port's website if available.
Shipmasters should ensure that it is up to date if utilised, as is true with any other navigational resource.
Accessing information in this way can be problematic though with language differences and web sites that can be difficult to navigate and track down the required information.
A set of guide to port entry books will provide you with an extensive mine of information on almost all major international shipping ports.
A set of these books will often be compiled of 4 volumes and may be updated with a new edition every 2 years or so.
The guide will include port data and port plans.
Port data will typically comprise of name, country location, approach and berthing information, cargo handling abilities, vessel services, general information including emergency services and tidal ranges, regulatory and legal information and sometimes reports referred to as Actual Conditions Experienced (ACE).
ACE reports can be extremely valuable as they comprise of first hand experience of other seafarers.
ACE reports are always verified by the local port authority for authenticity.
Port plans include port location and country maps, port approaches, berth diagrams and locations, berth equipment, for example cranes and Shipmasters plans.
Modern publications tend to include all of the information on a companion CD for electronic access.
A ships atlas will typically include latitude and longitude co-ordinates for ports as well as distance tables.
Other navigational data includes weather hazards, river and canal systems and international loadline zones (ship loading regulations).
Transportation routes to ports may also be covered, including rail, air and road links.
This again usually comes with a CD for electronic access.
Specialist maps come with a variety of differing themes and tend to be Global in scope.
Environmental themes include ocean currents, MARPOL zones, Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA's) and wind patterns.
Additional themes include time zones, political zones and piracy incidents.
An emerging service is an online guide to port entry that can be accessed over the internet.
Port conditions are amended on a daily basis offering the latest information, keeping you up-to-date.
Other data such as port disbursement information on commodities is also available.
Although an online service is the best way to access rapidly changing information you will probably still require the back up of a guide to port entry book set in case of communications failure.
A worthy information source is vital for safe port entry.
This information can take many forms, including port entry guide books and PDF documents from the Port Authority.
PDF documents released by Port Authorities are a very good source of information and can be found on the port's website if available.
Shipmasters should ensure that it is up to date if utilised, as is true with any other navigational resource.
Accessing information in this way can be problematic though with language differences and web sites that can be difficult to navigate and track down the required information.
A set of guide to port entry books will provide you with an extensive mine of information on almost all major international shipping ports.
A set of these books will often be compiled of 4 volumes and may be updated with a new edition every 2 years or so.
The guide will include port data and port plans.
Port data will typically comprise of name, country location, approach and berthing information, cargo handling abilities, vessel services, general information including emergency services and tidal ranges, regulatory and legal information and sometimes reports referred to as Actual Conditions Experienced (ACE).
ACE reports can be extremely valuable as they comprise of first hand experience of other seafarers.
ACE reports are always verified by the local port authority for authenticity.
Port plans include port location and country maps, port approaches, berth diagrams and locations, berth equipment, for example cranes and Shipmasters plans.
Modern publications tend to include all of the information on a companion CD for electronic access.
A ships atlas will typically include latitude and longitude co-ordinates for ports as well as distance tables.
Other navigational data includes weather hazards, river and canal systems and international loadline zones (ship loading regulations).
Transportation routes to ports may also be covered, including rail, air and road links.
This again usually comes with a CD for electronic access.
Specialist maps come with a variety of differing themes and tend to be Global in scope.
Environmental themes include ocean currents, MARPOL zones, Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA's) and wind patterns.
Additional themes include time zones, political zones and piracy incidents.
An emerging service is an online guide to port entry that can be accessed over the internet.
Port conditions are amended on a daily basis offering the latest information, keeping you up-to-date.
Other data such as port disbursement information on commodities is also available.
Although an online service is the best way to access rapidly changing information you will probably still require the back up of a guide to port entry book set in case of communications failure.
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