NAVTEX

NATIONAL NAVTEX NETWORK.

NAVTEX (Navigational telex) is an automated medium frequency direct-printing service broadcasting of navigational, meteorological warnings and forecasts, urgent marine safety information to ships. An integral part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and WWNWS (World-Wide Navigational Warning Service). The world has been divided into 21 NAVAREAs. India is under NAVAREA VIII. Broadcast Navtex messages in English at 518 kHz and in local languages at 490 KHz. Navtex transmitting station located in seven location across India and NAVTEX system is ensuring 250NM coverage from the Indian coast line. A single unique letter allocated to each transmitter.

It was developed to provide a low-cost, simple and automated means of receiving information on board ships in coastal waters.

Mandatory equipment in GMDSS:

• A VHF Radio installation capable of transmitting DSC (Digital Selective Calling) on channel 70, and radiotelephony on channels 16, 13 and 6.
• One SART (Search Rescue Transponder) if under 500 GRT, 2 SARTs if over 500 GRT or a passenger ship.
• Two portable VHF transceivers for use in survival craft if under 500 GRT, three if over 500 GRT or a passenger ship.
• NAVTEX Receiver.
• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
• An Inmarsat EGC (Enhanced Group Calling) receiver, if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of Inmarsat coverage where MSI (Maritime Safety Information) services are not provided by NAVTEX.

WWNWS NAV AREAS

NAVAREAs are the maritime geographic areas in which various governments are responsible for navigation and weather warnings. India falls in NAV Area VIII

Sea Areas in GMDSS serve the following 2 purposes:

1. Describe areas where GMDSS service is available.
2. Define what radio equipment GMDSS ship must carry

The list of NAVTEX transmitting stations.