The slides, written out
AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale.
Slide 1 · SAFE NAVIGATION SERIES
SAFE NAVIGATION SERIES
SAFE NAVIGATION
PUBLICATIONS & IAMSAR MANUAL
Essential SOLAS Chapter V Publications
Every Deck Officer Should Know
SOLAS CHAPTER V
NAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS
IAMSAR MANUAL
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
| |
Slide 2 · PAGE
PAGE
2
ESSENTIAL PUBLICATIONS
FOR SAFE NAVIGATION
Publications to be carried as applicable to the intended voyage
Admiralty
Sailing Directions
(Pilot Books)
Port information,
navigational hazards,
buoyage, climate,
diagrams and
sailing instructions.
Admiralty
List of Lights &
Fog Signals
All lights, fog signals,
lit buoys and racons.
Admiralty
List of Radio Signals
Communications,
GMDSS, NAVTEX,
SafetyNET, VTS,
pilot services and
ship reporting.
Admiralty
Tide Tables
Tide times and
heights for standard
and secondary ports.
Admiralty
Tidal Stream Atlases
Tidal streams and
current information
for coastal and
approach areas.
Nautical Almanac
Sun, moon, stars,
twilight, eclipses and
essentials for
celestial navigation.
Admiralty
Mariners' Handbook
General guidance on
chart use, tides,
currents, ice, weather
and navigation.
Admiralty
Notices to Mariners
Weekly updates on
danger to navigation,
new aids, corrections
and amendments.
Annual Summary of
Notices to Mariners
Cumulative record of all
Notices to Mariners
issued during the year.
Operating &
Maintenance Manuals
Manufacturer's manuals
for all navigational
equipment onboard.
Publications must be adequate for the intended voyage,
kept up to date and readily accessible on board.
| |
Slide 3 · IAMSAR MANUAL
IAMSAR MANUAL
EXPLAINED
IAMSAR – International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual
IMO
+
ICAO
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION
IAMSAR
THREE VOLUMES
VOLUME I
VOLUME II
VOLUME III
ORGANIZATION & MANAGEMENT
MISSION COORDINATION
MOBILE FACILITIES
Policies, structures and arrangements for national search and rescue services.
Planning, coordination and conduct of search and rescue operations.
Information for masters and crews of ships and aircraft involved in SAR operations.
CARRIED ON BOARD
VOLUME III IS USED FOR:
DISTRESS RESPONSE
SEARCH PATTERNS
ON-SCENE COORDINATION (OSC)
SITREP (Situation Report)
SAR MESSAGE FORMATS (SAM, etc.)
CREW DRILLS & BRIEFINGS
Before departure, reviewing relevant SAR procedures is considered good seamanship and company best practice.
| |
Slide 4 · PAGE
PAGE
-4-
CHIEF MATE ORAL
EXAMINATION TIPS
Quick Revision Guide for Safe Navigation & IAMSAR
SOLAS REFERENCES
REMEMBER
SOLAS V
REGULATION 19
Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems, equipment and nautical publications.
All publications must be applicable to the intended voyage and kept up to date.
REGULATION 21
Carriage requirements for the IAMSAR Manual Volume III.
Notices to Mariners are the primary source of updates to charts and publications.
REGULATION 27
Nautical charts and nautical publications to be adequate and up to date.
IAMSAR Vol III
IAMSAR Manual Volume III must be carried on board (where applicable).
REGULATION 34
Safe navigation and voyage planning.
International Code of Signals (ICS) must be carried as required by SOLAS.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Safe navigation depends not only on carrying the correct publications, but also on ensuring they are applicable, updated, and effectively used during voyage planning and emergencies.
| |
Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.
Spotted a mistake?
