Marine Safety Net

One of the areas examined in an Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) is the Nautical Publications. To pass the inspection exam, a UPV must carry certain mandatory marine publications on board, which are essential for safety and navigation. Below are the required publications:

• Nautical Charts: Current and appropriate nautical charts for the area of operation are mandatory. These must be kept up to date to reflect any changes in navigation conditions. Electronic versions of nautical charts are permitted if they meet the requirements specified in NVIC 01-16.

• Coast Pilot: Provides detailed information about ports, coastal features, currents, and other important data for safe navigation.

• Light List: Contains information about navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses, which are critical for night or low visibility navigation.

• Tide Tables: Provides information about tides, essential for planning navigation in waters where tides affect access to ports and waterways.

• Current Tables: Provide information about currents, which is critical for navigation planning and safe vessel handling.

• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS): International regulations governing maritime traffic and preventing collisions, mandatory for any vessel navigating in international waters.

It’s important to note that you do not need to purchase the complete publication or the entire book. These publications can be downloaded from the internet, and it is sufficient to download the information for the area where you will be operating the vessel.

In conclusion, carrying these nautical publications on board is vital to ensure compliance with inspection requirements and to promote safe and efficient navigation. By maintaining updated and accurate resources, vessel operators can better anticipate and respond to changing maritime conditions, thereby enhancing the overall safety of their operations.