Navtex Receiver on ship is one of the most important Navigation Bridge equipment and deck officers keeping bridge watch should be well familiar with this tiny equipment on how to use it and to understand the type of message it receives.
The Full form for Navtex is Navigation Telex, which is an NBDP (Narrow Band Direct Printing) device whose function is to receive Maritime Safety Information (MSI) messages on board ship from the Navtex Station and print it automatically.
How Many NavAreas are there in the world?
The World is divided into 21 Nav Areas, each area has a maximum of 24 nav area stations.
Navtex receiver works on:
- 518 kHz frequency – Print out in English.
- 490 kHz Frequency – Regional Language.
- 4209.5 kHz frequency used in Tropical region.
How to Read Navtex Message?
If you are clueless on how do i read navtex messages, below is the explanation.
As you can see in the image, all messages in Navtex starts with (ZCZC) followed by four characters (B1B2B3B4)
for example UD22
- B1 – Identifies Navtex Station. [ U ]
- B2 – Type of messages. [ D ]
- B3, B4 – Message Number (Two numbers in last)
and message ENDS with (NNNN) {it means the message is over}
B2 Represents the Type of Message, for instance, D means Search and Rescue info.
- A – Navigational Warnings
- B – Meteorological warnings
- C – Ice reports;
- D – Search and Rescue info;
- E – Meteorological Forecasts;
- F – Pilot service messages;
- G – Decca messages;
- H – Loran messages;
- I – Omega messages;
- J – StaNav messages;
- K – Other electronic NavAid messages;
- L – Additional Navigational Warnings;
- Z – No messages on hand.
A, B, D, L messages – A user can’t deselect this four msgs (that’s a requirement) as a result a receiver will always receive.
- A, B, D, L – Navtex receiver will give Audible and Visual alarm.
- A, B, L – Alarm can be silenced.
- D – Cannot be silenced.
- As well when the receiver is out of paper or paper gets jam – it will give the alarm.
All other msgs are optional, which a user will select based on their navigational watchkeeping requirements.
Range Of Navtex Receiver:
- Check Manufacturer user manual.
- usually between 250 – 400 NM
Take a Quiz, To Know if you understood Navtex:
- What is Navigation Telex?
- How Navtex works?
- Navtex working frequencies?
- Which messages a user cant deselect?
- Navtex Range?
- From where you will get NavAreas details? (ALRS)
Will Continue this post with UPDATE.
- What all checks to be made in Navtex?
- what is the difference between NavArea and service area of navtex station?
- limitations of navtex