American Nautical Services: For Easy To Use Raster Charts

One of the basic tools for marine navigation, nautical charts represent the configuration of the shoreline and seafloor. These charts comprise navigational information like water depth, height of the land, navigational hazards, human-made structures, etc. Nautical charts are based on hydrographic surveys and can be availed in paper form. However, mariners make use of raster navigational charts or electronic navigational charts. Where electronic navigational charts represent navigational features in the vector form, raster charts comprise an accurate digital image that has pixels, displayed on an electronic screen. If you are a mariner who wants an easy to use raster chart, you can find it online at American Nautical Services.

Known for its nautical charts, books, maritime compliance, and services, American Nautical Services is one place you can get accurate raster charts at budget-friendly rates. Raster charts from this leading name are wide-ranging and cover global commercial shipping routes, major ports, and harbors with many scales. Backed by a massive collection of over 3,000 charts, American Nautical Services provide clear and cost-effective charts available on a chart by chart license basis. In addition, American Nautical Services provides raster charts that are stored in digital format using ARCS (Admiralty raster chart service). Advantageous for planning routes with safety and efficiency, raster charts from American Nautical Services come with the facility of efficient weekly updates as well.

Having all said, visit the website of American Nautical Services if you want to know more on the same.

Raster Charts - The Best Navigation Tools

Raster charts are easy-to-use and clearly-plotted digital charts largely used by sailors and mariners during a navigation course. You can regard them as your best navigation tool. These charts are perfectly suited for passage planning and shore-based applications. They contain the most up-to-date information about ports, waterways, traffic, water depth, and underwater threats. The information provided by these charts help navigators sail safely. Unlike traditional nautical charts that are printed on paper and need to be updated manually at times, raster charts are available in digital formats and can be easily updated using Admiralty free update services.

If you are a sailor or running a shipping company, Raster charts can be the perfect choice for planning voyages, monitoring passages and incident management. They provide a full coverage of global commercial shipping routes, major ports and harbors. These charts use various scales for coastal navigation, passage planning, ocean crossing and port entrance. Those looking to navigate in busy waterways are suggested to use the largest scale charts. Using these charts, you can reach your destination without bearing any risk. The information on these charts is displayed using different symbols. So, the sailor must familiar with these symbols. Symbols depict landmarks, water depth, channels, obstructions, buoys and other voyage related information in the best possible manner.

Limit Marine Accidents with the Use Of Nautical Navigation Charts

Marine navigation, as the term suggests, is an art of finding way at sea. To navigate from one point to the other, sailors have to think appropriately and take a right decision. Historically, navigators determined directions by the observation of sun and stars. However, today, methods of navigation have changed and sailors in the present world; navigate by means of nautical marine navigation charts. A nautical chart, by providing important data about sea depth helps sailors navigate safely.

A nautical chart can be considered as a road map to waterways and oceans. A thorough understanding about nautical charts can help you avoid the rocks and dangerous shallow areas. Without this important chart and moreover, if you are not aware of the different symbols, you are at risk of accidents. By showing water depths, buoys, landmarks, and other topographic features, this significant tool help in navigation.

Today, the traditional charts have been replaced by electronic charts which introduced a new navigation methodology. With the help of an electronic chart, a sailor can sail his ship anywhere in the world. Furthermore, they are key methods to limit marine accidents.
Navigating the oceans can be challenging. However, with a nautical chart, you master the art of navigation. So, make use of nautical charts and navigate the sea smoothly and safely.

Ensure Safety Of Maritime Environment With International Safety Management Code

ISM Code, also termed as International Safety Management, was introduced for safe management of ships. Introduced in 1998, the mission of the code is to address the concerns of poor management standards and practices in ships. The main purpose of the code is to provide guidelines for safe operation and management of ships as well as prevention of pollution. Due to the emerging number of serious accidents during the late 1980s led to the development of ISM code. The main objective of the code was to avoid any damage to the environment, prevent human injury, ensure safety, and loss of life. Implementation and assessment of safety of ships is the prime objective of International Safety Management code.

On July 1, 1998, ISM code became mandatory under International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea. Since its introduction, the ISM code became essential for:

● Ship owners and operators
● Shipping companies
● Maritime administration
● Shipbuilders

Along with safety of ships, vector charts play a crucial role in smooth sea navigation. Navigating the sea in its full intensity is never an easy job. Also known as ENC charts, vector charts are a graphic format in which charts are shown in a schematic manner. By presenting water depths precisely by color layers, vector charts ensure smooth navigation.  There are many online companies from where you can buy maritime charts at cost-effective rates. So, choose a best online firm to buy vector charts for smooth navigation of ships.

Buy Informational Cruising Guides For Unforgettable And Safe Voyage

Cruises have become better interesting options for family vacations, single getaways, and honeymoons. Nowadays, an enjoyable cruise vacation would make quite an impression on one’s mind and make them return time and again for the experience. Unlike small boats and houseboats, cruises offer luxury to the galore and all the travelers would have a feeling of living in a star hotel rather than a ship. All the amenities offered in cruises are equivalent to the kind of hospitality offered in grand hotels and resorts of the highest cadre and make the travelers feel at the top of the world for the duration of the vacation.

Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets - all of these shore side activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the on board amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places - tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries.

If you are a novice and planning for a voyage on the unfamiliar routes then cruising guides will be your best aid. These guides offer color photographs, nautical charts, and in-depth information about how to successfully navigate local waters. So, pack your bags, hit the waters, explore the world in your own manner!

A Few Frequently Used Nautical Terms You Must Know About As A Sailor

If you own a boat, the passion of sailing perhaps runs in your blood. Only a sailor knows that the adrenaline rush of gliding across ocean waves with no boundaries ahead is perhaps incomparable to the excitement of any other leisure activity. However, even if you are a leisure sailor, it is important to familiarize yourself with a few crucial nautical terms that are commonly used in marine navigation. Let’s take a look.

Longitude and Latitude
Longitude and latitude are two imaginary lines drawn across the earth’s surface. You can tell any location on the earth using these two lines. The lines that run from east to west and are parallel to the equator and are known as latitudinal lines, while lines that run from north to south are referred to as longitudinal lines.

Distance and Speed
Nautical mile is the unit of distance that is used in ocean travel. It is basically defined as one minute of latitude. On the other hand, the speed when travelling in sea is measured in knot that is defined as 1 nautical mile per hour.

Depth and Height
The depth and height in sea is usually measured in meters. However, the water height is actually higher than the device displays, due to the presence of tide.

You can browse the internet to learn about a few more marine navigation terms. You can also purchase nautical charts for sale from online stores that are in compliance with the code of federal regulations.

Ensure Safe Operation Of Ships With The Standard ISM Code

For the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention, ISM code is mandatory. The International Safety Management Code is an international code which is established against the pollution and safety risks involved in the shipboard operations. The code was adopted in November 1993 by the IMO as resolution A.741(18). Later on 1st July 1998, the ISM code came into force through SOLAS Chapter IX, ‘Management For The Safe Operation Of Ships’. The main objective of the ISM code is the prevention of loss of life or human injury, ensure safety at sea, avoid damage to the environment; particularly, the marine environment.

The origin of this mandatory code goes back to the late 1980s wherein, poor management in shipping was the mounting concern of the time. It was the time when high proportion of maritime accidents were estimated. Studies have shown that the shortcomings were mainly because of poor ship management, both at sea and ashore. To ensure safe operation of ships, in 1987, the Maritime Safety Committee was called upon to develop guidelines concerning shore-based and shipboard management. The terrible loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987 became a catalyst in the process.

Every ISM compliant ship is first audited by the company and later by Flag State Marine Administration in order to verify the effectiveness and fulfillment of the Safety Management System. As soon as the SMS is verified, the ship gets issued with the Safety Management Certificate. So, receive the ISM code and ensure the safe operation of ships.