20 questions on Navtex

Do you struggle to sort out navtex warnings ? If yes, you are not alone.

Many believe that Navtex is not a perfect equipment for ocean going ships to receive nav warnings. I will be neutral to that statement. The reason is we do not receive in-force navtex list and so we cannot be sure if we have received all the navtex messages or not.

But not being perfect equipment for ocean going ships does not mean that it is of no use to us.

The only way you can use this imperfect equipment perfectly is by knowing everything about it and by keeping the navtex receiver in good shape.

I noticed that we have many questions related to Navtex that come to mind when we think of Navtex. And I thought best way to discuss Navtex would be to answer these questions individually. So here are the 20 questions about navtex and the answers to these 20 questions.

Lets Start…

1. Navtex: What it is ?

Navtex is short form for Navigation telex and as the name suggests, it is a one form of communication mode. Only thing is that it is for one way communication. What we have on board is a telex receiver, which receives navigational warnings sent by the Navtex station.

navtex

Navtex was developed to provide low cost, simple and automated maritime safety information to the ships in coastal waters.

Navtex is part of GMDSS equipments which is required to be fitted onboard every ship as per SOLAS Chapter IV Reg 7.

2. What is the source of Navtex messages

Navtex station receives these messages from navtex coordinator who in turn receives these messages from various sources. These sources include Meteorological office, Hyrdographic office or rescue coordination centers (RCC).

Navtex station

3. What is the difference between service area and range of the Navtex station ?

A navtex station have a pre-defined area for which it is responsible for sending information. This is called service area of navtex station. The Navtex coordinator of the country decides the service area for the navtex station when it is being set up initially.

If it does not overlap the service area of a navtex station of another adjoining country, usually there is no issue for the navtex coordinator to set up service area.

But if case any dispute over setting up the service area for a navtex station, IMO navtex coordination panel helps in setting this up.

Service area and range of navtex

The range of transmitter of the navtex station need to be sufficient to cover its service area. In fact it need to be more than the service area of the navtex station. This way the ship’s proceeding from outside the service area can receive the navtex messages before entering the service area.

4. Do all navtex stations have equal range ?

As I said the range of the transmitter of the navtex station need to be sufficient to cover its service area. Each navtex station can have different size of the service area and hence the range of the transmitter of each of the navtex station will be different.

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5. How can we know the transmitter range of a navtex station ?

This information is available in the ALRS or ADRS 1,3,4,5.

For example let us find the transmitter range of “Chennai” navtex station.

Open ADRS 1,3,4,5 on the dedicated computer and select “Navtex” under “View” option. From the left menu (Geographical area) scroll down to India.Under navtex option, click on Chennai.

Navtex station information in ADRS

This will open a pop up showing the information about Chennai navtex station.

Chennai navtex range

As we can see that Chennai navtex station has a range of 250 NM.

6. How to know which navtex station will be in range on my passage ?

Same like above, We can find this information in the ALRS or ADRS 1,3,4,5.  Just open ADRS Vol 1,3,4,5 on your dedicated computer and make sure Navtex is selected from “View” option.

This will give you all the navtex stations which you can zoom the map to view a particular one you might be looking for.

Otherwise you can choose the area (or country) from the geographical area selection panel from left menu bar.

Navtex station limits

You can then see which all navtex station you can expect in your passage.

7. At what time a navtex station transmits the navtex messages

Like our phones, Navtex also cannot receive two transmissions at the same time. While receiving transmission from one station, the navtex will reject the reception of second transmission if received.

For this reason, each Navtex station is alloted fixed time to transmit their messages. Each Navtex station type (Character B1) get fixed 10 minutes of time to transmit the message.

The time schedule is as follows

Navtex transmission time

8. Can Navtex station send a message outside these timings

Yes, they can if the message is of utmost priority. There are three message priorities that a navtex message can have.

Navtex message priorities

Vital messages will be broadcasted immediately and do not need to wait for the scheduled transmission.

9. Do Navtex station repeat all the messages in each transmission

Navtex station repeats all the valid messages in each transmission provided it can be transmitted in allotted 10 minutes time.

The navtex receiver onboard stores the successfully received messages for 72 hours. In next transmission, if vessel is still in the range, it will only receive and print any new messages.

Now let us say that you received the navtex messages just now. And you wish to receive all the messages again in next scheduled transmission of the station.

You can switch off the navtex receiver and then switch on again. This will clear the memory from the Navtex and you will receive all the valid messages again.

10. What if I have received few corrupted message

As I pointed out in previous question, we can switch off and switch on the navtex again. During next scheduled transmission, you will receive all the navtex messaged again.

But if you will be in the service area of the navtex before next transmission, you can send the email to the navtex co-ordinator about the corrupted message.

This way not only you will get the corrupted message by email but also you have given a feedback to the navtex station about the corrupt message.

11. How does navtex station sends navtex messages

The Navtex station sends these message on a designated frequency and we receive it on board if we are in range of that navtex station.

If you have a thing for numbers, then here are few numbers you may wish to know

  • Navtex uses frequency 518 KHz for transmitting messages in english.
  • Navtex uses another frequency 490 kHz for transmitting messages in local language.
  • The range of the navtex transmission is between 250NM to 400NM

12. What is the format of Navtex message

Every navtex message starts with letters ZCZC which indicates the start of the message. This is followed by two letters (we call it B1B2) and two numbers (B3B4). In the last, end of the message is denoted by “NNNN”.

The entire process of receiving the transmission from a navtex station looks something like this.

Navtex message format

ZCZC : As I said it denotes the start of the message

B1 :  First letter denotes the identity of the navtex station broadcasting this message. This can be anything from letter A to Letter X.

B2: The second letter denotes the message type.

B3B4 : The two numbers denotes the message number of the navtex message.

Navtex message characters

NNNN: indicates the “End of the message”

Here is the actual navtex message received on ship’s navtex. Can you identify the format described above ? I am sure you will be.

Navtex Message

13. What does phasing signal means ?

This is the signal that is used to lock into the transmission of a particular navtex station. Now if this signal is not used what can happen.

If there is another station in range and which also sends its transmission, the message will be corrupted. This is because navtex receivers will try to receive messages from both the stations.

When a particular station is locked in with the phasing signal, navtex receiver will block reception of all other stations.

14. What are the type of messages received through Navtex

As I said earlier character B2 in navtex message identity represent the type of navtex message. A letter from A to Z denotes the message type. For example letter A means the message type is “Navigational warning” and letter B mean the message type is “Meteorological warning”. Here is the list of what all message type we can receive through navtex.

Navtex message types

15. How do we know what type of messages will a Navtex station send in each transmission schedule

We can find this information in ALRS or ADRS 1,3,4,5. For example if we look for Manila Navtex station, you can find its transmission schedule as well as what type of messages will it send during each transmission.

Manila navtex station

16. How the message number (B3B4) allotted to a Navtex message ?

The message numbers are given between 01 to 99. When a navtex station is first set up and it sends its first message, it will be numbered as 01.

After that the message number count will keep on increasing until it reaches message number 99. Now when the message number reaches 99, there can be 2 possibilities

  • There can be few messages (from 01~99) that are canceled or
  • All the messages are valid

If there are some messages that are cancelled, the next message after 99 will get the message number of first cancelled message after 01. This cycle goes on.

Let us understand this with an example.

A Navtex station (B1=P) has sent total 97 message since it was put into service few day back. In these 97 messages, message number 03, 11 and 16 are cancelled. Its next scheduled transmission is after 3 hours and it got 3 new Nav warnings (B2=A) to send. What will be the message identification of these 3 messages.

Think.

You Got it. right ?

PA98, PA99, PA03. I hope you have same answers.

Now let us see the second condition. In case all the 99 Navtex messages are valid. In this case the navtex station will use the message type “L” for issuing new nav warnings through Navtex.

17. Do Navtex stations send the in force warning list ?

IMO encourages Navtex stations to send the in-force list every week. But most of the times you would not receive the in-force list.

Navtex stations have limited time (10 minutes) to transmit the messages. Including in-force list will only reduce the time for actual transmission.

Though I have experienced that Japan Navtex stations send in-force list every week.

We can download the in-force warnings from the internet (Official sites of the navtex stations) but

  • This is highly discouraged by IMO as well as industry experts like Oil majors.
  • Not all nav area coordinators have the in force list for navtex posted on the web

Even if navtex stations send the in-force list every week, not all ocean going ships will receive it. Ship will pass the service area of the station in less than one day. So if the ship passes this area on the day other than the day in-force list is sent, they will not receive it.

18. How do I know if I have received all the navtex warnings ?

We cannot know for sure if we have received all the Navtex warnings. We have to assume that we have all the Navtex warnings.

But the best we can do is to keep the Navtex receiver in good condition so that it does not miss out receiving any navtex messages.

Also we should select the correct station well before entry into the service area. It is a good practice to select all the station that would be in our range during the passage, before we begin the passage.

Apart from following the Maker’s guidelines for maintenance, cleaning of navtex antenna can increase the reception quality.

19. Do I need to log the Navtex messages in the GMDSS log

As per SOLAS Chapter IV, reg 17 we need to maintain the radio records for all the importnat activities. But IMO has clarified this that we are not required to log receiving navtex messages in the GMDSS log. Maintaining the print out of the navtex messages is sufficient to satisfy the regulation 17 of the SOLAS chapter 17.

20. How to plot navtex warnings on chart.

Plotting navtex warnings on chart is no different than plotting any other warnings. This guide on navigational warnings can be useful for information on how to plot navigational warnings on chart.

21. Do you have any other question that I may have missed

Ya I know I said 20 questions but this final question is from me to you. Do you have any other question that I may have missed. I would be happy to include that.

Conclusion

Naxtex is as important equipment as any other equipment on the wheel house. But sometimes we tend to give Navtex a step motherly treatment by keeing it last in priority list. One reason for that is we are never sure how to handle Navtex.

If we know how it works and how best we can handle Navtex on board, handling Navtex messages will be as easy as eating a pie of cake.

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Capt Rajeev Jassal

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.

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58 Comments

Musavvir
Musavvir
Aug 11, 2016

Very useful notes...thank u so much for sharing u r knowledge

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 11, 2016

Glad you found it useful Musavvir...

krishnan nair
krishnan nair
Oct 4, 2016

which coutries Navtex not using

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Oct 9, 2016

I think Australia for one do not have Navtex service..

Sushant Sharma
Sushant Sharma
Jan 18, 2017

Australia they have safetynet.

Msp
Msp
Jul 3, 2017

No. Complatly wrong.

Oscar
Oscar
Aug 11, 2016

Very good post, Captain!

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 11, 2016

Glad to hear that Oscar..

Mukesh
Mukesh
Aug 11, 2016

Thank you so much for ur above post on Navtex..do we need to keep a file for Navtex messages or after completing the voyage we should throw these messages..

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 11, 2016

These are of no use as we will get these messages again when we come to same station range but as a record keeping we need to keep these for the same duration your company manual requires to keep the GMDSS log..Some navtex have internal memory which does not get erased after 72 hours. In this case we do not need to keep the print out.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 16, 2016

Also to add that record keeping in GMDSS log is not required for weather report and navigational warnings only. For any urgency or distress message received must be recorded in the GMDSS log

Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
Feb 3, 2019

Cap. Rajeev, good post, good information. Really appreciated it. About this specific topic “gmdss log book” récords ... where we can find this information that IMO has clarified that we are not required to log receiving navtex msg, while we keep a print out. This is aplicable to wheather msg and security msg received by sat-c, too?

CAPT.A.PEREIRA
CAPT.A.PEREIRA
Aug 11, 2016

VERY WELL EXPLAINED CAPT. JASSAL

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 11, 2016

Thank you for your kind words Capt Pereira..

Ali Raza
Ali Raza
Aug 13, 2016

Thank you very much for the knowledge you have shared. It surely will help in handling Navtex more efficiently.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 13, 2016

Happy to hear that Ali...

Sagar Kumar
Sagar Kumar
Aug 14, 2016

Very practical knowledge and useful for properly maintaining Navtex. Thanks for writing sir..

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 15, 2016

Glad you found it useful Sagar..

Siva Chidhu
Siva Chidhu
Aug 16, 2016

very nice sir, needed more blogs on draft survey

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Aug 16, 2016

Yes sure, I will write on draft survey.

Capt.Ali Ozcan
Capt.Ali Ozcan
Oct 4, 2016

Useful...blogs...thanx

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Oct 4, 2016

Thank you Capt Ali..

Arun Varghese
Arun Varghese
Oct 30, 2016

Very useful Capt.Can you provide me with a link where IMO guidelines for maintaining GMDSS log? thanks

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Nov 11, 2016

These guidelines are usually there on the first few pages of the GMDSS log. Each ship need to follow the format specified by their flag. If there is no such format then a generic format may be followed. Whichever format we follow, it should have all the entries that are required. For example SOLAS Ch IV/Reg 17 asks us to maintain the record of radio communication which is of importance of safety of life at sea then these record must be present in the GMDSS log. Here is one example which might be of some help.

Mohit
Mohit
Oct 31, 2016

Sir great article Pls can you tell us what records do we need to maintain of navtex msgs. How long should we keep them and do we need to keep only particular msgs or all of them . Also sir pls advise that if msgs are auto plotted on ecdis. Do we need to print them ? Thank you Sir.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Nov 11, 2016

Navtex message print out need to be stored for the duration GMDSS log is required to be stored as per your company SMS. Navtex Nav warnings and Navtex wx messages do not require to be recorded in the GMDSS log. Even If the message is auto plotted on ECDIS, we need to have the print out for record keeping.

MdRaihan Hoshen
MdRaihan Hoshen
May 15, 2017

Great!!!

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
May 15, 2017

Thanks..

MdRaihan Hoshen
MdRaihan Hoshen
May 15, 2017

Sir could you please explain facsimile chart reception?

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
May 15, 2017

I will try to cover that in future blogs ..

Yan Naing Chit
Yan Naing Chit
Jul 27, 2017

This is an outstanding efforts on detailed explanation regarding NAVTEX... Deep Respect Sir !!!!

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
Jul 27, 2017

Thanks Yan..

Win Min Paing
Win Min Paing
Sep 16, 2017

Very Useful, Respect Sir.

Carlos
Carlos
Nov 6, 2017

Where can I check all the navtex stations and their schedules? Everything I find on the internet takes me to pages where I buy products. There are no public lists?

Nam Bao Anh
Nam Bao Anh
Dec 25, 2017

Thanks, it is very clear and useful. I have one question. After we received distress message from Navtex Stations, and distress case finished, do they have message to cancel the distress case and what is the form? Thanks.

Alif aaisa
Alif aaisa
Dec 28, 2017

good day capt. may i ask about question 14, the station identity U, where i can check for it? does those station named in alphabet only?

Athena Kollia
Athena Kollia
Mar 6, 2018

What does it mean when a hostile country provokes it's neighbour by issuing NAVTEX around the neighbour's territory? Can't the country being proked ignore it or issue it's own NAVTEX?

Than
Than
Apr 30, 2018

How can I get Navtex in force list for Japan & China station?

temo
temo
Jun 23, 2018

what is difference between NavArea and service area of navtex station ?

Shiva
Shiva
Jul 22, 2018

what changes we can make in navtex

NITTEN GUPTA
NITTEN GUPTA
Jul 24, 2018

Good day sir.. What all checks to be made in Navtex?

Alok Singh
Alok Singh
Jan 29, 2019

How I wish that books were written in such a comprehensive yet simple manner.Thanx a ton for all the blogs here sir.

shubham
shubham
Jun 27, 2019

limitations of navtex

saba karim
saba karim
Aug 1, 2019

How to select station on navtex?? sir can u answer the above asked questions thnxs

amrit kaushal
amrit kaushal
Aug 11, 2019

How do we know that my navtex is not receiving nav warnings?

Saransh Chaudhry
Saransh Chaudhry
Feb 26, 2020

well if I have understood the article correctly, then the navtex station that you have selected has the B1 code talked above. if during this minutes of hour you do not receive any message form the navtex station while being in the range of the station, then i think you can assume you are not receiving messages on navtex. pls correct me if i am wrong.

lnandinitailor
lnandinitailor
May 23, 2020

I wish more people would post valuable content like this. This is the first time I've been on your website, but after this, I doubt it will be the last time. Regards used transmissions for sale

Arvind Chaurasiya
Arvind Chaurasiya
Aug 26, 2020

Very appreciative note sir you have cleared all my doubts

Tousif zaman Molla
Tousif zaman Molla
Sep 15, 2020

On receiving navtex message what we will do??

Gerald gillado
Gerald gillado
Nov 5, 2020

Ehy is navtex important on gmdss?

M.Gulzar
M.Gulzar
Sep 20, 2021

Thank u sir very well explained With due respect I have one question sir How many SAR areas in the world India . Pakistan.redsea and Iran in which area And under who they are working Thank u

Anubhav krishna
Anubhav krishna
Sep 30, 2021

Examples of L type messeges?

Nikhil
Nikhil
Feb 10, 2022

Are we required a to maintain a file of NAVTEX messages onboard? Or can we discard them at the end of the voyage?

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