Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1122
Adoption of the Revised NAVTEX Manual
(24 May 2004)
The
Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth session (12 to 21 May 2004),
adopted the revised NAVTEX Manual, given at annex, and decided that it should
enter into force on 1 January 2006.
200.... Edition
NAVTEX
is an international automated direct-printing service for promulgation of
navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships. It
has been developed to provide a low-cost, simple and automated means of
receiving maritime safety information on board ships at sea in coastal waters.
The information transmitted may be relevant to all sizes and types of vessel
and the selective message-rejection feature ensures that every mariner can
receive a safety information broadcast which is tailored to his particular
needs.
NAVTEX
fulfils an integral role in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) which has been developed by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) and contributes to safety at sea.
The
NAVTEX system is commended to Administrations having responsibility for
maritime affairs and to mariners who require an effective maritime safety
information service.
This
manual is intended, primarily, for use by Maritime Administrations and others
concerned with the preparation and broadcasting of safety information. It will
also be of interest to seafarers, shipowners and others who need to receive
such information in order to safely go about their business at sea. It should
be used in conjunction with the IHO/IMO WorldWide Navigational Warning Service
Guidance Document, Special Publication No. 53 (WWNWS), and the Joint
IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MSI), Special Publication S
53, Appendix 1. These