Nautical Publications for Boaters
Printed Information for Planning and Conducting Your Next Voyage
Boaters have access to a number of nautical publications that they can use to plan their next voyage. Many are available at a nominal cost or free online. Even in this age of GPS based navigation, there are many publications that should be carried by the prepared skipper.
Sailing Directions - The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) publishes sailing directions in two formats, enroutes and planning guides. NGA updates these navigation documents as new data is developed and requires substantial revision of published text.
- Planning Guides - These documents are intended to help with the navigation required for extended ocean voyages. There are ten Planning Guides published that represent general ocean basins. Each guide provides information on countries adjacent to the guide area, a description of the physical environment, limits of foreign artillery danger zones, recommended routes, and available navigational features.
- Enroute - These publications describe numbered coastal sections or areas along straits. The enroute sailing directions provide detailed discussions of each section listed in the enroute sailing directions. Discussions include a graphical key to the section described, a list of available charts, special information on local winds, and a list of anchorages. Following the sector discussions, enroute guides have a Index-Gazetteer feature that lists each feature mentioned for each section in alphabetical order with geographical coordinates for the feature.
Coast Pilots - The National Ocean Service (NOS), a division of NOAA, publishes the United States Coast Pilot series for nine regions of the country. Coast Pilots are meant to supplement the information provided by published nautical charts. Information provided is more detailed than that found in Sailing Directions and is verified in the field. The Notice to Mariners system of publications is used to update the Coast Pilots series and keep them current.
Inland and International Navigation Rules (Commandant Instruction M16672.2b) (PDF)- The United States Coast Guard (USCG) publishes the rules of the road, a publication that should be carried on every vessel. The navrules book includes the Inland Navigation Rules for the United States, the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea of 1972 (1972 COLREGS), and colored plates showing vessel navigational lights in different meeting situations.
Light Lists - Light Lists are publications that list and describe navigational light and aid information. The Coast Guard publishes the list for United States territorial waters and NGA prints lists for foreign waters. Light Lists describe navigational light or aid identification, visibility range, charted location, colors and/or sounds produced, and local obstructions that might reduce visibility. Light Lists are also kept up to date through the Notice to Mariners system.
Notice to Mariners - Publication of Notice to Mariners is a joint effort of the NGA, NOS and USCG. The publication is intended to notify mariners of changes in hydrographic data, navigational aid location, corrections to charts and other items that effect navigational safety. The Notice to Mariners system is used to update sailing directions, charts, light lists and pilot guides.
There are many other navigation publications available to the erstwhile mariner. The publications listed here represent a good beginning for the boat's library.
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