M.S. Notice 14 of 2006

Sub: Enhancement of Safety of Navigation through proper usage of navigational charts published by Indian National Hydrographic office, Dehradun.

1. There have been instances in the recent past, when ship navigating on the coast or approaching ports or places in Indian waters have encountered difficulties during navigation for want of having proper scale of chart for the intended area. Few such cases become wreck, while other ships, which ran aground, were re-floated with great difficulties through the timely intervention of the Directorate. One of the attributing factors of these casualties was non-availability of proper scale updated navigational charts for the area of navigation.
2. The Indian National Hydrographic Office (INHO) has been providing Hydrographic services to the shipping industry serving the coastal and near coastal sea areas for the past 50 years. This hydrographic office undertakes to arrange for the collection and compilation of hydrographic data.. It also publishes, disseminate, vital up-to-date nautical information to the shipping for its safe navigation. The INHO issue paper and electronic nautical charts for the ports, coastal waters and high seas in the continent of India. The hydrographic office ensures the greatest possible uniformity in charts and nautical publication. The nautical charts and publications are required by ships plying in Indian continent are made available through a wide network of chart agents. The details can be obtained on web site http://hydrobharat.nic.in.
3. The Indian Maritime Administration being concerned of safety of ships operating in Indian continent advises all concerned to use adequate and up-to-date Indian published nautical charts and nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage. Hence, the ship owners, ship managers, ship agents and masters of the vessel are encouraged to utilize largest scale Indian published chart & publications while their ships are making voyage within Nav Area VIII including the Indian ports along the coast of India.
4. This issue with the approval of the Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India.

Sd/-

(Capt. Vipin Baijal)

Dy. Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India-cum-

Sr. Dy. Director General of Shipping (Tech)