Module 7 - Charts & Publications
Select the Publication for the Decision
Sailing Directions provide written coastal and port-entry information such as hazards, buoyage, pilotage, regulations, facilities and seasonal conditions. The List of Lights and Fog Signals adds structured light and fog-signal details. Tide Tables provide predictions for ports, while Tidal Stream Atlases show the direction and rate of streams on chartlets for stated times relative to a reference port.
Radio publications, current warnings, local notices and harbour information answer different operational questions. A leisure almanac can be a useful compiled working reference for tides, ports, lights, radio and practical information within its stated coverage, but its scope, source dates and update method must be understood and cross-checked where the decision is safety-critical.
Do not confuse a leisure nautical almanac with the ADMIRALTY Nautical Almanac, which is principally an astronomical publication for celestial navigation. The shared word 'almanac' does not mean the two products contain the same material.
| Question | Primary publication type | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|
| What are the approach hazards and procedures? | Sailing Directions / authoritative pilot information | Use alongside the current chart and local information |
| What is the light's full character or fog signal? | List of Lights and Fog Signals | Confirm charted sector and actual conditions |
| When and how high is HW/LW? | Tide Tables | Use correct port, date, time basis and corrections |
| What stream is expected at HW−2? | Tidal Stream Atlas or relevant tidal publication | Use the stated reference port and rate convention |
| What changed recently? | NMs, warnings and local notices | Apply only items relevant to the route and time |
| What convenient regional summary is available? | Current leisure almanac | Check coverage, source date and update process |
Optional quick check
Section 4 of 5
Which source is best for a written description of an unfamiliar harbour approach and its hazards?
Sources and factual review
Continue studying Charts & Publications
This public lesson is part of Revision Module 7. Full revision access adds the guided Learn, Practise and Test flow, flashcards and revision progress.