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Admiralty Vector Chart Service
Admiralty Vector Chart Service
Admiralty Vector Chart Service 

 

"Now we have the one system, it's easier, it's cheaper, and the company likes that we have only one system for the whole fleet." Captain Pekka Hynönen, Master of M/T Neste

Admiralty Vector Chart Service Overview

The Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) brings together Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) from national Hydrographic offices around the world and new ENC coverage produced by UKHO in co-operation with Foreign Governments to provide comprehensive, official, worldwide coverage.

Compliant

AVCS contains only ENC data that meets SOLAS Carriage Requirements for use within Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

Quality

AVCS meets customer requirements for a comprehensive, world-wide, fully carriage compliant electronic chart service. AVCS continues to develop in response to customer feedback through an ongoing programme of enhancements.

UKHO has instituted a programme of assessment by its professional cartographers where the content of the ENC is compared to relevant paper charts. Any navigationally significant discrepancies identified are then investigated and resolved with the producing nation. No other electronic chart service offers this level of reassurance.

Carriage Compliant

The Admiralty Vector Chart Service only contains ENC data that meets Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Carriage Requirements for use within Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

Electronic Navigational Charts

Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are digital vector charts produced to the International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO's) standards (S57 Version 3.1 and ENC Product Specification). They are referred to World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS84) and are regularly updated with official update information distributed digitally.

Hydrographic offices do not take any responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of privately produced, unofficial charts.

IHO Check Dataset  
The IHO Check Dataset and instructions can be downloaded here.

 


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

Purchasing Options

AVCS provides cost-effective coverage of the world's major shipping routes, avoiding the need to purchase unnecessary data. AVCS is sold in two different formats, Folios & Units, offering the ultimate in purchase flexibility.

Folios

AVCS is sold in a series of Folios, which are geographic collections of ENCs selected for a specific purpose (e.g. transiting an area). They are designed to make ordering, maintenance and licensing as easy and flexible as possible. Each Folio is automatically maintained for any relevant changes to ENC coverage.

Transit Folios

These are designed to provide all the coverage needed for a vessel to pass safely through a region when not engaging in local trade, saving you the expense of purchasing detailed coverage for regions that you are just passing through, whilst including more coverage to negotiate the choke points such as the Suez Canal and Malacca Strait.

AVCS Transit Folio Overview | Example Transit Folio

Regional Folios

These cover a much smaller geographical area than Transit Folios and include all Coastal and some Approach ENCs, where coastal coverage is not available. Regional Folios are designed for local and coastal trade, where more detailed coverage of complex coastal waters is required. They do not include Port Approaches or Entry.

AVCS Regional Folio Overview | Example Regional Folio

Port Folios

These typically comprise Approach, Harbor and Berthing cells grouped together into a single sales unit. Under typical operational conditions, vessels approaching a port directly from an ocean passage will require only Transit and Port Folios if not engaging in coastal operation.

Where a number of major ports are grouped in a complex waterway (e.g. Japan's 'Bungo Suido and Western Inland Sea'), a single Port Folio may provide coverage for all the ports in the area.

Example Port Folios

Chart by Chart

Hand-pick individual ENC chart coverage that meets the specific requirements of your Fleet to ensure precise coverage of your shipping routes.

All ENCs in AVCS can be selected on a chart-by-chart basis as ENC Units. These Units are the smallest unit of sale allowed by ENC producers and usually contain ENC data approximately equivalent to a paper chart.

Combination

Combine AVCS Folios of your choice with individual ENC charts for unrivalled coverage and voyage flexibility.


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

Licensing

The ENCs in AVCS are provided under a licence agreement that permits their use for defined periods of time.  AVCS Folios and ENC Units may be added to an AVCS licence at any time for periods of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months (where data supply agreements allow).  This offers maximum choice and the flexibility to match your chart holdings to your operational patterns.

Under the agreement you will be provided with an AVCS media pack, containing world-wide AVCS data, receive weekly updates.

Updating

Updates to ENC data within AVCS are supplied weekly on CD as standard, ensuring that every AVCS customer has a complete and up to date set of data on board, with the option to easily access additional data if required.

Updates are also available over the Internet by using either Admiralty e-Navigator Planning Station or the Admiralty Updating Service, free of charge. The software can be used to obtain immediate updates to your ENC data, either directly over the Internet or by email, anywhere in the world, at anytime. The service also allows the mariner to actively manage their data holdings with the download of voyage-specific updates, minimising transmission costs for vessels at sea.

An information log is automatically maintained for the Officer of the Watch to ensure continuity during crew changes. All updates are hosted on a secure server and are encrypted and digitally signed to ensure that they are authentic and uncorrupted when you receive them.

Periodically changes to the ENC coverage available worldwide make it necessary to cancel and replace both ENC Units and AVCS Folios.  The following files contain a cumulative list of the cancelled Units and Folios, along with the Units and Folios that replaced them:

AVCS Cancelled and Replaced Folios
Replacements for Cancelled Cells
Withdrawn Cells

Admiralty AVCS and ECDIS Services - data distribution and issue dates

Area CDROM
Issue Date
Next Issue Date
Countries covered
Base 1
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Estonia EE, Finland FI, Latvia LV, Lithuania LT,  Poland PL, Sweden SE.
Base 2
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Norway NO.
Base 3
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
United Kingdom GB.
Base 4
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Croatia HR, Denmark DK, Greece GR, Italy IT, Portugal PT, Russia RU, Spain ES, Turkey TR, Ukraine UA, United Kingdom GB.
Base 5
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
USA US.
Base 6
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Canada CA.
Base 7
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Australia AU, Bahrain BH, India IN, New Zealand NZ, Pakistan PK, South Africa ZA.
Base 8
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
Argentina AR, Belgium BE, Brazil BR, Chile CL, Colombia CO, France FR, Germany DE, Iceland IS, Mexico MX, Netherlands NL, Peru PE, Suriname SR, Uruguay UY, Venezuela VE.
Base 9
Week 17, 25 Apr 2013
Week 27, 04 July 2013
China C1, Hong Kong C2, Indonesia ID, Japan JP, Korea (Republic of) KR, Malacca & Singapore Straits MS, Malaysia MY, Philippines PH, Singapore SG, Thailand TH, Vietnam VN.

Full Licensing Terms and Conditions

For complete information on Licensing terms and conditions, please see below:

ENC Readme file
End User Licence Agreement


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

Fixed Annual Cost

With AVCS Folios you can be sure of maintaining access to all the latest information without the need to repeatedly amend your budgets. Any new ENC data that becomes available will be included in the appropriate AVCS Folio at no additional cost for the period of your Licence.

Complete Flexibility

Every AVCS customer is provided with a complete set of Base discs containing every ENC available within the Service. These discs are 'locked' but allow your vessel to carry complete coverage whilst only paying for the folios and charts required. Charts can be 'unlocked' quickly and easily at any point during the licence period, extending your coverage.

Pricing

Please contact your Admiralty Distributor to get pricing for AVCS coverage that will meet your needs.

 
Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

Support

Support calls should be directed to your AVCS Distributor in the first instance. Where your AVCS Distributor is unable to provide support or assistance please contact UKHO Customers Services:
email CustomerServices@UKHO.gov.uk
phone +44 (0) 1823 723366.

Where a vessel is diverted for commercial reasons an order can be raised through your AVCS Distributor. Your AVCS Distributor will receive the permits immediately on placing the order and these can then be forwarded on to you by arrangement with your Distributor.

AVCS Certificate

All AVCS users are supplied with a Certificate, carrying the UKHO crest and Chief Executive’s signature, which certifies that all charts supplied in AVCS are ENCs that conform to the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V.

AVCS User Guide

To download the AVCS user guide please click here.

Data Distribution and Issue Dates

To view the Admiralty ECDIS Service and AVCS Data Distribution and Issue Dates, please select the 'Licensing and Updating' tab above.

Emergency Chart Permits

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for a vessel to get access to an AVCS chart at very short notice, for instance if she has to divert her route due to a medical or safety emergency. In these emergency circumstances, individual AVCS Chart Permits can be obtained from the UKHO 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These Chart Permits can be transmitted direct to the vessel by email wherever possible, by fax, or simply by reading the characters out over the telephone or radio. Each Chart Permit consists of 64 characters.

To obtain an AVCS emergency chart permit please contact UKHO Customer Services, quoting your name and contact details, the vessel name, the User Permit Number of your ECDIS system and the cell number(s) required.
email CustomerServices@UKHO.gov.uk
Phone +44 (0) 1823 723366

 


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

Admiralty Information Overlay

The Admiralty Information Overlay is a digital data set that is designed to be displayed over ENCs in ECDIS and other chart display systems to provide additional information to the navigator.

The Overlay contains all Admiralty Temporary & Preliminary Notices to Mariners (T&P NMs) and provides additional preliminary information that is specific to ENCs, such as reported navigational hazards that have been incorporated on paper charts but have not yet been included in ENCs.

The Overlay gives seafarers an easy way to view the information they need, in addition to the standard chart, to navigate safely and compliantly. The Overlay makes passage planning simpler and safer by clearly showing where important Temporary or Preliminary changes may impact a voyage. It also gives seafarers the same consistent picture of the maritime environment on their ECDIS as they have always had with the Admiralty paper chart.

The Overlay includes all Admiralty T&P NMs in force worldwide and additional information that relates specifically to ENCs, published as ENC Preliminary NMs (EP NMs).

The Admiralty Information Overlay User Guide can be downloaded here (PDF).

Compatible Equipment

The Overlay can be displayed on compatible ECDIS equipment and also in Admiralty e-Navigator Planning Station. Please see the Display Systems tab for an up to date list of compatible equipment, or consult your ECDIS supplier. Most ECDIS equipment installed prior to 2011 will require an upgrade before it will be able to display the Overlay.

T&P NMs

All Admiralty T&P NMs that are in force are included in the Overlay. Each NM is displayed as a simple red polygon (usually rectangular) with red hatched fill which indicates the area affected by the NM. Each NM carries the same NM number that is used in the Admiralty Notices to Mariners Bulletin.

The full text of the NM is included as an associated text file which can be displayed by selecting the 'Temporary Notice to Mariners' or 'Preliminary Notice to Mariners' feature in the ECDIS Pick Report. Any associated diagrams can also be viewed through the Pick Report.

Figure 1 Preliminary (P) NM showing text and diagram

EP NMs

ENC P (EP) NMs contain additional information that is specific to ENCs and cannot be published as a standard Admiralty T&P NM. These NMs are displayed in the same way as T&P NMs, as a simple red polygon (usually rectangular) with red hatched fill which indicates the area affected by the NM. Each NM is allocated a unique EP NM number.

The full text of the NM can be viewed in the ECDIS Pick Report against the Information attribute. Where additional information is needed to explain the NM an associated picture file displays an image showing the ENC superimposed over the current paper chart information.

Figure 2 ENC P (EP) NM

To get access to the Admiralty Information Overlay, check that you have a compatible display system and then contact your Admiralty Chart Agent.


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

AVCS Compatible Display Systems

All type approved ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems) and many unofficial ECS (Electronic Chart Systems) are compatible with AVCS.

The following table lists some of the display systems currently available:

Manufacturer Model Type Approved AVCS AIO AIO compatible ECDIS version* ARCS Installation Guide
Admiralty e-Navigator Planning Station   Tick Tick 2.4.10 Tick  
ChartWorld e-Globe ECDIS Tick Tick Tick

4000.10.207
ECDIS Kernel v 5.12

Tick  
Consilium ECDIS
S-ECDIS
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
4.5.4.27
10.2.xx
Tick
Tick
 
Furuno FEA-2107
FEA-2807
FMD 3200
FMD 3300
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
6.21
6.21
All
All
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Download Download Installation guide
Imtech ECDIS 3500
ECDIS 4500
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
    Tick
Tick
 
JRC JAN-701B
JAN-901B
JAN-2000
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
ECDIS application 2.02
Maintenance no. v56
Chart portfolio 2.02
Tick
Tick
Tick
Download Download Installation guide
Kelvin Hughes Manta Digital 20" / 22" / 26"
Manta 1700 / 2000 / 2300
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
   
Tick
Download Download Installation guide
Kongsberg K-Bridge ECDIS Tick Tick     Tick  
L-3 Valmarine NaviNet ECDIS Tick Tick     Tick Download Download Installation guide
MARIS ECDIS900 Tick Tick Tick 4.5.3.16 Tick Download Download Installation guide
Offshore Systems Ltd. ECPINS 4000
ECPINS 5000
ECPINS-M
ECPINS-W
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
 
PC Maritime Navmaster ECDIS Tick Tick     Tick  
Raytheon Anschütz NSC ECDIS Version E04.05
Synapsis ECDIS Version E04.08
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
    Tick
Tick
Download Download Installation guide
SAM Electronics MULTIPILOT 1100 Tick Tick     Tick  
SevenCs ORCA Master
(free 3 month trial available)
Tick
 
Tick
 
4.5
 
Tick
 
Download Download Installation guide
Sperry Vision Master FT ECDIS Tick Tick     Tick Download Download Installation guide
Tokyo Keiki EC-8000
EC-8500
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
    Tick
Tick
Download Download Installation guide
Transas Navi-Sailor 3000 ECDIS MFD
Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS MFD
Standard, Standard+, Premium, Premium+
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick

Tick
Tick
 
2.00.320.3052
 
Tick
Tick
Tick
 
               

* AIO compatible ECDIS version numbers indicate the minimum ECDIS software version required to view the Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO).

† Earlier issues with the display of some ARCS charts in SAM NACOS XX-4 and xx-5 Chartpilots/Multipilots have been resolved with a maintenance release dated Q1/2012. Please contact SAM Electronics directly or via NACOS_update@sam-electronics.de

Due to the growth in the number of ENCs (Electronic Navigational Charts) available worldwide, some older ECDIS suffer from performance issues when installing AVCS. Please consult your equipment manufacturer if your ECDIS was installed before January 2009.


Admiralty's 9 Stages to the new ECDIS regulations > Facts About Digital Charts and Carriage Requirements >
Admiralty Digital Catalogues > Download the latest digital chart updates here >
Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols > T&P NMs in ENCs >
Find an Admiralty Distributor > Frequently Asked Questions >

AVCS Case Studies

Arklow Shipping

Arklow Shipping is an Irish dry cargo transporter, working the European short sea trade, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic. With 35 vessels at sea and ten under construction, the company is investing for the future, despite testing times. The harsh climate has highlighted some of AVCS's key benefits... read more...

Neste Oil

With 30 years at sea, Captain Pekka Hynönen is Master of M/T Neste, a product tanker currently running between North Sea, Gibraltar and Baltic Finland. His company, Neste Oil, began trialling AVCS in November 2008, and after seven months, Captain Hynönen says moving from multiple systems to just one has made life easier in a number of ways, as well as saving the company money... read more...