Navigation Basics

Vessels Traffic Services V.T.S.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) are an established maritime system for managing vessel movements in high-traffic or environmentally sensitive areas. By facilitating real-time communication, monitoring, and response, VTS improves navigational safety, operational efficiency, and environmental protection. Often compared to air traffic control systems, VTS adapts similar principles to the maritime environment to ensure adherence to international […]
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Nautical Instruments

Except from the nautical chart, in order to ensure the required safety, the mariner is obliged to use a variety of nautical instruments. The appropriate use of the nautical chart requires certain “surveying instruments” that are mandatory in vessels. (1) Parallel for shaping courses and bearings (2) Pair of compasses for measuring distances (3) Protractor […]
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Anchoring

The process of selecting an anchorage and maneuvering a vessel requires thorough preparation, precise execution, and adherence to good seamanship. Mariners must carefully consider various environmental and operational factors to ensure safety and stability. Below is a detailed guide to anchorage selection, anchor dropping, anchorage checking, mooring, and alongside maneuvers. Anchorage Selection Before proceeding to […]
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Compass

Magnetic Compass It is a valuable and basic navigational instrument that is fully combined with the vessel’s safety. It consists of the magnetic needle that is freely hanged on a horizontal plane. When at land, it is affected by the earth’s magnetism and is oriented towards the direction of the magnetic North. In iron vessels, […]
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Light Marking

The term ‘light marking’ defines the device that is installed outside from the vessel and emits light from a determined geographical point in order to help the mariner to determine his position, to navigate with safety, to mark and warn for nautical dangers and other obstacles. In general, these devices are called ‘lights’ and are […]
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IALA Maritime Buoyage System

The need for the establishment of a unified buoyage system became crucial the last decades, because of the great extend of the international navigational traffic, the accidents and, finally, because of the variety of the buoyage systems that were locally applied by the States. It has to be highlighted that during 1975 more than 30 […]
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