Digital Radio Signals Guide

Digital documentation for maritime radiocommunications and safety

The digital Radio Signals Guide is essential nautical documentation for understanding, preparing and using the radiocommunication and radionavigation services required for maritime navigation. Designed for professional mariners as well as leisure sailors, crews, officers, maritime schools and voyage-planning personnel, these publications bring together technical information on radio stations, radio navigation aids, the GMDSS, maritime safety information, port communications and reporting systems.

Digital documentation is particularly suited to modern navigation. It provides structured information in electronic format that can be searched quickly on a compatible computer or device, while allowing access to publications that are regularly updated. Current SHOM Radio Signals publications are supplied exclusively as digital PDF documents, with access to updated versions during the applicable licence period.

The digital Radio Signals Guide therefore complements nautical charts, Sailing Directions and the other documents used when preparing and conducting a voyage.

What is a digital Radio Signals Guide used for?

A nautical chart shows the position of hazards, depths, aids to navigation and maritime infrastructure. A Radio Signals Guide provides another type of information: it helps the navigator determine how to communicate, with whom, through which service and in which circumstances.

Depending on the publication, the navigator can find information about:

• maritime radio stations;

• radio communication services and frequencies;

• port radio communication services;

• pilotage and Vessel Traffic Services;

• mandatory or voluntary reporting systems;

• GMDSS services;

• Maritime Safety Information;

• meteorological services and navigational warnings;

• radio navigation aids;

• communication and reporting procedures applicable to particular areas.

The digital format makes it easier to search for a specific item in a large technical publication. When preparing an approach to a port, checking a reporting procedure or identifying the appropriate maritime radio service, the navigator can quickly access the relevant section.

The main SHOM digital Radio Signals publications

SHOM's current digital Radio Signals documentation is organised into several specialised publications. The range includes publications covering maritime radionavigation, maritime radio stations, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, port radiocommunications and reporting systems, and Maritime Safety Information.

Maritime radionavigation

The publication dedicated to maritime radionavigation provides information needed to use radio navigation aids. It covers systems and services associated with modern electronic navigation and provides technical information useful when preparing coastal, offshore and ocean passages.

This documentation is particularly useful when preparing an ocean passage, when the navigator needs to identify the radio-navigation services available along the route and understand their role alongside satellite navigation systems.

Maritime Radio Stations

The publication dedicated to Maritime Radio Stations provides the information required to operate radio communications in the areas covered by French cartographic responsibility. It is reference documentation for identifying maritime radio services and their characteristics. The current publication is supplied exclusively in digital PDF format and is available for downloading during the applicable 12-month period following the initial purchase.

It can be used when preparing a port approach, establishing contact with a maritime service or planning communications during a voyage.

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

The publication dedicated to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, or GMDSS, describes the organisation and operation of the system and its various services. Its coverage is worldwide.

This documentation covers the systems and services used for distress and safety communications, the transmission of Maritime Safety Information and related procedures designed to support the safety of life at sea.

It is particularly important for offshore and ocean navigation, where communication and distress procedures must be planned according to the vessel's distance from the coast and the services available along the route.

Port radiocommunications and reporting systems

The publication dedicated to port radiocommunications and reporting systems describes pilotage services, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), surveillance services, port radio communications and non-port reporting systems, whether mandatory or voluntary, within the areas of French cartographic responsibility. It also complements the relevant Sailing Directions.

It is particularly relevant when approaching a commercial port, a busy traffic area or a maritime sector subject to specific reporting procedures.

Maritime Safety Information

The publication dedicated to Maritime Safety Information describes the means used to distribute Maritime Safety Information (MSI), including meteorological warnings and navigational warnings, for the areas of French cartographic responsibility.

It complements the other publications used to monitor changing maritime conditions before and during a voyage.

Coastal, offshore and ocean navigation

The digital Radio Signals Guide is useful in very different maritime environments.

In the English Channel and North Sea, the density of shipping, numerous Traffic Separation Schemes, Vessel Traffic Services and major commercial ports make effective communications particularly important. Ports such as Dunkirk, Calais, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Rotterdam and Antwerp may require consultation of specific radio and port-procedure information.

Along the Atlantic coast and in the Bay of Biscay, communications may concern approaches to Brest, Lorient, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bayonne or ports in Spain and Portugal. Maritime Safety Information and radio services are also important when preparing passages towards the British Isles, the Azores or the Canary Islands.

In the Mediterranean Sea, the documentation can be used when preparing communications during navigation between France, Spain, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Greece, Turkey and North Africa. Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Ajaccio, Bastia, Genoa, Naples and Gibraltar are examples of ports where knowledge of radio and port services contributes to voyage preparation.

For an Atlantic crossing towards the Caribbean or the Americas, Radio Signals documentation takes on a different dimension. It becomes part of the preparation of offshore communications, maritime safety information and long-distance navigation.

In the Caribbean, approaches to Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Saint Martin, Antigua or Grenada may also require preparation of local port communications and reporting procedures.

For navigation in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and polar regions, Radio Signals publications are particularly valuable when preparing long-distance communications and identifying available safety services on routes where ports and coastal facilities may be widely separated.

Complementarity with nautical charts

A Radio Signals Guide does not replace a nautical chart. It provides complementary information.

Voyage preparation may therefore involve several types of documentation:

• official SHOM nautical charts for French waters;

• Admiralty charts for many international areas;

• Imray charts for certain coastal and cruising areas;

• NV Charts for various navigation regions;

• Sailing Directions;

• Lists of Lights;

• Radio Signals Guides;

• regulatory and maritime safety publications.

This complementarity is particularly important for international navigation. A nautical chart provides the geographical and hydrographic picture, while Radio Signals documentation provides information needed to use maritime communication services and radio-navigation facilities.

A tool for preparing a port approach

The digital guide can be used before departure to prepare communications for an arrival or departure.

For a vessel approaching Brest, for example, the navigator can identify the relevant radio services and communication information before entering the area. When approaching Marseille, the navigator can review the port services applicable to the intended route. During a passage through the English Channel, information concerning Vessel Traffic Services and reporting procedures can be incorporated into the passage plan.

This approach reduces the need to search for technical information at the moment when the workload on the bridge is increasing.

A reference for professional navigation

Digital Radio Signals Guides are particularly relevant to:

• commercial vessels;

• service vessels;

• professional crews;

• deck officers;

• maritime training centres and schools;

• voyage-planning personnel;

• offshore sailors;

• ocean cruisers;

• GMDSS users;

• maritime professionals operating in ports and traffic areas.

Digital documentation is also suitable for theoretical voyage preparation and documentary consultation on board, subject to the conditions of use and specific characteristics of each publication.

Updating digital maritime documentation

One of the principal advantages of digital publications is their ability to incorporate corrections and new information more efficiently.

Current SHOM Radio Signals publications are supplied in PDF format and, for the relevant publications, updated versions can be downloaded during the applicable 12-month access period. Users are notified of updates and can retrieve the latest corrected version through the digital service.

This is particularly important for documentation covering radio services, port procedures, reporting systems, safety information and other technical data that may change over time.

Admiralty Radio Signals publications for international coverage

Alongside French publications, the Admiralty List of Radio Signals is a major international reference for maritime radiocommunications. It is organised into several volumes covering subjects such as maritime radio stations, radio aids to navigation, Maritime Safety Information, meteorological services and the GMDSS.

This type of international documentation is particularly useful for vessels navigating through several countries and maritime regions, where national publications and international hydrographic documentation need to be considered together.

Why use a digital Radio Signals Guide?

The digital format offers several advantages when preparing and conducting a voyage:

• rapid access to specific technical information;

• easier searching within large documents;

• consultation on compatible computers and devices;

• access to updated versions according to the product and licence;

• documentation organised by subject or geographical area;

• worldwide coverage for certain publications;

• complementarity with nautical charts and Sailing Directions;

• reduced documentary volume on board.

Digital documentation should not simply be regarded as a paper publication converted into electronic form. For certain publications, it is part of a modern approach to nautical documentation, particularly suited to technical information that may change over time.

Conclusion

The digital Radio Signals Guide is specialised nautical documentation for preparing maritime communications, radionavigation and safety procedures. Current SHOM publications covering maritime radionavigation, Maritime Radio Stations, the GMDSS, port radiocommunications and reporting systems, and Maritime Safety Information address complementary requirements, from coastal navigation in French waters to offshore and ocean passages.

Used together with nautical charts, Sailing Directions and other official publications, the digital Radio Signals Guide provides the navigator with coherent documentation for planning communications, identifying available maritime services and anticipating the procedures encountered during coastal, offshore or ocean navigation.

FAQ – Digital Radio Signals Guide

What is a digital Radio Signals Guide used for?

It provides information required for maritime radiocommunications, radionavigation and maritime safety services, including radio stations, port services, GMDSS, Maritime Safety Information, radio navigation aids and reporting systems, depending on the publication.

Which digital Radio Signals publications are available from SHOM?

The current SHOM Radio Signals range includes publications covering maritime radionavigation, Maritime Radio Stations, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), port radiocommunications and reporting systems, and Maritime Safety Information.

Is a digital Radio Signals Guide useful for an ocean crossing?

Yes. Some publications have worldwide coverage and provide information concerning communication systems, maritime safety and radionavigation that is useful for offshore and ocean passages. The GMDSS publication, in particular, has worldwide coverage.

Does a Radio Signals Guide replace a nautical chart?

No. It is complementary documentation. A nautical chart provides geographical and hydrographic information, while the Radio Signals Guide primarily concerns communications, radionavigation and maritime services.

Does the digital guide cover only France?

No. Coverage depends on the publication. Some SHOM Radio Signals publications concern areas under French cartographic responsibility, while the GMDSS publication has worldwide coverage.

Are digital Radio Signals Guides updated?

Yes, according to the conditions applicable to each publication. Current SHOM Radio Signals publications are supplied digitally and the relevant updated versions can be downloaded during the applicable access period, generally 12 months from the initial purchase.

What is the difference between an SHOM Radio Signals Guide and the Admiralty List of Radio Signals?

SHOM publishes specialised Radio Signals documentation, including publications dedicated to radionavigation, maritime radio stations, GMDSS, port communications and Maritime Safety Information. The Admiralty List of Radio Signals is an international reference organised into several volumes covering maritime radio stations, radio navigation aids, safety information, meteorological services and GMDSS.

Who are digital Radio Signals Guides intended for?

They are intended for professional navigators, crews, deck officers, maritime schools and training centres, offshore sailors, ocean cruisers, GMDSS users and anyone preparing a voyage requiring reliable information on maritime radiocommunications and associated services.