Port book

Question

Hello,What do you call in English the book that has all information relevant to navigation–maps, phone numbers, visual description of coastal approach, etc.–of all the ports in a given area/region/country?Thank youH.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

This is an interesting question. I don't know the answer but I would tell you that when it comes to a "map" that is for the water, it's a "chart."

Seems like something that would part of an atlas, I guess.

Henry74 · Answer

A chart. Sorry.

My navigational English is still in its polishing phase.

Back to the book. I don't know about an atlas. Charts are only part of the book, and they only cover the port–a very small scale chart done with a gnomonic projection.
Most of the book is about information on the port itself: radio channels, phone numbers, active facilities, description of coastal features for visual approach, hazardous features. Anything, really, that can relate to safely navigating into the port.

I should mention that it is not a book that covers commercial activities. It's mostly for people who sail from port to port.
So, for example, you won't find radio channels for the pilots in it.

I'm beginning to wonder if you do have such a publication in the US. I know some other European countries have it.

Thank you
H.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not a mariner, so I'm out of my element here, but in the UK this is apparently called Admiralty Sailing Directions, and in the US a comparable publication is apparently called NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) Sailing Directions.

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

The UK item advertised on this web page is described as a pilotage guide:

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Pack-v-Brian-Goulder/dp/0229117996

Dave

Henry74 · Answer

Thank you Dave.

Following up on your amazon suggestion, I also found a number of Cruising Guides, and a few Pilot Guides, sometimes simply called Pilot. Eg "Mediterranean France and Corsica Pilot."

Unfortunately the "Read Inside" feature was not available, but, judging by the description, they seem to be close to what I'm referring to.

H.

Port book

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