NAVTEX messages are printed (and/or displayed) by the NAVTEX receiver in the exactly defined transmission format.

ZCZC B1B2B3B4

MESSAGE TEXT

NNNN

NAVTEX message transmission format

In the NAVTEX message transmission format:

  • ZCZC indicates the start of the message.
  • The B1 character is a letter (A-Z) identifying the transmitter coverage area - NAVTEX CRS identifier.
  • The B2 character is a letter (A-Z) for each message type. This character is referred to as the subject indicator (explained in the following table).
  • B3 and B4 constitute a two digit serial number for each message. Starting with 01, the sequence ends with serial number 99. This number is used by receivers to avoid printing messages previously received. The serial number 00 is reserved for messages of the highest priority, these are distress relay messages, and are always printed.
  • MESSAGE TEXT begins with the NAVTEX CRS transmitter name and time of transmission.
  • NNNN indicates the end of the message.

Note: the ERROR RATE, an indication of the radio signal reception property can also be added to the NAVTEX message. Usually it is added as text in the line before ZCZC indicator, for example (ERROR RATE = 3 %). It is usually not added if the error rate is 0%. Error rate of 0% means that there has been no error in the received message, with the signal strength being good. Otherwise error rate = number of erroneous characters (displayed/printed as "*") / total number of characters received * 100.

B2 Subject
indicator

Subject
A Navigational warnings (cannot be rejected by the receiver)
B Meteorological warnings (cannot be rejected by the receiver)
C Ice reports
D SAR (Search And Rescue) information and pirate attack warnings (cannot be rejected by the receiver)
E Meteorological forecasts
F Pilot service messages
G AIS (Automatic Identification System)
H LORAN (LOng RAnge Navigation system) messages
I Available if required
J SATNAV (Satellite Navigation Systems, for example United States Global Positioning System (GPS); USSR GLONASS system; Future (2008) EU GALILEO system) messages
K Other electronic Navaid messages (messages concerning radio navigation services)
L Navigational warnings – additional to letter Subject indicator A (should not be rejected by the receiver)
V Special Services – allocation by the NAVTEX panel
W Special Services – allocation by the NAVTEX panel
X Special Services – allocation by the NAVTEX panel
Y Special Services – allocation by the NAVTEX panel
Z No messages on hand

Table of international B2 Subject indicators

In some countries there are some variations to international B2 Subject indicators.

In the United Kingdom use:

  • L for Subfacts, Gunfacts and Oil Rig movements warnings (should not be rejected by the receiver) and
  • V for Amplifying Navigational warnings initially announced in letter A.

In the USA the following are also used:

  • V for Notice to Fishermen and
  • W for Environmental warnings.

NAVTEX message example

ZCZC OA20 (ERROR RATE = 1 %)

WZ 1593
SCOTLAND, WEST COAST. SUMMER ISLES. The NORTH CARDINAL LIGHTBUOY AND THE WEST CARDINAL LIGHT*UOY WITH RACON DELTA MARKING DANGEROUS WRECK
58-01.2 NORTH 005-27.1 WEST HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY WITHDRAWN
CANCEL WZ 1562
(OA07).

NNNN

NAVTEX message example

The above NAVTEX message example was sent by Portpatrick CRS (OA20) as navigational warning (OA20) with message number 20 (OA20). The message has an error rate of 1%, that is, the word LIGHTBUOY in the message "*" was printed instead of the letter B.

Additional NAVTEX message examples

Below are listed NAVTEX message examples of different message types (B2 Subject indicator).

ZCZC FA60
241046 UTC MAY 07
ANTALYA TURK RADIO
NAVTEX NW NR:298/07

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN YACHT RALLY,
FROM 24 MAY 07 TO 19 JUN 07,
RALLY ROUTES MERSIN, ISKENDERUN,
LATTAKIA, JOUNEH, HAIFA, ASHKELON,
PORT SAID AND HERZLIYA, ALL VESSELS IN
THE REGION REQUESTED TO FOLLOW
THE NOTICE DECLARED BY AUTHORITES
WIDE BERTH ADVISED

NNNN

Navigational warning example (B2 is A)

ZCZC SB76
271900 NAVTEX-HAMBURG (NCC)
WARNING NO. 145 271815UTC JUN

FOR GERMAN BIGHT:
ISSUED AT 27.06.2007 18.15 UTC
NEAR-GALES WEST 6-7 BFT.

NNNN

Meteorological warning example (B2 is B)

ZCZC FC45

ARKHANGELSK, 270502 UTC JUN 07
26 JUN 07 1200 UTC INTL ICE PATROL

ESTIMATED LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE:
4649N 5411W TO 4530N 5400W TO
4400N 4900W TO 4545N 4530W TO
4715N 4530W TO 5000N 4715W TO
5530N 5115W TO 5700N 5545W.
CANCEL AT TIME//271200Z JUN 07//

NNNN

Ice report example (B2 is C)

ZCZC LD00
020710 UTC JUN 07
LIMNOS RADIO SARWARN 0007/07

SEMI SUNK BOAT WITH
THREE (3) MEN OVERBOARD
IN PSN 39-07,7N 026-39,2E
SHIPS IN VICINITY ARE REQUESTED TO
PROCEED FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS
INFORMING JRCC PIRAEUS

NNNN

SAR information example (B2 is D)

ZCZC EL50
NITON NAVTEX ST. 171455Z JUN 07
FOST SUBFACTS AND GUNFACTS WARNING
(ALL TIMES UTC).

1. DIVED SUBMARINE OPERATIONS IN
PROGRESS: NIL
2. LIVE GUNNERY FIRINGS IN PROGRESS:
PORTLAND APPROACHES - START POINT
TO SAINT ALBANS HEAD.
BETWEEN 180830 AND 181202 JUN.
FULL DETAILS IN HM COASTGUARD RESCUE
CENTRES VHF AND MF BROADCASTS OR
CONTACT NAVAL OPERATIONS PHONE
(44)(0)1752557550.
CANCEL EL49

NNNN

Navigational warning - additional to letter Subject indicator A example (B2 is L)

ZCZC PZ20

280630 UTC JUN 07
NO MESSAGE ON HAND

NNNN

No messages on hand example (B2 is Z)

Ostatnia modyfikacja: sobota, 25 kwiecień 2020, 19:50