The UK Hydrographic Office has launched ADMIRALTY Digital Sailing Directions (ADSD), transforming its Sailing Directions navigational guides into an interactive digital format. This move aims to simplify passage planning and increase situational awareness for mariners. By moving beyond static guides, ADSD offers a dynamic and searchable digital tool that will help mariners access the information they need more quickly and easily.
The launch of ADSD reflects the UKHO's ongoing efforts to develop digital solutions that are safe, compliant and aligned with the evolving needs of mariners. It also marks a significant step forward in the UKHO's wider program of work to deliver products and services that will help shape the future of navigation and support digital transformation across the maritime sector.
ADSD delivers the same authoritative and compliant ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions content as traditional guides, but with added features such as an integrated geo-display. This enables users to view navigational features and routing information in a geographical context, alongside high-quality images of coastal views and navigational aids.
The new features and functionality offered by ADSD enable mariners to enhance their situational awareness and navigate more confidently. With powerful search and bookmarking functions, navigators can instantly locate and save the relevant Sailing Directions for their passage planning, including port details, traffic information and navigational warnings.
ADSD also simplifies route planning by incorporating indicative routes within the geo-display. This allows mariners to access key routing information more dynamically and efficiently.
The intuitive design of ADSD has been developed in close consultation with navigating officers from around the world, including testing across a diverse range of vessel types and navigational scenarios.
A survey of over 50 mariners who used ADSD revealed that 88% of users found it intuitive and easy to use, while 91% agreed that the geo-display made sailing directions easier to understand. Additionally, 88% of users said that ADSD saved them time in passage planning.
The initial launch includes the 38 most popular volumes of ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions available in the ADSD format, covering major shipping routes and key trade corridors. This ensures mariners navigating the world's busiest shipping lanes have access to reliable and up-to-date information.
With this launch, the UKHO is committed to providing a digital solution that will support the maritime sector's transition to more efficient and effective navigation.
The launch of ADSD marks a significant step forward in the UKHO's efforts to support the maritime sector's digital transformation.
