Printer Friendly
Email a Friend
UKHO Routeing Charts
01 Mar 2003
The UK Hydrographic Office at Taunton has published the first of a series of five routeing charts with updated meteorological data, initially covering the Red Sea and Persian Gulf and a greater overlap of the Indian Ocean.
Using the charts, says the UKHO's Nigel Brown, mariners planning oceanic passages can select the most advantageous route depending on anticipated weather and other conditions. He points out that climatic conditions, such as current and winds, will often mean that the shortest distance - the so-called great circle route - is not the most efficient or suitable for an intended passage. It has been estimated, for example, that the great circle route across the North Atlantic represents the fastest passage westbound for only 2% of the time and eastbound for 13% of the time.
To meet these needs, each month of the year is assigned an individual chart detailing major shipping routes and distances. Charts also provide wind roses showing wind speeds and directions as recorded by ships at 5infinity degree intervals; ocean current directions and strengths;
ice limits; frequency and path of storms; mean sea temperature and dew point; frequency of fog and low visibility.
Other charts for the remaining four ocean areas, the South Atlantic, Indian, North and South Pacific, are due to be published over the next two years.
Related products
For more information on products mentioned within this article visit
