ADMIRALTY NP publications for Yachtmaster passage planning

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) publishes ADMIRALTY nautical publications identified by NP numbers. NP5011, Symbols and Abbreviations Used on ADMIRALTY Paper Charts, explains the symbols and abbreviations used across ADMIRALTY and international-series paper charts; use the current edition and still read the individual chart's title, notes and cautions.

NP100, The Mariner's Handbook, supplies general information useful to mariners, while NP136, Ocean Passages for the World, supports ocean-route planning. Neither replaces the current chart, route-specific Sailing Directions, warnings, notices, weather, tide information or the skipper's appraisal of vessel and crew.

Admiralty Sailing Directions (Pilots) are a series of volumes covering the world's coastlines. They describe the coast, harbours, approaches, local conditions, pilotage notes, and anchorages in far greater detail than any chart can show. They are invaluable for passage planning and entering unfamiliar ports.

ADMIRALTY Lists of Lights and Fog Signals provide details of significant fixed and floating aids within their published coverage, including light characteristics, structures and fog signals. ADMIRALTY Tide Tables provide predictions and secondary-port data within their published coverage. Confirm the volume, edition, update status and geographic scope before relying on either.