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Prior to publication of the 1st edition in 2000 information on communications yachtsmen may need necessitated carrying the 8 ALRS volumes, together prohibitively bulky and expensive. NP289 carries all this information - and much more - for the yachtsman cruising the UK and Mediterranean.
This 409pp 2nd edition, with price maintained at a most reasonable £15, is completely updated with much additional information, and introduces colour most attractively throughout the text. With monthly amendments available at www.nms.ukho.gov.uk it can easily be kept up-to-date. The recent closure of radiofax from Bracknell, still listed, demonstrates the need for this, and details of changes to its replacement by Northwood will be in NtoM week 25/01.
Contents are now more logically arranged, sections covering GMDSS, DSC, SafetyNET, Navtex; Radio Facsimile, Safety and Weather, VHF management, Coast Radio Stations; Marinas, Ports and VTS; Satellite systems. Useful appendices cover Search and Rescue areas, the Beaufort Scale and the International Code of Signals. Additionally, and most valuably, for each marina or port are given accurate coordinates, VHF channels, telephone numbers, tidal access/lock opening times, office opening times, email addresses and web sites, together with many excellent aerial photographs.
There is inevitably much overlap in information with nautical almanacs, but NP289 appears highly authoritative and invites users corrections on a submission form. Subsequent volumes will cover the Azores and Gibraltar to the Caribbean (NP290, 2001) and Baltic (NP291, 2002); publication cycle is 2 years.
NP289 should be regarded as indispensable and have a place on every safety-conscious yachtsman's bookshelf. Economically priced it can be highly recommended.
RMG