Equivalency
The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention Chapter V Regulation 19.2.1.4 states that all ships irrespective of size shall have "nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship's route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph".
Furthermore, SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 2.2 defines a Nautical Chart or Nautical Publication as "A special-purpose map or book, or a specially compiled database from which such a map or book is derived, that is issued officially by or on the authority of a Government, authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution and is designed to meet the requirements of marine navigation".
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) makes exemptions or alternative arrangements from the above requirements for certain types of vessel. For example: MCA Code vessels under 24 metres in length (see Marine Guidance Note 293 M+F); pleasure vessels below 150 tons (see Statutory Instrument 2002 No.1473; fishing vessels between 15 and 24 metres in length (see Merchant Shipping Notice 1770 F) and fishing vessels over 24 metres in length (see the "Fishing Vessels EC Directive on Harmonised Safety Regime Regulations 1999" and the "MCA Draft Code of Practice for the Construction and Safe Operation of Fishing Vessels of 24m registered length and over").
In addition to nautical charts and nautical publications covered under the above regulations, the MCA also recognises the following products as satisfying certain carriage requirements. Note that the downloadable "MCA Equivalency Letter" must be viewed in each case to determine the extent to which the product provides equivalency:
If you are a service provider of digital nautical data and would like the MCA to consider your product as satisfying certain carriage requirements, contact the MCA at: