Choosing official, up-to-date Australian charts is an important part of safe navigation and meeting applicable carriage requirements. In this guide, Boat Books explains the role of Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) charts and how selected AUS charts are also reproduced within the Admiralty series.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- What Admiralty charts include
- Australian chart carriage requirements
- AUS charts in the series
- Choosing suitable navigation charts
Navigating Australian waters starts with having official charts that are suitable for your vessel's area of operation and kept up to date. The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) is Australia's national charting authority and publishes official nautical charts covering Australian waters.
At Boat Books, we supply official Australian charts and nautical publications to help mariners select appropriate coverage for their voyages. But where do Admiralty charts fit in, and can AUS charts reproduced within the Admiralty series meet Australian carriage requirements?
What Are Official Australian Nautical Charts?
The AHO publishes and updates official paper nautical charts for the Australian Charting Area. Australian, Timor-Leste and Australian Antarctic Territory waters are covered by charts carrying the 'Aus' designation. These charts provide navigational information including depths, hazards, aids to navigation and coastal features.
Where Do Admiralty Charts Fit In?
Selected AHO-published paper charts are reproduced by the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) as part of its worldwide Admiralty chart series. Australian charts reproduced within the series can be identified by their AUS chart numbers.
However, the AHO notes that UKHO reproductions are selected primarily for their usefulness to large commercial vessels and may not always provide the largest-scale coverage available in regional or remote Australian waters. In some cases, a more appropriate AUS chart may be available directly through an AHO Distribution Agent.
Understanding Admiralty Chart Carriage Requirements in Australia
Australian carriage requirements vary according to the vessel and its operations. For domestic commercial vessels covered by the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), nautical charts and publications must originate from a relevant government authority or authorised national hydrographic office, be appropriate for the vessel's area of operation and be kept up to date.
This means chart selection is not simply about choosing an Australian or Admiralty-branded chart. Mariners need appropriate official coverage for the voyage and must maintain charts with applicable updates and Notices to Mariners.
AUS Charts in the Admiralty Series Explained
For mariners familiar with the Admiralty catalogue, AUS charts in the Admiralty series provide access to selected Australian chart coverage while retaining their AUS chart numbers.
However, because not every AHO chart is reproduced in the Admiralty series, mariners should check whether a larger-scale or more suitable Australian chart is available for their intended route.
Choosing the Right Navigation Charts for Australian Waters
Whether you're sailing along the coast or planning an offshore passage, selecting suitable official charts supports safer voyage planning and navigation.
When choosing a chart, consider:
- Your intended cruising area
- The chart scale and level of detail
- Whether it's the latest available edition
- Whether it's produced by an official hydrographic authority
- Applicable Notices to Mariners/updates
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) sets navigation equipment and chart carriage requirements for applicable vessels, while the AHO provides Australia's official charting products and updates for the Australian Charting Area.
Looking for official Australian charts for your next voyage? Boat Books stocks Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) charts alongside selected UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Admiralty charts and other nautical publications. Browse our range online or contact our team for help finding suitable chart coverage for your cruising area.
FAQs
Who publishes official nautical charts for Australian waters?
The Australian Hydrographic Office is Australia's national charting authority and publishes and updates official nautical charts covering the Australian Charting Area.
Are AUS charts available in the Admiralty series?
Yes. Selected AHO-published charts are reproduced by the UK Hydrographic Office within the Admiralty series and retain their AUS chart numbers. However, additional or larger-scale AHO charts may be available for some Australian waters.
What should I check when choosing charts for an Australian voyage?
Choose official charts appropriate to your area of operation and navigational needs, and make sure they are kept up to date with applicable chart updates and Notices to Mariners.
