NAVTEX

NAVTEX is the international automated service that broadcasts navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent safety information to ships on 518 kHz (English), 490 kHz, and 4209.5 kHz. It is a core element of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System under SOLAS Chapter IV. A NAVTEX receiver is required carriage for ships operating in areas covered by the service, printing or displaying messages within roughly 200 to 400 nautical miles of the transmitting station. It delivers Maritime Safety Information that satisfies part of the Worldwide Navigational Warning Service. Coverage and the receiver requirement are set by the sea-area provisions of Chapter IV.