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UKHO Asks Sailors What They'd Pay for ADMIRALTY Paper Charts
Опубликовано · Последняя проверка Октябрь 2026
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is asking leisure and professional mariners what they would pay for reshaped ADMIRALTY paper charts. The online survey closes on 31 October 2026. It follows earlier research with more than 600 responses that found over 80% of respondents still use paper charts alongside digital ones.
What's changing
The UKHO says it has been exploring changes to how ADMIRALTY paper charts are produced, maintained and updated, to keep the service sustainable as demand falls. Two proposals came out of its earlier research:
- One chart scheme in two sizes, merging today's separate Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Small Craft Charts (SCCs).
- Pictorial corrections in place of text-based chart updates.
Both support the UKHO's plan to automate chart production and, eventually, maintenance.
What sailors said last time
- More than 80% use paper charts alongside digital charts.
- Paper is used most for planning before departure; about a third use it as their main way to navigate.
- Affordability was a significant concern, particularly among leisure boaters.
How to have your say
The survey runs on SurveyMonkey and is linked from the RYA's news story. It closes on 31 October 2026. If you navigate with paper charts, even only for passage planning, this is the moment to tell the publisher what price would keep you buying.
What are SNCs and Small Craft Charts?
ADMIRALTY Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) are the large, full-size paper charts used on ships and many yachts. ADMIRALTY Small Craft Charts are designed for leisure sailors: folios of smaller sheets that fit a yacht's chart table, often with marina plans and extra small-boat information. Merging the two schemes into one set offered in two sizes would mean one chart catalogue for everyone, rather than separate ranges for commercial and leisure users.
What is the UK Hydrographic Office?
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is the government agency that surveys UK waters and publishes ADMIRALTY charts, tide tables, Notices to Mariners and sailing directions used by ships around the world. Its data also sits behind many electronic chart apps and plotters, so changes to how charts are produced affect paper and digital users alike.
What 'pictorial corrections' could mean for you
Today, keeping a paper chart up to date means reading weekly Notices to Mariners and hand-marking corrections with a pen. Pictorial corrections would show the change as a small image (a tracing or patch) rather than written instructions, which should make it quicker and less error-prone for yacht navigators to keep charts current.
Key facts
- Who: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
- What: survey on future ADMIRALTY paper chart prices
- Deadline: 31 October 2026
- Proposals: merge SNC and Small Craft Charts; pictorial chart corrections
- Earlier research: 600+ responses; 80%+ use paper alongside digital