NAVTEX

An international automated radio service that broadcasts maritime safety information to ships in coastal and sea areas.

NAVTEX transmits navigational and meteorological warnings, forecasts, search-and-rescue information and other urgent messages by narrow-band direct printing. Receivers identify transmitting stations and message categories and can suppress many unwanted repeats while retaining mandatory safety categories.

International NAVTEX commonly uses 518 kHz in English, with other frequencies used for national or additional services. Coverage, schedules and reception depend on station, propagation, antenna and interference, so missed broadcasts must be supplemented by other official maritime safety information sources.