Outfit Management
The core activity of Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd is our chart management service, which ensures compliance with ISM legislation through the maintenance of chart and publication folios. Please note, the only cost of this service is the actual charts and books supplied and any carriage required to cover delivery charges.
The above process is controlled by our bespoke NES software which currently monitors and controls supplies for several thousand ships and office libraries. This system has been recently updated and builds upon the experience gained in running the service for many years and recent advances in new technology. A major advantage of upgrading our system is improved operational efficiency and the ability to offer web based access to the data within our internal database.
The new edition service can be tailored to meet specific customer requirements and can also be extended to include other services such as electronic chart supply.
Please check the following sections for further information:
SHIPS INDEX
Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd are able to provide computerised indexes, prepared in geographical or numerical sequence for any new vessels due to come into service.
If a completely new outfit is to be supplied, we can provide our own specialised indexes which will include all ports capable of handling the size and type of vessel in question. If necessary, these standard outfits can be tailored to suit the requirements of a particular ship or fleet of ships.
Alternatively, if the ship is already in service, the content of the outfit can be achieved by furnishing us with a complete chart and publication inventory, which is then entered into our computer system to produce a dedicated index. Any out of date items will be identified and notified to the customer before supply.
Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd are able to provide computerised indexes, prepared in geographical or numerical sequence for any new vessels due to come into service.
- Information contained within the indexes normally consists of the following:
- Geographical listing of chart folios detailing each general area covered.
- Numerical section providing an easy cross reference for determining the folio and consecutive location.
- Map indicating the general limits of each folio.
- Folio lists showing consecutive number, chart number, title and edition date.
- Admiralty Sailing Directions (Pilot Books)
- Nautical Publications including Almanacs, Tide Tables, List of Lights & Radio Signals, together with other commercial publications (IMO, ICS, OCIMF, SIGTTO).
Variations of the above can be produced on request to suit particular requirements.
On completion, copies of the index are despatched to the vessel and an additional copy sent to the shipmanager for office use. Replacement indexes are provided annually, with updated pages available upon request. The index data can also be accessed via our web based chart management service ensuring that the office/vessel can view the latest copy of the index data at any time.
HOW IT WORKS
The Weekly Notices to Mariners contains a list of the new editions of charts and hydrographic books scheduled for publication within the next few months. This advance information, together with details of new publications received from other suppliers of marine publishers, are fed into our computer system on a daily basis. When a vessel is in our New Edition Service, each new edition of a chart or publication is automatically cross checked by our computer against each vessel's records in the database and where appropriate the item is recorded for inclusion in the next new edition consignment.
We will provide the Shipmanager/Owner on a regular basis, with a new edition advice which details all new editions required for a particular vessel. On confirmation by the Shipmanager/Owner of the items required, we will prepare the consignment for despatch to the vessel's nominated agent. It is important to note that we do not supply any new editions until instructed to do so.
Occasionally, the Shipmanager or Master may wish to add or remove charts and publications from a ship's outfit. Once we are notified with details of the exact requirement, our computer records are amended and any new items supplied with the next consignment.
From time to time, it may become necessary for the Ship's Master or local ship's agent to purchase additional charts or publications at the next port of call. This may happen when a vessel is diverted at short notice to an area of trade which is not included in the existing chart outfit. On these occasions it is very important that we are notified of the items purchased so that our computer records are amended to ensure correct monitoring of subsequent new editions.
All the above records are maintained free of charge, the only cost involved is for the items supplied plus carriage as required.
DESPATCH ARRANGEMENTS
The frequency of supply of new editions is normally agreed with the Shipmanager/Owner at the time of signing a new edition contract. This will vary according to the demands of a particular trade, so, to ensure that the ship's outfit is kept up to date, we recommend that a ship receives a consignment of new editions on a monthly basis.
- Frequency of supply can be:
- At regular periods, i.e. at the end of each calendar month, to a central distribution point or head office for onward forwarding.
- On demand, i.e. the Shipmanager or Master of a ship sends us forwarding instructions.
- Against a ship's movement list, i.e. consignments may be despatched to the vessel's next convenient port of call by the most appropriate means to ensure timely arrival.
Our staff have great experience in matching the most suitable delivery service to the customer's delivery schedule and we have agreements in place with several of the major courier companies. The high volume usage of these services provides special low rates which are passed on to our customers. Alternatively the customer may specify use of their own particular freight agent or courier service.
Advice Confirmation
To ensure a consignment of Notice to Mariners, Tracings and/or New Editions is received safely, we undertake to advise full flight and despatch details to the Shipmanager and/or Ship's agent as required.
CLIENT WEB SERVICE
During 2003, Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd launched a new value added service which is available to all subscribers of the new edition service. This service allows web-based access to the index information maintained within our chart management software.
The system is designed to allow both managers and individual vessels access to the information via unique usernames and passwords. The data held within the system is refreshed from our internal database every 4 hours to ensure accurate data is available at all times.
This access is included free of charge as part of our new edition service.
Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd are able to provide computerised indexes, prepared in geographical or numerical sequence for any new vessels due to come into service.
- The following services are currently available.
- Chart Catalogue Search - (Search the chart database by keyword or chart number)
- Publication Catalogue Search - (Search the publication database by keyword)
- Auditors Checklist - (Generate a checklist to monitor the vessels index chart corrections)
- Vessel Specific Index Data - (Detailed listing of publication sections, chart folio's and corrections)
- Vessel Index Search - (Quickly locate a chart within the vessels index)
- Vessel Chart Correction Data - (Generate weekly correction lists specific to the vessels index)
- Vessels Supply History - (View outstanding items to be supplied as part of our chart management service)
- Information Page - (Detailing recent new editions)
- Notice to Mariners Access
- Customer Service Advice
DIGITAL NAVIGATION
During 2003, Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd launched a new value added service which is available to all subscribers of the new edition service. This service allows web-based access to the index information maintained within our chart management software.
The system is designed to allow both managers and individual vessels access to the information via unique usernames and passwords. The data held within the system is refreshed from our internal database every 4 hours to ensure accurate data is available at all times.
This access is included free of charge as part of our new edition service.
Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd are able to provide computerised indexes, prepared in geographical or numerical sequence for any new vessels due to come into service.
- The following services are currently available.
- Chart validation
- Publication Catalogue Search - (Search the publication database by keyword)
- Auditors Checklist - (Generate a checklist to monitor the vessels index chart corrections)
- Vessel Specific Index Data - (Detailed listing of publication sections, chart folio's and corrections)
- Vessel Index Search - (Quickly locate a chart within the vessels index)
- Vessel Chart Correction Data - (Generate weekly correction lists specific to the vessels index)
- Vessels Supply History - (View outstanding items to be supplied as part of our chart management service)
- Information Page - (Detailing recent new editions)
- Notice to Mariners Access
- Customer Service Advice
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