At the Helm of the UKHO
bathymetric survey data, collected through partnerships with over 120 other hydrographic offices across the globe and over 250 ports in the UK and Ireland."This collective effort enables us to produce the 20,000 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) that are currently in service via our ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS)," she said. "Distributed by a network of 100 distributors, our portfolio of ADMIRALTY products and services are used on over 80,000 vessels worldwide and around 3,000 Defence Service Delivery customers – supporting safe navigation and enhanced situational awareness
UKHO Creates High Density ENC of the Bristol Channel
. These are then confirmed within the software to ensure compliance with strict international standards for all ECDIS systems. Finally, these are manually checked by a cartographer to confirm accuracy. This charted area with high density contours was then issued digitally through the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS), allowing safety contours at key areas to be drawn by ECDIS with one-meter accuracy. This helps to reduce stress on the bridge and can give crews a greater degree of confidence on the approach for the safety of cargo and ship. Chris Berkley, a Master Mariner and Product
December 2025
