HOW TO GUIDE

Version 7.4 onwards

This ‘How to’ guide explains how to
use Voyager PLANNING STATION
for your most frequent tasks
If you would like additional help with Voyager PLANNING STATION at any time, click
on the small question mark / help button in the upper left of every Voyager screen.

There is also a series of useful ‘How to’ videos included on your Voyager USB.
These videos show you:

• Voyager PLANNING STATION overview

• How to create a route and order products
• How to import updates by web or email
• How to export AVCS ENC updates
• How to print weekly chart and publication corrections and set them to applied
• How to add charts and publications to your inventory
• How to request missing AVCS ENC updates
• How to request missing Tracings
• How to find the full NtM
• How to create trading areas to reduce update sizes

These videos are also available on our web site at www.gnsworldwide.com/support

Get Voyager Support

You can contact a member of your GNS Customer Service team 24/7 at
[email protected]. Alternatively, call the relevant number below:

GERMANY SINGAPORE
tel: +49 40 374811 0 tel: +65 6270 4060
GREECE UK
tel: +30 216 400 5000 tel: +44 191 257 2217

2
Contents
How to contact us 2
Recommended system requirements 4
SECTION ONE: WEEKLY TASKS
How to update Voyager PLANNING STATION 6
How to export AVCS ENC updates to ECDIS with and without V-DRIVE 7
How to update ADMIRALTY Digital Publications (ADP) and eNPs 10
How to print and view NavArea warnings 12
How to print tracings, blocks and NtM corrections 14
How to print paper publication corrections 15
How to export a chart correction report 16
How to update inventories and manage old editions 17
How to send a Sync update 18
SECTION TWO: FREQUENT TASKS
How to plan a route and order products 20
How to import AVCS ENC base or update disks 22
How to import a new AVCS ENC permit file 23
How to update your Voyager licence key 24
How to download missing AVCS ENC updates 25
How to find the full NtM 26
Use of T & P Notices to Mariners (NtMs) in ENCs 27
How to find active ADMIRALTY paper chart T & P Notices for a route 28
How to view MARPOL areas including ECAs and PSSAs 28
How to view MARPOL zones entry points and times for a route 29
How to change update method from web to email and vice versa 30
How to change the onboard edition of an item in your holdings 31
How to find the UKHO approval document for Voyager 32
How to find your Voyager vessel certificate 32
How to back up your Voyager data 33
SECTION THREE: ORDERING PRODUCTS
How to order products using Voyager INSTANT PERMIT 35
How to renew expiring and expired AVCS ENC permits 36
SECTION FOUR: ENC FUNCTIONS
How to use the ENC Viewer 38
How to validate a route and generate a report 39

SECTION FIVE: SET-UP

How to set up an ENC Update Trading Zone 42
Recommended
system requirements
Before you start please make sure your PC meets Voyager’s recommended system
requirements.

Please note: You will also need the admin rights for your onboard PC to install
Voyager PLANNING STATION successfully.

Recommended Requirements
The following requirements are recommended and are a requirement when using
Voyager’s ENC display and route validation tools.

Internet connection 3G, GPRS, Broadband, Wifi or Iridium Openport

Computer processor Intel Core i5 Processor (2.5 GHz Dual Core)
Computer memory 8 GB RAM
Hard drive 256GB SSD Hard Drive (20 GB spare)
Operating system Windows 10 Pro
Screen resolution 1366 x 768 pixels or higher
Printer (paper updates only) Colour inkjet

Minimum Requirements
If you are not using Voyager’s richer features such as the ENC viewer or
route validation then the following specification is sufficient.

Internet connection 3G, GPRS, Broadband, Wifi or Iridium Openport

Computer processor Intel Core i3 Processor (Dual Core 2 GHz)
Computer memory 4 GB RAM
Hard drive 256GB SATA Hard Drive (20 GB spare)
Operating system Windows 7 SP1
Screen resolution 1366 x 768 pixels or higher
Printer (paper updates only) Colour inkjet

4
Section one:
Weekly tasks

This section explains how to use

Voyager PLANNING STATION to help
you do the weekly tasks associated with
keeping your digital and paper chart and
publication inventories up to date and
compliant.
Helpful Tip
For certain processes detailed in this How to guide there may be different
instructions depending on whether you are using web updating or email update.
To find out which update method you are using, select “Configuration” from the top
menu bar in Voyager PLANNING STATION then “Update Settings”. Make a note of the
Update method displayed.

You can change your update method at any time by following the steps on Page 30
How to change your update method.
How to update Voyager
PLANNING STATION
The Voyager Update updates Voyager PLANNING STATION with the latest prod-
uct information. It is important to get these update every week to ensure that you
always have the latest updates for your digital and paper holdings.

If you are using Web updating to get your Voyager Update click on “Download”.
Voyager will download your updates immediately.

If you are using email updating, to get your Voyager Update click on “Import a Voyager
Update”. Browse to where you saved your most recent email update files. Select the
first file and click “Open”. Voyager will continue with all other files automatically.

A green line will appear to show you the process. During the update process you
will also see a small blue bar on the bottom of the window, where Voyager informs
you about the current status of the update process.

After the update process is completed, Voyager will ask you to restart the software.
Click on “OK”.
6
How to export AVCS ENC
updates to ECDIS
Click on “Create ENC update for my ECDIS” on right hand menu on the home page.
Alternatively you can also click on “Updates” on the Voyager menu bar.

The Updates window will open. In the left hand column click on “AVCS-ENC”. Note if
you are using Primar ENCs select Primar-ENC from the available options. In the next
column, select the year and the week for which you want to generate the update.

Now you have the chance to filter specific NtM week or update type using the drop
down menus.

From Top to Bottom:

a. Update Type (ENC/AIO)
b. Period (from week to week, or selected week)
The Voyager standard filter setting is:
a. Update Type (All)
b. Period (All)
7
Click on “Export ECDIS Update” and select your flash drive by browsing to its
location. The final result will have the same structure as on the Base DVD so that it
can be easily loaded into your ECDIS.

Take the USB stick to your ECDIS and follow the manufacturer instructions for the
update process.

Please note: Voyager exports AVCS in the AVCS Base Disc Format. This means that,
when you import into the ECDIS, you have to import folders in the correct order as
follows:

1. M01X02 folder
2. M02X02 folder
3. V01X01 folder (if you have AIO)

There are some ECDIS where you need to go one level deeper in the M01X02 and
M02X02 folders and import B1, B2, B3, etc

8
How to export AVCS ENC
updates using V-DRIVE
From the left hand menu on the Voyager Home Screen click Update V-DRIVE.
Voyager will prompt you to insert your V-DRIVE into the USB port of your PC.

To update, click Update V-DRIVE. Voyager will then gather up the Update files and
Permit required by your ECDIS and transfer them to the V-DRIVE. Your ENC PERMIT
files will be in INFO\PERMITS on the V-DRIVE.

Once you have successfully updated your ECDIS with V-DRIVE, re-insert V-DRIVE
into the back of bridge computer where Voyager is installed. You will then be
prompted to confirm that you have updated your ECDIS.

9
How to update ADMIRALTY
Digital Publications (ADP)
For the first computer you can do this update at the same time as importing the
Voyager Update file. Voyager will ask you at the end if you would like to update your
ADP software with the existing update file. If you click “yes”, the Voyager software
will update the ADP software in the background. If you would like to do it later, or if
you accidently click “no”, the following steps will guide you through the process. To
update the ADP software on another computer you should follow the same steps.

Click on “Updates” on the main Screen

The Updates screen will appear. Select “Digital Publications” from the
column on the left hand side of the window. In the next column select the
“period” and the “week” you want to update.

Click on “Export Updates” and browse to the location where you want to save the
update file.

10
How to update
ADMIRALTY eNPs
As with ADP updates on the preceding page, for the first computer you can do this
update at the same time as importing the Voyager Update file. Voyager will ask you
at the end if you would like to update your eNP software with the existing update
file. If you click “yes”, it will update the eNP software in the background. If you would
like to do it later, or if you accidently click “no”, the following steps will guide you
through the process. To update the eNP software on another computer you should
follow the same steps.

Click on “Updates” on the main Screen.

The Updates screen will appear. Select “Digital Publications” from the
column on the left hand side of the window. In the next column select the
“period” and the “week” you want to update.

Click on “Export Updates” and browse to the location where you want to
save the update file.

11
How to print
NavArea warnings
Click on “View active NavArea Warnings” on the right hand side of the main window.

The Updates window will appear. Select the week and year you require in the next
column. Double click on the row to open up the editor file showing you the
selected information.

Click on “File” and select “Print” or use the CTRL+P function to print the Warning.

12
How to view
NavArea Warnings
Navigate to the “PLANNING” section and simply click on “Navarea Warnings”.

Click “Submit” report.

Please note: If no information is shown within this section, this means that no
Navarea Warnings are applicable to the route.

In the PLANNING section, click “Passage Plan Options”, and select which additional
information you want to be shown within the report.

Please note: You can either choose All or tick specific areas.

Click “Save Passage Plan” or “Open Plan” to view this report.

13
How to print tracings,
blocks & NtM corrections
To print paper tracings, blocks and Notices to Mariners, click on “Manage“ on the
BA Paper Chart Corrections line.

The Updates window will appear. Click on “Print filtered NtMs” to print all
corrections including T&P NtMs. You can also select a specific period, a folio, active
or passive charts or the type of updates you require including NTM, Tracings, Blocks,
Cautionary notes, depth tables, T&Ps active and/or cancelled for which you wish to
download updates.

When you print out your tracing make sure that the printer setting is set on
“Actual size”. Click on “Print” to complete the process.

14
How to print paper
publication corrections
Click on “Manage” at the line of Paper Publication Corrections. This will bring you to
the Updates area in Voyager.

To print all updates at the same time, click on the field “Print Filtered NtM’s” below
the filter function. Alternatively if you only want to print a single NtM double click
on the specific correction you want to print. You can also filter corrections to select
only those for a specific period, active or passive or limit corrections to specific
sections.

15
How to export a
chart correction report
Click on “Updates” on the upper part of the main window.

The Updates window will appear. In the first column, select the product you require
e.g. “BA Paper Charts”. In the next column select the actual week for which you have
applied the chart corrections. Scroll down to the very end of that column and click
on “Export report”. A further column will open up where you can select to save as
PDF or CSV file.

Browse to the location where you want to save the file. You can then print this
report and/or file it. This works in the same way for all other options including ADP,
AVCS, ARCS and paper publications.

16
How to update inventories
and manage old editions
When you have old edition charts or pubs, Voyager will give a Warning on the left
hand side of your home screen. To update an inventory click on “Manage” in the
“BA Paper Chart Editions” line. These steps are the same when you click on “Paper
Publications Editions”.

The “Updates” window will open and Voyager will display all charts with an Old
Edition Date. Double click to select a chart.

The window that pops up when you double click allows you to change
settings of the chart e.g. the Edition Date. If you now click in the field with the date,
a selection field will open up, where you can change the date. After all changes are
done, select “Save”.

17
How to send a
Sync update
Sending a Sync update ensures that GNS’s systems are correctly synchronised
with your copy of Voyager and ensures we send you the correct updates for your
inventory each week.

When you have finished all your chart corrections and you have completed all your
updates and documentation, you now have to send an update of your database
to GNS. Note if you have Voyager installed on more than one PC, you only have to
send a Sync update for your main Voyager computer.

If you are using web updates:

If you are using web updates, when you click the “Send a Sync update” button,
Voyager will connect to our server and do the synchronization automatically.

If you are using email updates:

To do this, go to the Voyager home screen and click on “Send a Sync update” and
follow the instructions on screen.

Voyager will automatically open your email program and prepare the email. To
complete the Sync process just press send without making any changes to the
email.

18
Section two:
Frequent tasks
This section explains how to use
Voyager PLANNING STATION for other
common tasks for example, to support a
change of trade.

Helpful Tip
For certain processes detailed in this How to guide there may be different
instructions depending on whether you are using web updating or email update.
To find out which update method you are using, select “Configuration” from the top
menu bar in Voyager PLANNING STATION then “Update Settings”. Make a note of the
Update method displayed.

You can change your update method at any time by following the steps on Page 30
How to change your update method.
How to plan a route and
order products
To identify paper charts, an ENC or a publication required for a route click on “Plan
a new Route”

Voyager will take you to the Planning window. Select “Route Information” to open
an existing route file. The existing route will appear on the chart, in the top half of
your Voyager window.

You can also build a new route in Voyager, by selecting “new Route” in the from
“Route Information”.

To view the products required for the route click on “Products” on the left hand
column as shown above. In the next column you will be able to select the products
you want to use; in this example BA paper charts. The charts required for the route
will be displayed. Any charts that are not in your chart inventory will be shown with
a red outline.

20
You can select which charts you want to display, e.g. only harbour or costal charts.
At the end of your selection, click on “Submit”. Voyager will show up all charts that
you filtered, in the area of your route. Left clicking on a chart will display the chart
number. If you click on the chart number another field will appear that gives you
the options: “view details” or “add to basket”. If you click on “add to basket”, it will be
transferred to your basket directly, and you can continue with further orders

Your order basket will allow you to double click all items. When you are sure about
your order, just click on the left side on “Submit order”.

If you order electronic charts or publications, at this point you have the chance to
request the update file for the product you are ordering at the same time.
21
We recommend you do this to avoid having missing updates for ENCs you are
using.

If you do not tick the box to receive updates for the new ENCs you are ordering,
it is likely that Voyager will give you a missing update alert. To download missing
updates at any time follow the instructions on page 25 of this guide.

Your email program will open directly, after you accepted the terms of GNS for the
order and click “Yes”. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the ordering
process.

How to import an AVCS

ENC base or update disks
To import an AVCS base or update disks, first select the Updates tab from the
Voyager home screen.

Select “Folder/Disc Import”.

Browse to the location of the ENC base or update disc you wish to import from the
“Browse for Folder” window.
Select “OK” to begin the import.
You can watch progress of the import in the blue Info Bar at the bottom of the
screen.
Repeat this process for both the second disk and AIO disk

22
How to import a new
AVCS ENC permit file
To import a new AVCS permit file into your Voyager software, click on
“Manage ENC Permits”.

Voyager will open the Holdings window. Select “Import permits”.

23
A window will appear that gives you the chance to browse to the position where
you stored the received Permit.txt file.

How to update your

Voyager licence key
Your Voyager licence key unlocks the different functionality provided by
Voyager. You will receive a new licence key when you renew your Voyager
subscription or if you add additional modules during your subscription period.

To update your licence key at any time click on “Configuration” in the upper right
part of the home window.

24
On the left side you now have several selections to change settings in your
software. Click on “Voyager Licence Key”.

Click on the next column on Import licence key. A window will open where you now
have the chance to browse to the location where you saved the new Licence key,
e.g. your USB Stick. Select the txt file “Licence Key” and click on open.

How to download missing

AVCS ENC updates
The process for downloading missing updates for AVCS ENC updates depends on
whether you are using Voyager’s Web or Email service for updates.

Web Service:
On Home Screen Select Manage Missing ENC Updates.
Select “Get Updates” and select “Get Selected Updates”
Confirm the warning
Missing updates will be downloaded and synced into your Voyager database

25
Email Service:
On Home Screen Select Manage Missing ENC Updates
Select “Get Updates” and then select “Get Selected Updates”
Voyager will create a missing update report. Follow the instructions on screen to
send this to GNS. Wait for the auto response to come back with the missing updates
and import into Voyager
Note: missing updates are sent to the email address linked to your Voyager
installation.

How to find
the full NtM
To find Section I, III, VIII
Select Updates > Miscellaneous Updates > BA NTM Sections, where you can select
the week you require.

To find Section II
Select Updates > BA Paper Charts where you can select the week you
require.

To find Section VI, V, VI, VII

Select Updates > Paper Publications, where you can select the week you require.

26
Use of T & P Notices to
Mariners (NtMs) in ENCs
The use of T&P NM information is considered an essential part of keeping
navigational charts up to date, but how do T&P Notices to Mariners work with ENCs
and how do you know if they are up to date?

Most countries now include temporary and preliminary information in their ENCs.
The information is received on the vessel as a normal ENC update or New Edition.
Some nations do not describe the information as ‘temporary’ or ‘preliminary’ in the
ENCs; they simply issue updates as required.

As Temporary NtMs expire they are removed as part of the weekly ENC update
process. As Preliminary NtMs become permanent, similarly these changes are also
reflected in the ENCs.

ECDIS Route Assessment tools automatically assess the T&P information in ENCs
because it appears as standard ENC objects and can be accessed from the ECDIS
pick reports.

Where countries do not include T&P information in their ENCs, the UKHO’s
ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (AIO) provides vessels with the information they
need as a digital data set that is displayed over ENCs in ECDIS, GNS’s Voyager and
other chart display systems to assist with passage planning.

AIO provides ADMIRALTY T&Ps where the ENCs do not contain T&Ps and where
there is ADMIRALTY paper chart coverage. To avoid duplication, AIO does not show
ADMIRALTY paper T&Ps where the producer nation includes this information in
their ENCs.

Subscribers to Voyager PLANNING STATION paper updating services also have ac-
cess to a list view of all ADMIRALTY T&P Notices to Mariners for an intended voyage
via the Planning module. For information on how to access this feature please refer
to the Voyager ‘How to’ Guide.

The T&P policies of individual countries can be found online at

www.admiralty.co.uk/avcs and in the INFO folder of AVCS and AIO discs.

27
 How to find active
ADMIRALTY paper chart
T & P Notices for a route
Frequently asked questions
1. In Planning > Create or import a new route
2. Select Products > Check ‘Paper Charts’ and click on Submit.
3. Click
Route on Updates, then BA Paper Charts, this will open to a 3rd level menu.
Planning
4. Click on Print Active Ts & Ps
312…How to get active
5. A progress indicatorT's &will
P's appear
for a Route?in the Info Bar to illustrate preparation of the files
6. Once this has been completed
1. In Planning > Create or import a new route
a window will appear with Active Ts & Ps for the
2.Route. From here
Select Products > Checkyou can
‘Paper print
Charts’ andthe
clickactive Ts & Ps. Click on Print then follow the
on Submit.
3. Click on Updates, then BA Paper Charts, this will open to a 3rd level menu.
4.on-screen instructions.
Click on Print Active T’s & P’s

How to view MARPOL zones

5. A progress indicator will appear in the Info Bar to illustrate preparation of the files
6. Once this has been completed a window will appear with Active T’s & P’s for the Route.
7. From here you can print the active T’s & P’s. Click on Print then follow the on-screen instructions

including ECAs and PSSAs

From the home page click the ‘PLANNING’ tab.

Click on the MARPOL toggle button in the map flyout menu to switch the layer on
or off.
The MARPOL Areas can be filtered in Overlays > Marpol.
Selecting an area on the grid will highlight the area on the map.

28
Selecting an area on the map will provide a pop-up option to display more
information.

How to view MARPOL

zones entry points and
times for a route
To plan your route and identify Marpol Special Areas, Emission Control Areas
and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas route intersections open Voyager PLANNING
STATION and select ‘Plan a New Route’ from the Voyager home screen What
would you like to do? menu.

Create or import a route and select ‘Marpol’ > ‘Submit’ from the Planning menu.
Voyager will calculate and display any intersected Marpol, ECA or PSSA areas along
the route.

29
The data grid results will detail the waypoints, legs and entry/exit position and ETA
for each area crossover point.

How to change update

method from web or email
and vice versa
Voyager offers two options for sending and receiving information 1) Web where
Voyager directly connects to the internet to transfer data and 2) email where
information is exchanged by emails with the option to select a maximum email size.

We strongly recommend you use the Web update method in order to ensure the
best user experience.

To change your update method from email to web (or vice versa) click the
Configuration icon on Voyager’s top menu.

30
Select “Update Settings”. Select from “Update Method” either Web Service or Email
Service.

For Web Update users: If required, update proxy settings.

For Email Update users: If required, set the vessel email address and file size limit.

Click “Save”.

How to change the

onboard edition of an
item in your holdings
If you need to amend the onboard edition held in Voyager for a Paper Chart, Paper
Publication or Digital Publications in your holdings at any time follow these steps.

Select the Holdings tab and then choose the Product Type of which you wish to
update the onboard Edition.

Find the item you wish to update in the grid. Double click on the appropriate item
in the grid to open the Item Properties window shown below.

Amend the onboard Edition in the field in Item Properties.

31
How to find the UKHO
approval document for
Voyager
You may want to print the UKHO Approval for Voyager and add it to NP133A for
example for easy reference.

To find the UKHO approval select Configuration from the top Voyager menu then
General Info and Approvals. Click on UKHO Compliance Letter –
Voyager 7. Click “Print selected” to print.

How to find your Voyager

vessel certificate
You may want to print your Voyager vessel certificate for inspection purposes.

To find your Vessel Certificate select Configuration from the top Voyager menu then
select General Info and Certificates. Click “Print selected” to print.

32
How to back up
Voyager data
As with all software and data, it is a good idea to make regular back ups of Voyager
so that is you do experience a problem with your onboard PC at any point you can
reinstate your Voyager information.

To create a back up click the Configuration icon from the Voyager menu and select
Data Settings and select “Backup”.

Click on the 3 dots to the left of Voyager Data Backup Location and use the
windows system box to navigate to either an existing folder or to create a new
folder. Then click “OK”.

The Backup button now becomes active. Click “Backup” to start the backup process.

You can also set an Auto Backup for your database only or full Voyager data by
setting Auto Backup Method to either Database or Full. You can also set the
frequency at which Voyager Backs-up.

Set the database location, either locally or on a network, and press save. Voyager
will auto backup at the frequency selected.

33
Section three:
Ordering products
This section explains how to use
Voyager PLANNING STATION to order the
navigational products you need.

Helpful Tip
For certain processes detailed in this How to guide there may be different
instructions depending on whether you are using web updating or email
update. To find out which update method you are using, select “Configuration” from
the top menu bar in Voyager, then “Update Settings”. Make a note of the Update
method displayed.

You can change your update method at any time by following the steps on Page 30
How to change your update method.
How to order
products using Voyager
You can order route specific products in the Planning tab. Products that are not
route specific can be ordered Catalogue tab. To order products for a specific route
refer to the instructions on page 20 in this guide.

Select the products you want and click Add to Basket. From here either select the
BASKET tab or click on Order Basket in Voyager’s top menu, check your basket and
when you are happy click “Submit order”.

Accept the GNS terms and conditions and click “yes”. Follow the instructions on
screen to complete the ordering process.

If any ENCs have been added to the basket an additional checkbox will appear to
tell you the file size and ask you to confirm you do want the file to be sent. We
recommend you do this to avoid having missing updates for ENCs you are using.

If you do not tick the box to receive updates for the new ENCs you are ordering,
it is likely that Voyager will give you a missing update alert. To download missing
updates at any time follow the instructions on page 25 of this guide.
35
If you are using Voyager INSTANT PERMIT, there is no change to the ordering pro-
cess. The only thing you will notice is that you will receive your ENC permits more
quickly - usually within 10 minutes of placing your order. If you are not using Instant
Permit, your order will take longer because it will usually need to be approved by
your company’s budget holder before GNS can process it.

What is Voyager INSTANT PERMIT?

Voyager INSTANT PERMIT is the name for the Voyager service that sends your ENC
orders directly from Voyager to the UKHO’s ENC permit system. This enables you
to get very fast access (usually within 10 minutes) to ENC permits whenever you
need them. This service is available to all Voyager users. If you would like to activate
Voyager INSTANT PERMIT please contact GNS and/or your office.

How to renew expiring and

expired AVCS ENC permits
To renew existing ENC permits ahead of expiry click on Manage ENC permits on the
right hand side of the Voyager home screen.

Voyager will take you to AVCS – ENC where you will be able to set Permit Status to
Expiring to view all expiring permits. Note this view will be blank if none are
expiring. Click on “Renew Permits”.

Use the checkbox to select the row(s) required, or click on the topmost checkbox
to add all the rows to the basket. When all required items have been selected, click
on “Renew Selected”. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the ordering
process.

To renew any expired permits, repeat the above steps for Expiring permits
but set Permit Status to Expired.

36
Section four:
ENC Functions
This section explains how to export the
ENC Viewer within Voyager PLANNING
STATION, highlighting the benefits.
Along with demonstrating how to
export an ENC Validation report, which is
particularly important for users who want
to identify hazardous areas within their
route.
How to use the ENC Viewer

The ENC viewer in Voyager PLANNING STATION is an optional, free of charge

service that enables you to view ENCs that you have licenced and use them for
route planning in Voyager PLANNING STATION in the same way that you can
view them on the ECDIS.

To use it, you will need to be running Voyager on a PC with an Intel Core i5
Processor with 2.5 Ghz, 8GB RAM and SSD Hard Drive.

Please refer to the Voyager Quick Start Guide section “Setting up the ENC
Viewer” for more information or contact GNS Customer Services.

38
How to validate a route and
generate a report
The Route Validation tool in Voyager checks between each waypoint to analyse
the route and compare the navigational data with the vessel’s draught, height
and other specifications. Validating routes before transferring to ECDIS reduces
the risk of the ECDIS route validation failing and streamlines the route and
passage planning process prior to the start of a voyage.

This feature requires Voyager’s ENC Viewer to be enabled and for the relevant
ENC permits for the route to be purchased and installed. If you do not already
have the ENC Viewer activated, please refer to the Quick Start Guide section
“Setting up the ENC Viewer” or contact GNS Customer Services.

The next step is to set up your vessel characteristics in Settings. Please be

careful to enter information relating to draught, UKC, etc. accurately as it will be
used by Voyager to complete route safety checks.

To validate a route in Voyager, navigate to the PLANNING section and simply

click on ENC Validation.

You have the option to click on specific hazardardous areas or tick ‘All’.

39
Once you click Submit, the Validation table will appear describing the type
of hazards that have been identified including waypoint, ENC cell and exact
position.

Please note: If an ENC validation table doesn’t appear, no hazards have been
identified within the route.

Your ENC Validation report can then be exported to make it easier to review the
route and for use in your Passage Plan.

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Section five:
Set-up
This section explains how to set up
Voyager PLANNING STATION to suit how
you want to navigate. This section is
particularly important for users of the
Voyager OPEN PERMIT pay as you sail
solution that want to make the process of
updating ENCs every week as efficient as
possible.
How to set up an ENC
Update Trading Zone
Use the ENC Update Trading Zone to limit the ENC updates you receive to only
those within a specific trading area. This helps make the weekly update process
faster and more efficient and reduces communication costs. When you choose this
option only those ENCs contained within the area you set will be kept up to date.
ENCs outside of the area will not. If your trading area changes you will need to
adjust the Trading Zone accordingly.
This option is recommended for users of Voyager OPEN PERMIT Pay as you Sail
service. Vessels with a fixed trading area may also find this feature useful.

All ENCs contained within this area will be kept fully up to date. If you change your
trading area, you will need to re-define the Trading Zone in Voyager to receive the
correct updates.
First, open Voyager PLANNING STATION and select ‘Manage VOP ENC Update
Zones’ from the Voyager home screen What would you like to do? menu.
Uncheck the ‘Enabled Updates’ column check box for all other Zones and click
‘Save’. Then select ‘Create Zone’ on the bottom menu. Note: If you already have a
VOP Trading Zone created then select ‘Edit Zone’.

On the map, zoom into the vessels area of trading and drop points on the map to
draw the shape of the vessels trading area. Join the last point to the first point to
complete the shape of the trading area.

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Note: You can make changes to this area by dragging any of the points on the map.
Click ‘Save’ on the bottom menu and select ‘Yes’ on the confirmation pop-up. Note:
You can also click the centre of the zone and select ‘Custom ENC Zone’ > ‘Save’ on
the map pop-up.

A pop-up will confirm the number of ENC’s contained within the area that are now
enabled for updates. Click ‘OK’ to close the pop-up.

Select the ‘Update Status’ menu to view the ENCs contained within the vessel’s
trading area that are enabled for updates. Note: Here you can also check for any
missing updates for the cells contained within the area.

Select ‘Home’ and click ‘Send and Sync Update’ from the What would you like to
do? menu. Note: A message will be displayed in the bottom blue bar when the sync
update is complete.

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Select ‘Download a Voyager Update’ from the What would you like to do? menu to
get all the missing updates for the vessels operational trading area.

If using V-DRIVE, plug your V-DRIVE USB into your Voyager PC and follow the
instructions on page 9.

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Service and Support
For service and support visit the help section in your Voyager HUB menu.
Alternatively email or call us. We are here to help, 24/7.

You can contact a member of your GNS service and support team, 24/7 at
[email protected] or by phoning on the numbers below:

GERMANY
tel: +49 40 374811 0

GREECE
tel: +30 216 400 5000

SINGAPORE
tel: +65 6270 4060

UK
tel: +44 191 257 2217

[email protected]
www.gnsworldwide.com

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