World-Wide Navigational Warning Service

[2] The sinking of the MS Brandenburg [de] in the English Channel on 12 January 1971 prompted discussion on a better system to warn ships of navigational hazards.

[2] The division of the world into NAVAREAs was an early decision, with an initial 15 areas proposed in 1973 being expanded to 16 at the first IHO Commission meeting in 1974.

[2] (The NAVAREA in question, XI, was the only one not assigned a potential Area Coordinator in the 1974 and 1975 planning meetings.

Local warnings, not regulated by the WWNWS, are generally restricted to in-shore areas.

[7] A broadcast applicable to an entire NAVAREA is also extended 700 miles (1,100 km) beyond it, to alert incoming shipping.

The world's ocean is divided into 21 NAVAREAs , each of which has one Area Coordinator.