What it is
"NSR Zones" is a reference layer on the rynda maritime map. The waters of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) are divided into separate zones. When you build a route, these zones are colored by admission mode — that is, by the conditions under which a vessel of your type may enter them.
An admission mode is the rule for passing a vessel through a specific zone, based on the ice situation and the vessel's characteristics. rynda shows it in three colors:
- Independently — the vessel may proceed without escort.
- With an icebreaker — passage is allowed only under icebreaker escort (the icebreaker goes ahead and clears a path through the ice).
- Prohibited — entry into the zone is not allowed for a vessel of this type.
Why it helps
The layer lets you see the overall picture in advance: where along the route the vessel can pass freely, where icebreaker escort is required, and where the way is closed. This is useful for a preliminary voyage assessment and planning — before you turn to official documents and permits.
How to turn it on and read it
- Build a route on the map.
- If the route passes through NSR zones, they are automatically highlighted with the admission-mode color.
- A legend appears alongside — a table matching colors to modes. It is shown only when the route actually crosses NSR zones. If the route stays outside these waters, the layer and legend are not displayed.
Look at a zone's color and check it against the legend to understand the passage conditions on that leg.
Limitations
- The layer is for reference only and is meant for preliminary assessment. It is not a navigation aid and does not replace official permits, the NSR navigation rules, or instructions from the administration.
- The coloring reflects a generalized admission mode and may not account for every specific condition of a particular voyage.
- The ice situation changes, so always verify against current official sources before departure and obtain the required permits.
- The legend and coloring depend on the built route: without a route, zones are not highlighted.
Use this layer as a quick reference during planning, and base actual passage decisions on official data.