"NSR Zones" is a reference layer on the rynda.io map that colors the zones of the Northern Sea Route by a vessel's admission mode. The NSR waters are divided into separate zones; when you build a route, they are colored 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. The map 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. That gives you a preliminary voyage assessment 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.
Check a zone's color against the legend to understand the passage conditions on that leg.
Limitations
The layer is for reference only: 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 the ice situation changes — verify against current official sources before departure and obtain the required permits.
See also