1. How do I access the tool?

If accessing SCOWT for the first time, click on "Register to use the tool". Create an account - we'll ask for your name, email address and organisation, and ask you to set a password. Once successful, you'll be taken to the SCOWT home page. If you have already created an account, click "Login" at the top right, and enter your email address and password.

2. Does it cost to use the tool?

It is free to create an account, view the data layers and draw areas of interest. Each user can download 5 free shipping constraint analysis reports. Access to more reports, additional layers and more in-depth shipping and navigation risk analysis is available - just contact NASH via the "Contact Us" button at the top right of the home page and we can arrange demos and provide more information or quotes.

3. What is the source of each data layer I can view in the tool?

Each data layer in SCOWT has been carefully selected using NASH's extensive experience in maritime risk mapping. Data has been sourced from authoritative providers and information on the data source and licensing information for each individual layer is available within SCOWT. Open the "Layers" tab in the tool bar on the left and hover your mouse cursor over the layer title, and an information box will pop open. For any additional information please do contact NASH - click the "Contact Us" button at the top right of the home page.

4. How do I download a shipping constraints report for my area of interest?

TBC when journey finalised

5. How do I draw an area?

Click on the "Draw" icon in the tool bar on the left of the home page to access the drawing functions. There are two options: 1. Draw an area on the map or 2. Define an area using coordinates.

To draw an area on the map, click "Draw Area". A pop-up box will appear with instructions. Read the instructions and click "Proceed". A blue vertex dot will appear on your mouse cursor. Zoom in/out or pan the map (hold left click and drag) until you have the vertex dot positioned where you want to start drawing your area. Tip: you can see the latitude and longitude coordinates of your cursor in the bottom right corner of the screen. Left click to set the first vertex. Move your mouse cursor to where you want to position your second vertex, and left click to set the second vertex. Continue adding vertices until you have defined the area of interest. To complete drawing an area, move your mouse cursor over the first vertex again and left click. You must add a minimum of three vertices to create an area. On completion of an area, a pop-up window will appear and ask you to name the area. Give the area a name, click "Save" and the area will be added to your list of Custom Areas in the tool bar on the left of the screen.

To define an area using coordinates, simply enter the bottom left and top right coordinates in the appropriate boxes, in decimal degree format as longitude, latitude. Click "Submit" and a square area will be drawn at those coordinates. A pop-up window will appear and ask you to name the area. Give the area a name, click "Save" and the area will be added to your list of Custom Areas in the tool bar on the left of the screen.

6. How do I edit an area I've already drawn?

Click on the "Custom Area" icon in the tool bar on the left of the screen. Any areas you have already drawn and saved will be listed under "Your Custom Areas". Next to each saved area, there are three icons; Edit Polygon, Delete Polygon, and Generate Report. Click "Edit Polygon" and a pop-up box will appear with instructions. Read the instructions and click "Proceed". Hover your mouse cursor over the boundary line of your area and a blue vertex dot will appear. You can left click and drag to move the boundary line to edit the shape. When you have finished editing the shape, you will see a red "Save Polygon" icon in the "Your Custom Areas" list. Click the "Save Polygon" icon and a pop-up box will appear and ask you to name the area. You can keep the area name the same or edit the name. Click "Save" and the edited polygon will be saved to the "Your Custom Areas" list.

7. Can I download a shipping constraints report without drawing an area?

No, you must define an area in order to generate a shipping constraints report.

8. Can I draw an area larger than 1,000 square kilometres?

No, custom area size is limited to 1,000 square kilometres in the free version of SCOWT. Shipping constraint information is available for larger areas, please contact NASH for information.

9. How many reports can I download for free?

You can download 3 shipping constraint reports for free. If you find SCOWT useful and would like more reports or access to additional data layers, please contact NASH via the "Contact Us" button at the top right of the home page to discuss subscription or per-report options.

10. How can I get access to more than 3 reports?

For access to more than 3 reports, please contact NASH via the "Contact Us" button at the top right of the home page to discuss subscription or per-report options. NASH can then credit your account with additional report downloads.

11. Is SCOWT available for areas outside the UK EEZ?

At present, SCOWT has been developed to cover the whole UK EEZ but not beyond. This is due to the coverage of the input datasets that have been used. With access to the appropriate datasets, SCOWT can be configured to provide shipping constraint information for any area of sea space on the planet. NASH plan to expand the coverage of the SCOWT tool over time, but we would be happy to discuss bespoke developments of the tool to suit your coverage needs - please get in touch with us via the "Contact Us" button at the top right of the home page.