jump to textJump to links navigation.gif NOAA
About Us
What's New?
Navigational Charts and Related Products
Critical Corrections
Wrecks and Obstructions
Navigation Services
Hydrographic Surveys
Historic Maps and Charts
Research and Development
Sales Information
Library
FAQs
Contact Us
Home


Office of Coast Survey Text

Nautical Products - navigation
line
Coast Pilot
Print on Demand
Navigational Charts
Raster Nautical Charts
Electronic Navigational Charts
line

The Navigational Chart is one of the most fundamental tools available to the mariner. Charts are available in various formats as described below. A Nautical Chart is a graphic portrayal of the marine environment showing the nature and form of the coast, the general configuration of the sea bottom including water depths, locations of dangers to navigation, locations and characteristics of man-made aids to navigation and other features useful to the mariner. View an example of a chart section. The Nautical Chart is essential for safe navigation. In conjunction with supplemental navigational aids, it is used by the mariner to lay out courses and navigate ships by the shortest and most economically safe route. The importance of Nautical charts is evident with over 98% of the nation’s cargo carried by waterborne transportation.

NOAA's Nautical Chart products are available in various formats.

  • NOAA's Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a vector- based digital file containing marine features suitable for marine navigation. It is based on the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S- 57 standard. The NOAA ENCs are available free via the internet at: http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm

  • NOAA's Raster Nautical Chart (RNC) is a georeferenced, digital image of a paper chart which can be used in a raster chart system. The NOAA RNCs are distributed by Maptech http://www.maptech.com, and are available for sale the day after NOAA releases a New Edition.

  • NOAA's Nautical Chart, Print-on-Demand (POD) version is equivalent to the traditional paper chart with two significant enhancements. The POD charts are updated continuously with Notice to Mariner corrections, and are available four to six weeks prior to the traditional paper chart for new edition printings. Print-on-Demand versions are distributed by OceanGrafix, http://www.OceanGrafix.com

  • NOAA's Notice to Mariners Chart Updates are available through a data-driven web site. The corrections are listed by chart and are updated as soon as the chart files are edited by NOAA cartographers. Chart Updates are available at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/updates/index.htm

  • NOAA's Lithographic Nautical Charts are the traditional paper charts that are updated with each new edition. The paper charts are are available from your local nautical chart agent, or by contacting the FAA Distribution Division at:

      FAA Distribution Division, AVN-530
      National Aeronautical Charting Office
      Greenbelt, MD 20770-1479
      Telephone: (301) 436-8301
      (800) 638-8972 toll free, U.S. only
      Fax: (301) 436-6829
      Email: 9-AMC-chartsales@faa.gov

    NOAA's traditional paper chart distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Geospatial Agency (NGA) are available six to eight weeks after NOAA releases a New Edition. This is the time required to print and warehouse the traditional paper chart.

  • NOAA's Coast Pilot® consists of a series of nautical books that supplements the nautical charts. They include a variety of information essential to marine navigation. The Coast Pilot are available on the internet for viewing or downloading at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot.htm

    Coast Pilots are also available from your local nautical chart agent, or by contacting the FAA Distribution Division at:

      FAA Distribution Division, AVN-530
      National Aeronautical Charting Office
      Greenbelt, MD 20770-1479
      Telephone: (301) 436-8301
      (800) 638-8972 toll free, U.S. only
      Fax: (301) 436-6829
      Email: 9-AMC-chartsales@faa.gov


For questions about Noaa's Nautical Chart products, please click Here for NOAA's Nautical Chart Product Inquiry page.

To report discrepancies on Noaa's Nautical Chart products, please click Here for NOAA's Nautical Chart Product Discrepancy page.


Example of a Nautical Chart Section
Nautical Chart Section

508 navigation insert
Top line
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
National Ocean Service

Revised Tuesday October 26 2004by OCS Webmaster