NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (2024)

Posted on April 15, 2021March 23, 2022 by noaacoastsurvey

On April 1, 2021, NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey released NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0, a dynamic map tool which enables users to create their own paper and PDF nautical charts derived from the official NOAA electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®), NOAA’s premier nautical chart product.

NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (1)

The online tool uses official NOAA ENC data to create nautical charts with customized scale and extent, which can then be downloaded as PDF files. The charts feature traditional chart components such as paper chart symbology – including NOAA-style symbols for aids to navigation and dangers to navigation, and a quality of data diagram. While these printable PDFs look a bit different from traditional paper charts, and initially will not meet carriage requirements for regulated vessels, NOAA Custom Chart utilizes the best available data, delivers an improved service for users, and ensures consistency between ENC and NOAA Custom Chart PDFs, resulting in the best quality chart regardless of the final format.

NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (2)

Additional improvements from the previous prototype version include a NOAA-style chart layout with marine notes and scale information, unit conversion table, the scale calibration note, and additional information and comment request notes. Zone of confidence (ZOC) diagrams are also included in version 1.0, which show the assessed quality of hydrographic data. ZOC diagrams provide information similar to that found in the familiar paper chart source diagram, with the assessment categories used on NOAA ENC products to provide more detailed information. The ZOC diagram and explanatory table with legend are found on the second page of all NOAA Custom Chart PDF files. Expanded chart notes appear on subsequent pages and include information about the chart, such as sounding and vertical datum, cautionary notes for the charted area, and information on where to access supplemental information.

NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (3)

NOAA looks forward to future enhancements, which include improved compass rose placement, enhanced text labels, options for use of additional types of chart symbology, and a subscription service where users can store chart download information and download updated versions when necessary. We are also in discussions with our Print on Demand (POD) chart vendors about the ability to provide printing services of NOAA Custom Charts in the future.

Traditional paper and raster charts are still updated on a weekly basis with critical navigation changes that are released in the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners. However, other changes, such as data from new shoreline and bathymetric surveys, and other non-critical changes – which are routinely applied to the ENC – are no longer compiled onto traditional paper and raster charts. NOAA will end production of its traditional paper nautical charts by January, 2025, but will continue to provide users access to paper charts created directly from ENC data via the NOAA Custom Chart tool.

NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (4)

A User Guide is available to help users navigate the NOAA Custom Chart tool. NOAA is actively making improvements to the NOAA Custom Chart tool, and is interested in hearing about users’ experiences and getting suggestions for additional enhancements. You can provide your input through the online ASSIST customer feedback tool.

Related to this release, check out the latest NOAA Ocean Podcast on the NOAA Custom Chart tool featuring Capt. E.J. Van Den Ameele, chief of NOAA’s Marine Chart Division, discussing how the transition from paper charts will affect mariners, why electronic charts offer many advantages over paper, and the NOAA Custom Chart tool.

  1. Want to appreciate all your efforts in this respect. Good thing.-Good thing. Thankfully, I recently unintentionally discovered your blog. I got it later bookmarked! Thank you so much for this detail. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. On NOAA page https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/updates/tag/print-on-demand-nautical-charts
    the link of “print-on-demand chart printing agents” is broken. Can you please fix the page?

    Reply
  3. The print view “scale” doesn’t change as you change view zoom.

    Some map details are broken and do not line up across maps. Try to zoom in on Depoe Bay, Oregon – map lines DO NOT ALIGN right on the north side of the area.

    You can’t save your view as a URL, so you can’t go back to it, you have to start over.

    As you change Intended Uses datasets, coastal lines change and do not match up. Overview is really way off.

    And they changed it form the traditional map appearance WHICH EVERYONE IS ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH to something else, rather cartoonish.

    Seriously?

    Reply
  4. Can I print a paper chart as of today March 13, 2023? I can’t see where to print or find chart?

    Reply
  5. I’ve been a supporter of electronic charts since I started using them in 1998. But I’ve never been a fan of vector charts, because of their lack of information above high water.

    Nearshore, with limited aids to navigation in my area, I set courses based on lining up landmarks like hilltops or the edge of land as a double check on the GPS (particularly after I had one plotter lock up on me). The raster chart allows me to do this, showing me what geography stands out (much of it based on land contour lines), rather than a series of yellow blobs. I also use clearing lines when I need to depart these courses, again using the same process to predetermine suitable marks. The other thing I like about raster, is that on a dark and stormy night I can see important information, such as light characteristics, at a glance, rather than having to right click everything in the area.

    Vector charts and GPS go hand in hand. But GPS can be affected by solar activity (cycle set to peak in 2025?). It is apparently also very easy to jam (see USCG Navigation Centre GPS Problem Report Status). There is also the issue of rising national tensions.

    What happens if the GPS signal is corrupted or goes away for even a short period?

    Navigators are supposed to switch their ECDIS or plotters to manual mode, then use pre-GPS navigation methods. But as noted, above high water, vector charts are pretty much a blank desert. Other than aids such as beacons and buoys, most visual and radar useful symbols (contour lines, topography symbols such as cliffs, etc.) have been removed. Any above high water marks that remain may be obscured by intervening land contours, but this will not be clear to the navigator. A few spot elevations could be isolated peaks or the highest points on a broad ridge, so are of limited value. This makes it difficult to fix with either visual bearings or radar (is the radar return from coastal cliffs or a ridge a mile or two inshore of a very low lying foreshore?). Therefore the manual mode of ECDIS will be of very limited value in many places.

    With currents and leeway, a Dead Reckoning or Estimated Position plot will soon be suspect, possibly creating a poor environment for decision making.

    Without charts that allow you to navigate using pre-GPS methods, a jamming or other event at a major port or choke point could turn into a National Security issue.

    Maybe I’ve just missed that there will be a layer that provides land contours, more shore marks, etc. Hope so.

    Reply

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NOAA Custom Chart version 1.0 released to the public – Office of Coast Survey (2024)

FAQs

Are NOAA charts public domain? ›

NOAA's nautical charts are in the public domain. You may use then for any purpose free of charge, with two exceptions: Paper charts that fulfill chart carriage requirements for regulated commercial vessels under Titles 33 and 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations must be purchased from NOAA-certified vendors.

Where can I download nautical charts for free? ›

NOAA PDF nautical charts are digital formats of the traditional paper charts, and are up-to-date to the day they are downloaded. PDF charts are free. NOAA Raster Navigational Charts (NOAA RNC®) are digital images of NOAA's entire suite of paper charts, updated continually with critical corrections.

How often are nautical charts updated? ›

A: Each week the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) issues the Notice to Mariners (NTMs) for ocean-going vessels, providing timely marine safety information for the correction of nautical charts.

Why nautical charts and publications must be updated to latest notice to Mariners prior to their use? ›

Notices to Mariners (NtM) are corrections to nautical charts and publications. NtM only contain information which is vitally important to safety at sea. Mariners are obliged to keep their products up-to-date with NtM until a new edition is issued.

Is NOAA public domain? ›

Images in the NOAA Digital Library are in the “public domain” and cannot be copyrighted. Unless otherwise noted in the credit or caption of the item of interest, you may use it without express permission. The one exception is our videos, as they often use third-party copyrighted footage.

How do I know if a map is public domain? ›

Public Domain

If it was created by the federal government or a federal employee. If the copyright for a map has expired (essentially any map created before 1923) If a map was published before 1989 without a proper notice of copyright. If a map doesn't meet “originality” or “minimal creativity” requirements.

How do I view NOAA nautical charts? ›

You can download an individual ENC and view it in a free viewer like Caris Easy View or use the online ENC viewer hosted on NOAA's Office of Coast Survey website. The ENC Viewer is an especially useful tool in that it allows you to query features by clicking on them.

Is there a marine version of Google Maps? ›

We believe planning a sailing trip should be just as quick and simple, which is why we created savvy navvy. Think of us as Google Maps for sailing, or as the only navionics alternative on the market.

How do I get Navionics for free? ›

Navionics offers a free Boating app download for Apple and Android. The free app download includes basic features and a limited free trial of charts and advanced features. After your free trial period, you will have access to base mapping only.

What is the most accurate nautical chart? ›

NOAA Charts

OceanGrafix uses proprietary technology to ensure that our charts contain the most up-to-date, accurate information possible.

Can you use GPS instead of marine charts? ›

Remember: You should always carry printed marine charts as a back-up in the event that your Marine GPS fails. Some Marine GPS devices may only be accurate to within 30 m, and an automotive GPS will not provide the information you need on the water.

What is the future of NOAA charts? ›

"All traditional NOAA paper nautical charts will be phased out by January 2025," says the agency. It has already begun to phase out individual nautical charts and will discontinue the production and maintenance of traditional paper nautical charts and associated raster chart products and services by January 2025.

Why you should not be without paper nautical charts on board a ship? ›

Why you should still keep paper nautical charts on board. For decades, paper nautical charts were one of the main navigation items aboard yachts and motorboats. They contain sea routes, shorelines, navaids, depth soundings, danger zones and restricted areas amongst other things, in order to allow you to navigate safely ...

What is another name for a nautical chart? ›

A nautical chart, also known as a maritime chart, is a specialised map used by mariners to navigate safely and accurately through waterways. These charts provide detailed information about the geography, depths, topography, and other navigational features of bodies of water such as oceans, seas, and rivers.

What is the difference between marine notices and Notices to Mariners? ›

Australian Notices to Mariners are issued by the Australian Hydrographic Office. Marine Notices are issued by AMSA and contain matters of National relevance.

Are NOAA images free to use? ›

Any images on our website created by NOAA are not subject to copyright in the United States and may be used without permission; we ask that you credit “NOAA” as the source.

Is NOAA data public? ›

Information within the repository created by or for NOAA is within the public domain. As such these works may be freely distributed and copied however, it is requested that in any subsequent uses of this work, NOAA be given appropriate acknowledgement.

Are government maps public domain? ›

Map services and data downloaded from The National Map are free and in the public domain.

Is NOAA private? ›

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is the federal agency, a division of the Department of Commerce, responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and their habitat.

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