As the name suggests, navigation charts are primarily designed for navigational purposes. A nautical chart presents most of the information useful for the marine navigator, including latitude and longitude scales, topographical features, navigation aids such as lighthouses and magnetic information, indications of reefs, water depth, and different levels of warning notices. Such information allows for both planning a safe course, as well as monitoring the progress while sailing.
- Distinction between navigation charts and maps
A nautical chart shows hydro graphic data, along with detailed information on water depths, tide predictions, obstructions such as rocks and shipwrecks, and also navigational aids. A map, on the other hand, focuses on landform, having information on a variety of geographic and cartographic products. A map will mostly represent topographical information.
- The advantages of using navigational charts
Digital nautical charts are slowly replacing the traditional paper chart systems. These top-quality electronic charts go beyond the use of navigation. The data standard to be followed for electronic charts opens up a wide range of possible applications. When organized in an efficient manner, these charts can provide maritime administrations access to some powerful, versatile databases to establish a geographic reference database for e.g., Vessel Traffic Service can be employed for search and rescue, and for various applications in coastal zone management systems. Digital marine geographic information will soon become a big part of the evolving global spatial data infrastructure.
You can buy digital navigation charts from various online stores and use them as an alternative to the physical charts.
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