Useful Info on Nautical Charts and Purpose of an Updated Chart

A nautical chart is a fundamental tool that can be quite helpful to the mariner. NOAA nautical charts are map that represents various configuration of the shoreline and also the seafloor. Additionally, it provides information on the depth of water, dangerous locations for navigation, various traits of aids to navigation, anchorages, and many other features.

The nautical chart is required by mariners for make navigation safer. They use the charts to plan/schedule voyages and navigate ships safely and cost-effectively. Federal regulations have made it necessary for most commercial vessels to carry nautical charts when they transit waters in the US.

Why is an updated nautical chart necessary?

Coast Survey cartographers make thousands of modifications to NOAA charts each year. Some are minor, while some are critical to safe navigation. Those critical iterations may include new obstructions, and the latest changes to navigation aids. Furthermore, shorelines keep changing all the time, due to natural forces or infrastructure improvements, so having a NOAA chart handy is a wise thing to do.

Where to get the updates?

The United States Coast Guard gives local notices to mariners, providing latest and essential navigational details. The National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency provides weekly notices to mariners for high-capacity vessels (operating in or more than 12 feet of water). You can also find information about chart corrections/modifications on NOAA’s weekly chart update web page on their official website.

Water-resistant paper nautical charts can be bought from a NOAA certified chart agent. It is convenient to order a chart online or have the chart delivered at your doorstep.

Benefits Of Technological Advancements In Marine Software

For an industry like maritime, which highly values capacity and efficiency, information technology is a great innovation. Construction and design of ships now involve composite materials and complex marine software to operate and run smoothly. Here is how marine software have made maritime industry functioning smooth:

• Advanced Navigation

Gone are days when ships used to rely on paper maps and an old compass. Marine navigation in the information age involves satellite communication, radar, radio, GPS, and digital maps. The variety of marine software allows ships to find the safest and fastest route even during undesirable weather conditions.

• Easy communication in open waters

Maritime workers need a way to quickly communicate not only with each other on the vessel but with those on other ships and with people on land. Local networks and internet access are essential to managing work. With advanced information technology ensures systems don’t face connectivity issues. A virtual private network (VPN) keeps sensitive maritime information away from cyber-attacks. It has become possible for system administrators to easily detect unusual user behavior through specialized marine software.

• Improved Safety

Perhaps one of the most disastrous things that can occur in the maritime industry is when ships accidentally hit and sink one another. Better communication systems can prevent this. Marine software and information systems protect the maritime industry against pirates and hijackers. Ships can use these to immediately change routes that can lead to undesirable situations. These digital systems are efficient to forecast bad weather or any time beneath.

The advent of advanced marine software have surely made traveling over water safer and efficient.