Pacific Services Center

Safe Navigation

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Promoting safe navigation, because accurate and timely navigation services are critical to safety, economic productivity, and environmental protection. NOAA charts are vital to the safe passage of ocean-going commerce. Annually, over $500 billion in Pacific-wide commerce depends on marine transportation. Of that, $150 billion is direct, U.S. investment.

Pupukâhi i holomua, unite to move forward.

The "lifelines" of transportation and communication are of utmost importance to people living on islands. Ensuring that these systems are maintained and protected is a large undertaking. As our elders say, "A`ohe hana nui ka alu`ia," no task is too big when done together. NOAA's Pacific Services Center (PSC) strives to work with its partners to support activities that enhance the integrity of lifelines and reduce their vulnerability-through appropriate, effective, and improved products and services. Working together, while respecting the individual and honoring the group, helps to preserve our Pacific Island natural resources and promotes the well-being of local communities. PSC strives to incorporate these values and knowledge when serving the needs of the Pacific.

NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts

NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (NOAA ENC®s) have been developed to support safe navigation in U.S. waters and are available for free download. NOAA ENC®s are in International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-57 format, which is the data standard developed by the IHO to be used for the exchange of digital hydrographic data. NOAA ENCs can also be used for non-navigational purposes in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In order for NOAA ENC®s to be used in GIS, the data must be translated from S-57 to a GIS-friendly format. The resulting data can be used for a variety of non-navigational purposes that involve geospatial analyses.

To download NOAA's electronic navigation products, visit: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/csdl/ctp/encdirect_new.htm

Nautical Charting Products

NOAA produces and maintains a suite of nautical charts that cover the coastal waters of the U.S. and its territories. NOAA's charts are available in a variety of formats, including:

• Traditional paper charts
• Print-on-Demand charts: up-to-date paper charts with current Notice to Mariners corrections
• Raster Navigational Charts® (NOAA RNCs): bitmap electronic images of paper charts
• Electronic Navigational Charts® (NOAA ENCs): vector charts that conform to international standards

NOAA also produces several nautical publications. For example, the United States Coast Pilot® is a series of nautical books with a variety of important information for navigators to supplement the nautical chart. For more information, visit http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/charts.htm.