Notice to mariners from NOAA, 29 October 2013:
NOAA’s Office of
Coast Survey, which creates and maintains the nation’s suite of
over a thousand nautical charts of U.S. coastal waters, today announced major
changes ahead for mariners and others who use nautical charts. Starting April
13, the federal government will no longer print traditional lithographic (paper) nautical charts,
but will continue to provide other forms of nautical charts, including print on
demand charts and versions for electronic charting systems.
Since
1862, those lithographic nautical charts -- available in marine shops and other
stores -- have been printed by the U.S. government and sold to the public by
commercial vendors. The decision to stop production is based on several
factors, including the declining demand for lithographic charts, the increasing
use of digital and electronic charts, and federal budget realities.
“With the
end of traditional paper charts, our primary concern continues to be making
sure that boaters, fishing vessels, and commercial mariners have access to the
most accurate, up-to-date nautical chart in a format that works well for them,”
said Capt. Shep Smith, chief of Coast Survey’s Marine Chart Division.
“Fortunately, advancements in computing and mobile technologies give us many
more options than was possible years ago.”
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