National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 2, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is announcing the distribution of Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) to the public via the Internet. These RNCs have primary application in navigation and geographic information systems. Providing mariners with more timely and accurate information via the Internet is expected to improve their decision-making capability in an often rapidly changing marine environment, thus improving marine safety and reducing the risk of accidents, including injury to people, property, the environment, and local economies. Paper versions of the nautical charts will continue to be available from existing sources. In addition, NOS is announcing the availability of a public service by which fully updated versions of NOAA nautical charts are posted on the Internet in a manner that they may be readily examined on-line. The intent of this service is to make the updated charts easily accessible anywhere for use as a planning and reference tool. Access to the on- line, nautical chart viewer can be had from https:// www.NauticalCharts.gov/viewer.