The Digital Nautical Chart® is produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and is an unclassified, vector-based digital database containing maritime significant features essential for safe marine navigation. DNC’s® 018, 026, 027, and 028 are produced in partnership with Canadian Forces Mapping and Charting Establishment Hydrographic Services Office (Esquimalt). Initial data collection of the database is from a portfolio of approximately 5,000 nautical charts that will ultimately provide global marine navigation between 84° North latitude and 81° South latitude and supports a variety of Geographic Information System applications.
The Digital Nautical Chart® database consist of 29 Digital Nautical Chart® geographic regions providing a complete worldwide footprint containing over 5,000 charts of varying scales between 84° North latitude and 81° South latitude and supports a variety of Geographic Information System applications. DNC’s® 018, 026, 027, and 028 are produced in partnership with Canadian Forces Mapping and Charting Establishment Hydrographic Services Office (Esquimalt). Digital Nautical Chart® portrays selected significant navigational features in a format suitable for computerized navigation and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. Digital Nautical Chart® is produced in the standard Vector Product Format (VPF) allowing for modeling real world features in digital geographic databases. The database uses a table based georelational data model and supports GIS applications such as mission planning, command and control, and situational awareness.
Scale: The Digital Nautical Chart® contains four library categories based on scale and purpose of the source charts including Harbor, Approach, Coastal and General charts, from largest to smallest scale, respectively. In addition, there is a single Browse library that acts as an index.
Accuracy: Absolute horizontal and vertical accuracy are expressed at a circular/linear errors at 90% probability. NGA strives to compile hard copy nautical charts with the most accurate depth information available. NGA charts are compiled from a variety of sources with varying accuracies. Information regarding the source data used for each chart comprising the Digital Nautical Chart® can be found in the Data Quality coverage of each library.
Content: The Digital Nautical Chart® database is based on and developed from the feature content of NGA and National Ocean Service hard copy charts. The features depicted are thematically organized into 12 layers or coverages including: Cultural Landmarks, Earth Cover, Environment, Hydrography, Inland Waterways, Land Cover, Limits, Aids to Navigation, Obstructions, Port Facilities, Relief, and Data Quality.
Key Info Shown: Marine geographic information is displayed in a digital vector or "smart" format. This allows the user to display only the information desired for safe navigation as an example.
Mission Area Application: This product contains vector data and feature content for thematically layered, relationally structured set of databases to support electronic chart display systems for the US Navy, US Coast Guard, government agencies and government/US military sponsored contractors. Public sale of Digital Nautical Chart in US waters is anticipated in the near future.