PocketCharts

The new NOAA PocketChart™ is a special-purpose map for beginning recreational boaters. Beginning boaters can use the PocketChart to help answer their two most frequent questions: "Where am I?" and "How do I get to…?" This inexpensive, introductory charting product has a miniature NOAA nautical chart on one side, and safety, boating, and educational information on the reverse side. PocketCharts may be purchased for about $6 each from numerous retail outlets serving boaters. NOAA reassembles that PocketChart with the most up-to-date information every time a chart changes.

Chart Side
The chart side is a complete, full-color NOAA chart that has been reduced in scale. (On average, the charts are 34% of full scale.) The primary text is legible, but text that appears small on the full-scale charts is even smaller on these reduced-scale charts. The result is suitable for its intended use as a locator, but is not suitable for real navigation.

Additionally, an overlay has been added to the chart to help boaters use the PocketChart as a locator. For certain populated places that are important to recreational boaters, the chart has been overlaid with enlarged text. Key aids to navigation, visible landmarks, and water bodies have also been highlighted to help with visual navigation.

Picture of the front cover of a NOAA PocketChart that is folded up.

Reverse Side
When the PocketChart is folded, part of the reverse side becomes a cover with the chart title and a small sketch of the area the chart covers. The rest of the reverse side is a mix of safety, educational, and boating information that is compiled from federal, state, and cooperating private sources. Some of the information is specific to the chart, and some information applies to all areas. The reverse-side information differs from chart to chart.

Reverse-side information may include:

Selected information from the United States Coast Pilot®
Table 2 tide correctors
Safety information from U.S. Coast Guard publications
State rules and regulations (e.g., boating education regulations) and boat licensing requirements
Nautical chart design and usage information
U.S. Coast Guard navigation rules
National Estuarine Research Reserve information
Weather information and warnings

This information will increase the safety and enjoyment of a beginner's boating experience.