NOAA 50th Anniversary
Office of Coast Survey
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce

Find Nautical Charts

Office Coast Survey

We are the nation’s nautical chart-maker. We are responsible for upgrading charts, surveying the seafloor, responding to maritime emergencies, and searching for underwater obstructions that pose a danger to navigation.

Highlights

The Great Lakes are getting a digital upgrade

ENC of Pelee Passage Southeast Shoal.
The Recommend Courses in Lake Erie are now in NOAA ENC® format. This bi-national effort includes Lake Erie’s 75 routes, which span both U.S. and Canadian waters.

Blog

NOAA cartographers review a traditional printed nautical chart.

Revised: 11/19/2020