Business & Partnerships

Coast Survey procures and oversees hydrographic surveying and related support services from contractors, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part, Subpart 36.6, Architect-Engineer Services. Contracting opportunities are published at FedBizOpps.gov. NOAA hydrographic surveying services opportunities appear under procurement classification code, C-Architect and Engineering Services. Use the search term "hydrographic."

NOAA ENC®

NOAA has established certification requirements for applicants who want to redistribute NOAA electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENC) as official data. This certification assures that the the quality of official NOAA ENC data is maintained, even when redistributed through an outside vendor.

Two types of certification are available:

• Certified NOAA ENC Distributor (CED), covers NOAA ENC downloading, exact copying, and redistribution of those copies.

• Certified NOAA ENC Value Added Distributor (CEVAD), permits reformatting official NOAA ENC into a System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) using type-approved software, and distribution of that SENC.

NOAA maintains a current list of CEDs and CEVADs which offer our products.

Questions about the CED/CEVAD certification process can be submitted through NOAA’s Nautical Inquiry & Comment System.

NOAA Paper Nautical Charts

Coast Survey has established a process by which third parties may be certified to download, redistribute, repackage, or in some cases, reformat official NOAA paper nautical charts, and have those charts retain their official status. These official charts meet the requirements for mandatory carriage of nautical charts as published in Title 33 and Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Instructions for becoming a certified NOAA paper chart distributor can be obtained by submitting an information request through NOAA’s Nautical Inquiry & Comment System.

NOAA Navigation Services is a collective of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey (OCS), Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (COOPS), National Geodetic Survey (NGS), and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), whose core mission functions serve the maritime community. NOAA Navigation Services help identify navigational challenges facing the marine transportation system, and provide the resources and services that promote safe and efficient navigation. NOAA Navigation Services works directly with federal and state agencies, pilots, mariners, port authorities, and recreational boaters to address challenges faced on the nation's waterways.

Center for Operational Products and Services

The Center for Operational Products and Services (CO-OPS) provides tides, water levels, currents and current information and maintains the Physical Oceanographic Real Time Systems (PORTS®) Along with The Office of Coast Survey, the National Geodetic Survey, and the Integrated Ocean Observing System, CO-OPS is one of the Foundation Four offices which provides navigation services to our nation.

National Geodetic Survey

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) provides aerial photography, shoreline mapping, and horizontal and vertical reference systems. Along with The Office of Coast Survey, the Center for Operational Products and Services, and the Integrated Ocean Observing System, NGS is one of the Foundation Four offices which provides navigation services to our nation.

Integrated Ocean Observing System

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a national-regional partnership that leads the integration of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing capabilities. Along with The Office of Coast Survey, the Center for Operational Products and Services, and the National Geodetic Survey, IOOS is one of the Foundation Four offices which provides navigation services to our nation.

National Centers for Environmental Information

The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) hosts and provides public access to one of the most significant archives for environmental data on Earth and is the primary repository for Coast Survey hydrographic data.

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) operates the four NOAA ships that are primarily used for hydrographic survey operations. These ships are run by a combination of NOAA Commissioned Officers and wage marine civilians, who provide mission support and assistance. OMAO also operates the NOAA Small Boat Program, which ensures that boats, such as our those used by our navigation response teams meet or exceed standards for safety, construction, and operation.

NOAA coordinates with our federal partners on data exchanges, collection, and distribution of products.

United States Coast Guard

NOAA and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) work closely together to ensure accurate chart update information is provided to mariners. The Coast Guard provides NOAA with updated information on aids to navigation, bridge clearances, and traffic separation schemes, which are used to update NOAA’s nautical charts. NOAA cartographers provide the Coast Guard with updates which are published as chart corrections weekly in Local Notice to Mariners (LNM). This includes information on shoaling, wrecks, obstructions, and channel conditions (received from the United States Army Corps of Engineers). NOAA provides the USCG with over 50 percent of the chart updates found in LNMs. NOAA and the Coast Guard have also worked together over the last several years to ensure their respective navigation databases, such as aids to navigation, geographic features, and the Coast Guard’s Light List are consistent and accurate.

United Army Corps of Engineers

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is NOAA’s largest supplier of chart update information. NOAA relies exclusively on the Corps of Engineers to provide survey and tabular information concerning the 926 federal harbor channel projects that support the U.S. port system so that they can be accurately portrayed on nautical charts and included in USCG LNMs and NGA NMs.

Naval Oceanographic Office

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO),  the largest subordinate command within the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, is responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements of the Department of Defense. While NOAA is responsible for surveying and charting waters within the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), NAVOCEANO primarily conducts hydrographic surveys in foreign waters in support of military requirements. Occasionally, NAVOCEANO will conduct hydrographic surveys in U.S. territorial waters. These surveys may be furnished to NOAA for application to NOAA’s nautical charts.

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), partners with NOAA to provide critical nautical information to the general public. While NOAA is generally responsible for publishing charts of the coastal U.S., NGA publishes open ocean charts, as well as charts of some Pacific Islands and charts that may cover foreign waters. NGA’s also publishes the US Notice to Mariners (NM). NMs correct NGA and NOAA charts using information collected from many sources, among them the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices.

United States Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey provides information on official geographic names that appear on NOAA charts. Other information from USGS, such as deepwater bathymetric surveys and shoreline surveys may also be included on NOAA charts.

U.S. Geological Survey provides information on official geographic names that appear on NOAA charts. Other information from USGS, such as deepwater bathymetric surveys and shoreline surveys may also be included on NOAA charts.

U.S. Geological Survey provides information on official geographic names that appear on NOAA charts. Other information from USGS, such as deepwater bathymetric surveys and shoreline surveys may also be included on NOAA charts.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) works with NOAA on marine boundary issues and provides information on offshore oil rigs to be included on NOAA charts.

United States Power Squadrons^®

NOAA and the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) have worked together for over 40-years to program called Cooperative Charting. Under this program, the USPS provides NOAA with valuable information, which is used to update our nautical charts and the U.S. Coast Pilot.

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a 30,000 member recreational boating organization that reports chart discrepancies to NOAA through the Chart Update program.

ActiveCaptain

NOAA has partnered with ActiveCaptain to help guide our chart updates and survey planning efforts.

NOAA has partnered with ActiveCaptain to help guide our chart updates and survey planning efforts.

NOAA has partnered with ActiveCaptain to help guide our chart updates and survey planning efforts.

International Hydrographic Organizations

NOAA actively partners with international organizations and hydrographic offices to advance nautical charting and hydrography. More information about these partnerships can be found on our International Activities webpage.

International Center for Electronic Navigational Charts

NOAA is a member of the International Center for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC), which works to ensure safe navigation at sea by helping to ensure that our Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) are compliant with international standards, consistent, and readily available for use. IC-ENC also serves as a distributor for NOAA’s ENCs, which meet USCG carriage requirements.

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center

The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center (CCOM/JHC) is a formal cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and NOAA whose aim is to create a national center for expertise in ocean mapping and hydrographic sciences. CCOM, a complementary university center, expands the scope of ocean mapping interaction and collaboration with the private sector, other government agencies, and other universities.

University of Maryland and Montgomery College

NOAA has collaborated with University of Maryland, College Park and Montgomery College to teach part of the curriculum for the certification program in cartography (CAT-B). The goal of this program is help to improve the way we evaluate incoming survey and other source data, update electronic and raster navigational charts, prepare notices to mariners, and manage the distribution of the charting products.

The University of Maryland, College Park is providing training in GIS analysis and spatial modeling, which address the concepts, tools, and techniques of GIS modeling (vector- and raster‐based modeling).

Montgomery College is providing training on cartography and map design in areas, such as manual computer graphics techniques for map making, implementing various styles and techniques associated with cartographic design, compiling thematic cartographic projects using geospatial resources in the US and abroad, interpretation skills, analysis of chart design parameters, and an academic overview of various styles and techniques associated with cartographic design.

University of Southern Mississippi

The Office of Coast Survey funds a research grant, through the Northern Gulf Institute, to the University of Southern Mississippi's Hydrographic Sciences Research Center. This grant funds the research and development of hydrographic systems and technologies, including the test and development of autonomous surface vehicles suitable for extended hydrographic survey operations.

University of Massachusetts-Darthmouth

NOAA has partnered with the University of Massachusetts-Darthmouth’s Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Modelling Laboratory (MEDML) on incorporating National Ocean Service (NOS) requirements for Operational Forecast Systems into the development and update cycle of the unstructured grid, Finite-Volume, primitive equation Community Ocean Model (FVCOM).