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Nautical Charts: Online, NOAA, Antique, Digital
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Published: July 19, 2007
One of the oldest professions is that of the sailor, dating back the earliest eras of human history. While there have always been many tricks and traditions of navigation, one of the most important developments for mariners everywhere was that of the nautical chart. Nautical charts map the many bodies of water a ship must navigate and provide useful information for making any voyage.
The United States has one of the world's strongest economies and relies heavily on water based transportation of goods to support it. The US Department of Commerce makes it a priority to provide efficient and productive programs to ensure that the nation continues to thrive through its many ports.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the NOAA, which is run by the Department of Commerce, oversees many subdivisions that deal with weather, climate, and oceanic information. One of these divisions is the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), which is responsible for the mapping and charting programs within the United States government. They are responsible for developing specialized nautical charts for all bodies of water within the United States as well as charting the various bodies of water that immediately surround it.
The OCS works in the production of navigational products that are necessities for good commerce in the coastal regions of the US. A great deal of the OCS is directed toward the production of online resources, working with data such as real time current, nautical charts, and geographic information and making it available for the nation's many marine based businesses and naval divisions. Few realize the importance of making this information easily accessible online. With 98% of US commerce directed through marine-based transportation, and without current and relevant information, the operations become far less successful and productive. The OCS is directly responsible for roughly 1000 nautical charts and 9 volumes of nautical charts and maps used by navigators known as Coast Pilot publications. These nautical charts are generally updated as often as every 6 months and for remote areas as little as every 12 years.
The OCS traces its history back to 1807 and is the oldest scientific organization in the United States. Originally, nautical charts looked different from more modern charts, especially with the developments of online and digital charts. Antique nautical charts were generally hand colored because color printing was either unavailable due to cost or the low quality of color printing before 1880. It was a far more painstaking process to produce these now antique nautical charts before modern technology, which allows far faster, more accurate mapping to take place.
In 1926, the OCS branched out and began production of aeronautical charts in order to accommodate growing aerial travel and commerce. Around 1994, the OCS (then known as the Office of Charting and Geodetic Services) was disbanded and the subdivision dealing with nautical charts was elevated to the same position. This move solidified nautical charts as an area of specific expertise and importance within the NOAA. Today, the OCS still assists other organizations of the US in the production and development of nautical charts and also contributes to the International Hydrographic Organization.
Many might dismiss nautical charts as just another map, but these people would be very much mistaken. Nautical charts are more than just informative maps, as they are a necessary tool for anyone making their living at sea. These charts speed up business on waterways and in ports and they provide information that ensures efficiency at sea. From the information in nautical charts, the entire nation benefits environmentally, financially, and by increased safety and production.
Sources:
NOAA Backgrounders. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 3 July 2007. NOAA Office of Communications. 3 July 2007. http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/back.html
Appalachian Arts FAQ. Bud Rogers. 8 Sept. 2005. 3 July 2007. http://oldcharts.com/questions.html#second
Office of Coast Survey: A Brief History. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. 9 Dec. 2005. 3 July 2007. http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/staff/hist.html
The United States has one of the world's strongest economies and relies heavily on water based transportation of goods to support it. The US Department of Commerce makes it a priority to provide efficient and productive programs to ensure that the nation continues to thrive through its many ports.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the NOAA, which is run by the Department of Commerce, oversees many subdivisions that deal with weather, climate, and oceanic information. One of these divisions is the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), which is responsible for the mapping and charting programs within the United States government. They are responsible for developing specialized nautical charts for all bodies of water within the United States as well as charting the various bodies of water that immediately surround it.
The OCS works in the production of navigational products that are necessities for good commerce in the coastal regions of the US. A great deal of the OCS is directed toward the production of online resources, working with data such as real time current, nautical charts, and geographic information and making it available for the nation's many marine based businesses and naval divisions. Few realize the importance of making this information easily accessible online. With 98% of US commerce directed through marine-based transportation, and without current and relevant information, the operations become far less successful and productive. The OCS is directly responsible for roughly 1000 nautical charts and 9 volumes of nautical charts and maps used by navigators known as Coast Pilot publications. These nautical charts are generally updated as often as every 6 months and for remote areas as little as every 12 years.
The OCS traces its history back to 1807 and is the oldest scientific organization in the United States. Originally, nautical charts looked different from more modern charts, especially with the developments of online and digital charts. Antique nautical charts were generally hand colored because color printing was either unavailable due to cost or the low quality of color printing before 1880. It was a far more painstaking process to produce these now antique nautical charts before modern technology, which allows far faster, more accurate mapping to take place.
In 1926, the OCS branched out and began production of aeronautical charts in order to accommodate growing aerial travel and commerce. Around 1994, the OCS (then known as the Office of Charting and Geodetic Services) was disbanded and the subdivision dealing with nautical charts was elevated to the same position. This move solidified nautical charts as an area of specific expertise and importance within the NOAA. Today, the OCS still assists other organizations of the US in the production and development of nautical charts and also contributes to the International Hydrographic Organization.
Many might dismiss nautical charts as just another map, but these people would be very much mistaken. Nautical charts are more than just informative maps, as they are a necessary tool for anyone making their living at sea. These charts speed up business on waterways and in ports and they provide information that ensures efficiency at sea. From the information in nautical charts, the entire nation benefits environmentally, financially, and by increased safety and production.
Sources:
NOAA Backgrounders. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 3 July 2007. NOAA Office of Communications. 3 July 2007. http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/back.html
Appalachian Arts FAQ. Bud Rogers. 8 Sept. 2005. 3 July 2007. http://oldcharts.com/questions.html#second
Office of Coast Survey: A Brief History. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. 9 Dec. 2005. 3 July 2007. http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/staff/hist.html
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