How to Become a Marine Navigation Chart Savvy

Marine navigation charts are the key to a successful voyage through the ocean; be it leisure or professional. While due to sheer advancement in technology, digital charts have forayed in the marine landscape, traditional charts haven’t lost their importance even by a single inch. A true testimony to this is the fact that some of the biggest vessels in the sea still rely on paper charts when it comes to navigating through the ocean.

However, it is important to become a navigation chart savvy before you set out to use them. Here are a few tips from the experts.

Always purchase the latest edition of the chart. This is so because, charts change rather frequently and their newer editions are rolled out in the market quite often. You need to take a look at the date of the print too. Always choose a chart that has the most current date.

People who are unfamiliar with chart reading basics can always download Chart No. 1 to understand symbols, abbreviations, frequently used terms etc. This chart is available in the PDF format on the internet.

In addition, purchase charts that have enhanced content. Several companies have come forward to help sailors to navigate through the ocean in a much simpler way by introducing waterproof charts that can be read while standing on the deck. These charts are printed two ways: which means you can get maximum information out of them in a quick manner. These charts can be purchased through several online retailers. You may get into touch with them to find whether or not they have a chart that suits your requirements.

American Nautical Services: For Easy To Use Raster Charts

One of the basic tools for marine navigation, nautical charts represent the configuration of the shoreline and seafloor. These charts comprise navigational information like water depth, height of the land, navigational hazards, human-made structures, etc. Nautical charts are based on hydrographic surveys and can be availed in paper form. However, mariners make use of raster navigational charts or electronic navigational charts. Where electronic navigational charts represent navigational features in the vector form, raster charts comprise an accurate digital image that has pixels, displayed on an electronic screen. If you are a mariner who wants an easy to use raster chart, you can find it online at American Nautical Services.

Known for its nautical charts, books, maritime compliance, and services, American Nautical Services is one place you can get accurate raster charts at budget-friendly rates. Raster charts from this leading name are wide-ranging and cover global commercial shipping routes, major ports, and harbors with many scales. Backed by a massive collection of over 3,000 charts, American Nautical Services provide clear and cost-effective charts available on a chart by chart license basis. In addition, American Nautical Services provides raster charts that are stored in digital format using ARCS (Admiralty raster chart service). Advantageous for planning routes with safety and efficiency, raster charts from American Nautical Services come with the facility of efficient weekly updates as well.

Having all said, visit the website of American Nautical Services if you want to know more on the same.