NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC)
Office of Coast Survey
Data Set
(DS)
| ID: 39976
| Published / External
Created: 2017-04-05
|
Last Modified: 2025-04-04
Project (PRJ) | ID: 37241
ID: 39976
Data Set (DS)
* Discovery• First Pass
» Metadata Rubric
Item Identification
* » Title | NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) |
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Short Name | enc_metadata_2007 |
* Status | In Work |
Creation Date | 2001-07-11 |
Revision Date | 2023-09-14 |
• Publication Date | 2001 |
* » Abstract |
The Office of Coast Survey (OCS) has been involved in the development of a NOAA Electronic Navigational Chart (NOAA ENC) suite to support the marine transportation infrastructure and coastal management for a number of years. The NOAA ENC will support all types of marine navigation by providing the official database for electronic charting systems (ECS), including the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). NOAA ENCs support real-time navigation as well as collision and grounding avoidance needs of the mariner, and accommodate a real-time tide and current display capability that is essential for large vessel navigation. NOAA ENCs will also provide fully integrated vector base maps for use in geographic information systems (GIS) that are used for coastal management or other purposes. The NOAA ENCs are in the International Hydrographic Office (IHO) S-57 international exchange format and comply with the ENC Product Specification. |
* Purpose |
The electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENC) are primarily intended to support the navigation of vessels in the territorial waters of the United States. The data contained in the NOAA ENCs may also be used for any other coastal mapping purposes that require up-to-date information similar to that portrayed on traditional navigational charts. |
Notes |
1530 |
Other Citation Details | |
• Supplemental Information | |
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) | |
DOI Registration Authority | |
DOI Issue Date |
Keywords
Theme Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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ISO 19115 Topic Category | oceans |
ISO 19115 Topic Category | transportation |
NGDA Portfolio Themes | National Geospatial Data Asset |
NGDA Portfolio Themes | NGDA |
NGDA Portfolio Themes | Water Oceans and Coasts Theme |
NGDA Portfolio Themes | NGDAID165 |
NOS Data Explorer Topic Category | Nautical Charting |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Boundaries |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Environment/Hazard |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Hydrography |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Landform |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Marine Navigation |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Oceans |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Transportation |
Tri - Service Spatial Data Standard | Wildlife/Fisheries |
Temporal Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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* Spatial Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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None | U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone |
None | U.S. territories |
None | U.S. waters |
Stratum Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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Instrument Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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Platform Keywords
Thesaurus | Keyword |
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Physical Location
• » Organization | Office of Coast Survey |
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• » City | Silver Spring |
• » State/Province | MD |
• Country | |
• » Location Description |
Data Set Information
* Data Set Scope Code | Data Set |
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• Data Set Type | |
• Maintenance Frequency | As Needed |
Maintenance Note | |
» Data Presentation Form | map |
• Entity Attribute Overview |
The electronic navigational chart conforms to the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, Special Publication S-57, ENC Product Specification Edition 2.0. The entity and attribute descriptions are contained in the standard. The standard is available from the IHO at http://www.iho.shom.fr. |
Entity Attribute Detail Citation |
IHO S-57, Edition 3.1 |
Entity Attribute Detail URL | |
Distribution Liability |
None |
Data Set Credit |
Support Roles
* » Support Role | Data Steward |
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* » Date Effective From | 2025 |
Date Effective To | |
Person | Legeer, Sean |
Email Address | sean.legeer@noaa.gov |
Phone | |
Fax | |
Mobile | |
URL | |
Business Hours | |
Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | Distributor |
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* » Date Effective From | 2018-12-14 |
Date Effective To | |
Organization | Office of Coast Survey (OCS) |
Address |
1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
Email Address | |
Phone | |
Fax | |
Mobile | |
URL | https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ |
Business Hours | |
Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | Metadata Contact |
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* » Date Effective From | 2025 |
Date Effective To | |
Person | Legeer, Sean |
Email Address | sean.legeer@noaa.gov |
Phone | |
Fax | |
Mobile | |
URL | |
Business Hours | |
Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | Point of Contact |
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* » Date Effective From | 2025 |
Date Effective To | |
Person | Legeer, Sean |
Email Address | sean.legeer@noaa.gov |
Phone | |
Fax | |
Mobile | |
URL | |
Business Hours | |
Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | |
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* » Date Effective From | |
Date Effective To | |
* » Contact | |
* Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | |
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* » Date Effective From | |
Date Effective To | |
* » Contact | |
* Contact Instructions |
* » Support Role | |
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* » Date Effective From | |
Date Effective To | |
* » Contact | |
* Contact Instructions |
Extents
Currentness Reference | Publication Date |
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Extent Group 1
Extent Description |
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Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1
* » W° Bound | -170 |
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* » E° Bound | -64 |
* » N° Bound | 62 |
* » S° Bound | 19 |
* » Description |
Extent Group 1 / Vertical Extent
EPSG Code | |
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Vertical Minimum | |
Vertical Maximum |
Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1
* » Time Frame Type | Continuing |
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* » Start | 2001-07-11 |
End | |
Alternate Start As Of Info | |
Alternate End As Of Info | |
Description |
Spatial Information
Spatial Resolution
Angular Distance | |
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Angular Distance Units | |
Horizontal Distance | |
Horizontal Distance Units | |
Vertical Distance | |
Vertical Distance Units | |
Equivalent Scale Denominator | |
Level of Detail Description |
Spatial Representation
Grid Representation Used? | |
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Vector Representation Used? | |
Text / Table Representation Used? | |
TIN Representation Used? | |
Stereo Model Representation Used? | |
Video Representation Used? |
Grid Representation
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Axis Dimension |
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Vector Representation
Topology Level | |
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Complex Object Present? | |
Complex Object Count | |
Composite Object Present? | |
Composite Object Count | |
Curve Object Present? | |
Curve Object Count | |
Point Object Present? | |
Point Object Count | |
Solid Object Present? | |
Solid Object Count | |
Surface Object Present? | |
Surface Object Count |
Reference Systems
Reference System
EPSG Code | EPSG:4326 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Horizontal Resolution |
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Vertical Resolution |
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Reference System
EPSG Code | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Horizontal Resolution |
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Vertical Resolution |
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Access Information
Data License | |
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Data License URL | |
Data License Statement | |
* » Security Class | Unclassified |
* Security Classification System | |
Security Handling Description | |
• Data Access Policy | |
» Data Access Procedure | |
• » Data Access Constraints |
The NOAA electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC) files that may be downloaded from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are official products. Official ENCs are suitable for navigation under the following regulations and policies, and in the following circumstances:On May 2, 2001, the United States Coast Guard amended the chart carriage regulations to permit government vessels to use electronic charting and navigation systems in lieu of paper charts.On August 15, 2002, the United States Coast Guard issued a statement of policy to bring its regulations into agreement with SOLAS Chapter V (as amended by the changes taking effect July 1, 2002). The policy statement said that, if a ship has an approved ECDIS installed according to SOLAS, Chapter V, the ECDIS will be considered as meeting the ship's nautical chart carriage regulations. The ships that are affected are:U.S.-flagged ships of 150 or more gross tons that engage on international voyages.U.S.-flagged ships certificated solely for service on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.Foreign-flag ships to which SOLAS, Chapter V, applies that are operating on the navigable waters of the United States.This policy is not applicable to U.S.-flag ships engaged only on domestic voyages. These ships must continue to comply with existing navigation equipment requirements until the chart carriage regulations are formally amended.The NOAA ENC files available from this site are updated for Notices to Mariners on at least a monthly basis. Users are encouraged to check the site frequently and download the latest versions of the files. Notice to mariner updates are either contained in a new edition ENC or an incremental update (also called ENC Revision or "ER" files). |
• Data Use Constraints |
The NOAA electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC) files that may be downloaded from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are official products. Official ENCs are suitable for navigation under the following regulations and policies, and in the following circumstances:On May 2, 2001, the United States Coast Guard amended the chart carriage regulations to permit government vessels to use electronic charting and navigation systems in lieu of paper charts.On August 15, 2002, the United States Coast Guard issued a statement of policy to bring its regulations into agreement with SOLAS Chapter V (as amended by the changes taking effect July 1, 2002). The policy statement said that, if a ship has an approved ECDIS installed according to SOLAS, Chapter V, the ECDIS will be considered as meeting the ship's nautical chart carriage regulations. The ships that are affected are:U.S.-flagged ships of 150 or more gross tons that engage on international voyages.U.S.-flagged ships certificated solely for service on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.Foreign-flag ships to which SOLAS, Chapter V, applies that are operating on the navigable waters of the United States.This policy is not applicable to U.S.-flag ships engaged only on domestic voyages. These ships must continue to comply with existing navigation equipment requirements until the chart carriage regulations are formally amended.The NOAA ENC files available from this site are updated for Notices to Mariners on at least a monthly basis. Users are encouraged to check the site frequently and download the latest versions of the files. Notice to mariner updates are either contained in a new edition ENC or an incremental update (also called ENC Revision or "ER" files).Copying, reproduction of the NOAA ENCs to any other server or location for further reproduction or redistribution is discouraged unless the following guidelines are followed: 1) the NOAA ENCs and supplementary files including the CATALOG.031 and README.TXT are included in their entirety, 2) this disclaimer is displayed to and accepted by anyone who accesses the NOAA ENCs, and 3) a reference to this Web site is included so that anyone accessing the NOAA ENCs is advised of where they originated. If these NOAA ENCs are incorporated into any other product in a form other than as provided by NOAA, the producer of that product assumes full liability and must adhere to conditions 2 and 3 described in the paragraph above concerning copying or reproduction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have promulgated certification requirements with standards for applicants who want to redistribute NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (NOAA ENCs) as official data. Two types of certification are offered. The first type, "Certified NOAA ENC Distributor" (CED), covers NOAA ENC downloading, exact copying, and redistribution of those copies. The second type, "Certified NOAA ENC Value Added Distributor" (CEVAD), permits reformatting official NOAA ENCs into a System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) using type-approved software, and distribution of that SENC. NOAA intends by this action to assure that, though redistributed, quality official NOAA ENC data is offered to the public in support of safe navigation on U.S. waters. This rule can be found in the 15 CFR Part 995. A list of approved certified distributors can be found at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/MCD/enc/certdist.htm. |
Metadata Access Constraints | |
Metadata Use Constraints |
Distribution Information
Start Date | |
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» Download URL | https://charts.noaa.gov/ENCs/ENCs.shtml |
Distributor | Office of Coast Survey (OCS) (2018-12-14 - Present) |
File Name | |
Description |
Downloadable Data |
File Date/Time | |
File Type (Deprecated) | DX90 |
Distribution Format | |
File Size | 2 |
Application Version | 3.1 |
Compression | Zip |
Review Status |
Start Date | |
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» Download URL | https://www.charts.noaa.gov/ENCs/ENCProdCat_19115.xml |
Distributor | Office of Coast Survey (OCS) (2018-12-14 - Present) |
File Name | Catalog XML |
Description | |
File Date/Time | |
File Type (Deprecated) | |
Distribution Format | XML (Structured Text) |
File Size | |
Application Version | |
Compression | |
Review Status |
Start Date | |
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End Date | |
» Download URL | |
Distributor | |
File Name | |
Description | |
File Date/Time | |
File Type | |
FGDC Content Type | |
File Size | |
Application Version | |
Compression | |
Review Status |
Start Date | |
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End Date | |
» Download URL | |
Distributor | |
File Name | |
Description | |
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Application Version | |
Compression | |
Review Status |
Start Date | |
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End Date | |
» Download URL | |
Distributor | |
File Name | |
Description | |
File Date/Time | |
File Type | |
FGDC Content Type | |
File Size | |
Application Version | |
Compression | |
Review Status |
Archive Information
Location | |
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File Identifier | |
File Name | |
URL | |
Description | |
DOI | |
Archive Date | |
Archive Update Frequency |
Location | |
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File Identifier | |
File Name | |
URL | |
Description | |
DOI | |
Archive Date | |
Archive Update Frequency |
Location | |
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File Identifier | |
File Name | |
URL | |
Description | |
DOI | |
Archive Date | |
Archive Update Frequency |
URLs
URL | https://charts.noaa.gov/ENCs/ENC_Agreement.shtml |
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Name | ENC User Agreement |
URL Type | Online Resource |
File Resource Format | |
Description |
URL for download agreement. |
URL | https://charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml |
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Name | ENC Chart Locator |
URL Type | Online Resource |
File Resource Format | |
Description |
URL for Chart Locator |
URL | |
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Name | |
URL Type | |
File Resource Format | |
Description |
URL | |
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Name | |
URL Type | |
File Resource Format | |
Description |
URL | |
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Name | |
URL Type | |
File Resource Format | |
Description |
Activity Log
Activity Time | 2016-12-13 |
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Activity Type | |
Responsible Party | |
Description |
Date that the source FGDC record was last modified. |
Activity Time | 2017-04-05 |
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Activity Type | |
Responsible Party | |
Description |
Converted from FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (version FGDC-STD-001-1998) using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml.pl' script. Contact Tyler Christensen (NOS) for details. |
Activity Time | 2018-02-08 |
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Activity Type | |
Responsible Party | |
Description |
Partial upload of Positional Accuracy fields only. |
Activity Time | 2025-02-18 |
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Activity Type | |
Responsible Party | Ben Galdi |
Description |
Metadata Updated |
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Issues
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Issue |
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Author | |
Issue |
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Author | |
Issue |
Technical Environment
Description |
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Data Quality
Representativeness | |
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Accuracy |
The NOAA ENC conforms to the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, Special Publication S-57, ENC Product Specification Edition 2.0. The entity and attribute descriptions are contained in the standard. The standard is available from the IHO at http://www.iho.shom.fr. |
Analytical Accuracy | |
Horizontal Positional Accuracy |
The NOAA ENC conforms to the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, Special Publication S-57, ENC Product Specification Edition 2.0. |
Vertical Positional Accuracy |
The NOAA ENC conforms to the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, Special Publication S-57, ENC Product Specification Edition 2.0. |
Quantitation Limits | |
Bias | |
Comparability | |
Completeness Measure | |
Precision | |
Analytical Precision | |
Field Precision | |
Sensitivity | |
Detection Limit | |
Completeness Report |
The NOAA ENC contains most of the features currently shown on the corresponding paper chart. The detailed road networks and depictions of buildings in urban areas have been replaced with an "urban area" that is displayed as a tinted area with the associated place name.NOAA ENCs are currently available for the United States 40 major commercial port areas and transit between those ports. As of October 2007 there are currently 608 NOAA ENC's available. This comprises 97% coverage of United States commercial waterways and transit routes. |
Conceptual Consistency |
The NOAA ENC conforms to the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, Special Publication S-57, ENC Product Specification Edition 2.0. |
» Quality Control Procedures Employed |
Data Management
» Have Resources for Management of these Data Been Identified? | |
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» Approximate Percentage of Budget for these Data Devoted to Data Management | Unknown |
» Do these Data Comply with the Data Access Directive? | Yes |
» Is Access to the Data Limited Based on an Approved Waiver? | No |
» If Distributor (Data Hosting Service) is Needed, Please Indicate | |
» Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Dissemination | |
» If Delay is Longer than Latency of Automated Processing, Indicate Under What Authority Data Access is Delayed | |
» Actual or Planned Long-Term Data Archive Location | |
» If World Data Center or Other, Specify | |
» If To Be Determined, Unable to Archive, or No Archiving Intended, Explain | |
» Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Archiving | |
» How Will the Data Be Protected from Accidental or Malicious Modification or Deletion Prior to Receipt by the Archive? |
Lineage
» Lineage Statement |
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Sources
Citation Title | |
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Contact Role Type | |
Contact Type | |
Contact Name | |
Publish Date | |
Extent Type | |
Extent Start Date/Time | |
Extent End Date/Time | |
Citation URL | |
Citation URL Name | |
Citation URL Description | |
Scale Denominator |
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Contact Type | |
Contact Name | |
Publish Date | |
Extent Type | |
Extent Start Date/Time | |
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Citation URL | |
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Citation URL Description | |
Scale Denominator |
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Contact Role Type | |
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Contact Name | |
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Extent Type | |
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Citation URL Description | |
Scale Denominator |
Process Steps
Process Step Number | 1 |
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» Description |
The NOAA ENC database has been built from a combination of charted information as well as original "source" information. NOAA has compiled critical features such as channel limits, aids to navigation, and obstructions from the original documents that were used to put the feature on the paper chart. The objective is to use the most accurate information for features that are critical to the safety of navigation. NOAA uses a number of sources in compiling NOAA ENCS including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveys, drawings, and permits, U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariner, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Notices to Mariners, and NOAA hydrographic surveys. All NOAA ENCs that are considered "completed" are up to date for the current Notices to Mariners. They will also have any new chart information included within a few weeks of the information's arrival at NOAA. |
Process Date/Time | |
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» Description | |
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» Description | |
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Process Contact | |
Phone (Voice) | |
Email Address | |
Source |
Acquisition Information
Instruments
Instrument Unavailable Reason | Not Applicable |
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Identifier | |
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Docucomp UUID | |
Instrument / Gear | |
Instrument Type | |
Description |
Identifier | |
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Docucomp UUID | |
Instrument / Gear | |
Instrument Type | |
Description |
Identifier | |
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Docucomp UUID | |
Instrument / Gear | |
Instrument Type | |
Description |
Platforms
Platform Unavailable Reason | Not Applicable |
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Identifier | |||||||
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Description | |||||||
Mounted Instruments |
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Mounted Instruments |
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Mounted Instruments |
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FAQs
Date | |
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Author | |
Question | |
Answer |
Child Items
Rubric scores updated every 15m
Score | Type | Title |
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Related Items
Item Type | Relationship Type | Title |
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Catalog Details
Catalog Item ID | 39976 |
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Metadata Record Created By | Tyler Christensen |
Metadata Record Created | 2017-04-05 13:49+0000 |
Metadata Record Last Modified By | Brianna Key |
» Metadata Record Last Modified | 2025-04-04 22:54+0000 |
Metadata Record Published | 2025-02-28 |
Owner Org | OCS |
Metadata Publication Status | Published Externally |
Do Not Publish? | N |
Metadata Workflow State | Published / External |
Metadata Last Review Date | 2025-02-28 |
Metadata Review Frequency | 1 Year |
Metadata Next Review Date | 2026-02-28 |
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