Nautical Charts

NOAA now publishes scaleable electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENCŪs). They are available as free downloads from their Web site.

In order to view the charts, you need ENC-reading software. There are a number of programs available, some are free downloads. One nice simple, easy-to-use one is Figawi View ENC. It is a free download. For a list of additional software available see the NOAA ENC Resource page.

NOAA ENCŪs contain everything that is on their paper charts, with a few exceptions on the land. The paper chart content is duplicated except for: roads, railroads and buildings that are not landmarks. Large areas of buildings that are on the paper chart are shown in the NOAA ENCŪ as a built up area.

The locus map below is to give an idea of what the Cape and Islands area looks like.

Locus chart of Cape Cod and the Islands.