Background and Objectives

 

ENCs and RNC being produced in 2007 are “Version 1” electronic charts.  They represent concepts, technology, and operational scenarios of the 1980’s when ECDIS and ENCs were being defined, or of the 1990’s when RCDS and RNCs were added. 

 

While these first generation products have limitations, the maritime community is deciding that electronic charts are part of the future.  It is important, therefore, that electronic charts evolve to provide better results based on real-world experience, growing requirements, and advancing technology.  NOAA’s RNC 2.0 tests are one effort in that evolution.

 

The starting point for this series of experiments is the Adobe .PDF format.  This is a stable, public, and widely used format.  Tools to georeference .pdf files have become available in the last several years.  Both raster and vector data can be incorporated in .pdf documents.  Over 500 million copies of the free Adobe Reader which displays .pdf documents have been distributed worldwide.  Using the .PDF format for electronic charts could make available all the richness of functionality, tools, availability, and standards that have evolved around the format

 

The objectives of NOAA’s work on advanced raster navigational charts are:

 

  1. Evaluate whether .PDF-format electronic charts can provide the full suite of ECDIS functionality.
  2. Demonstrate new functionality that could be provided by .PDF-format electronic charts and gather user feedback on that functionality; and
  3. Evaluate the costs and limitations that would be incurred in building and using electronic charts in the .pdf format.

 

Of particular interest is the ability to use raster data in the preparation of .PDF-format electronic charts.  Charts built from raster images of paper charts could simplify production of paper charts compared to using ENCs.  It would provide an immediately available ECDIS backup from the electronic chart itself.  Finally, it could lower the production costs of electronic charts, and eliminate the need for a database of depiction data that is needed to make paper charts from ENCs.