A growing number of vessels of all types and classes now use raster chart display systems (RCDS). These vessels operate throughout the world under a wide range of navigational conditions. This experience, together with ongoing sea trials, demonstrates that RCDS is a substantial improvement to the safety of navigation. In partnership with MAPTECH, a major retailer of digital maps and charts, NOS issues a suite of high quality raster nautical charts covering all U.S. waters. Raster nautical charts are an integral part of NOS' strategy to provide high quality electronic chart coverage of all U.S. waters, since the agency's production of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) initially will be limited to 40 major ports. In order that mariners receive the full, legal benefit of electronic charting while ENC coverage is limited, NOS and other hydrographic offices are seeking IMO approval of SOLAS-compliant Performance Standards for RCDS. This paper reviews the progress of this effort.
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