What capabilities does NOAA ENC® provide that are not available in a paper or raster chart?
Answer – Data can be queried (i.e., vector data is smart data) in a variety of ways, which gives the user much more information than a static paper chart can. The navigator can control the display of the NOAA ENC® data, which allows for a customized display that only shows information critical to safe navigation. The navigation system software can continuously monitor the ship’s position relative to all of the features contained in the NOAA ENC®, whether displayed or not, and sound alarms if it detects a hazardous situation. Similarly, the software can check that planned routes will provide safe passage for the vessel by checking for proximity to dangers and crossing areas with insufficient depth.
