This is another endorsement that the Office of Coast Survey is attacking meaningful problems and applying "best practices" to successfully execute its mission.

The Office of Coast Survey would like to acknowledge its partners in this work.  OceanGrafix, L.L.C., of St. Paul, MN, is our Cooperative Research and Development Agreement partner for the cutting edge, Print-on-Demand technology. Software Performance Systems, Inc., of Arlington, VA, has been doing the sophisticated E-Commerce software development.  The contract with SPS was funded by the Information Technology Innovation Fund.

Nautical charts are the fundamental tool of marine navigation.  Hundreds of critical chart changes occurring each week need to be applied, charts manufactured, and then efficiently and quickly distributed by chart retailers to mariners.

The Print-on-Demand Updated Nautical Chart project is one-of-a-kind amongst hydrographic offices of the nations of the world.  It provides to the mariner absolutely up-to-date information critical to safe navigation.  It uses large format plotters, digital asset management, and electronic commerce to make nautical charts from digital files continuously maintained by the Office of Coast Survey.  Charts are only printed when ordered using the up-to-date files.  The technology enables customization of each chart to specific mariner, vessel, ship company, or industry needs.