Greetings All:

This information is intended mostly for our American readers, but Canadians and others may find it interesting too.

Cheers!

DC

---------------------------------------------------------

Those NOAA nautical charts we all use and love are now available for free. Earlier this year, NOAA made all of their electronic chart images available for download free of charge. NOAA's chart download website also offers free chart-viewing software from Maptech and several other manufacturers. These limited-version viewing programs don't include GPS capability, but most of the other features work perfectly.

In another new development, NOAA has created a free online Chart Viewer. The Chart Viewer is basically an updated version of Maptech's Map Server, which has been available online for several years. These viewers allow you to explore NOAA charts online using your regular browser software.

These new offerings from NOAA are a great benefit to all boaters and divers. Below are links to the NOAA sites. Check 'em out; you'll love 'em!

NOAA's Chart & Viewing Software Downloads
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm

NOAA's Online Chart Viewer
http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/viewer/