National Ocean Service 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration 
US Department of Commerce 
6001 Executive Blvd. 
Rockville, MD 20852 
(202) 426-9076, FTS 443-8060 
Kind of Data 
Nautical Charts, Bathymetric Maps, and Special Purpose Charts 
Location: Atlantic and gulf coasts including Puerto Rico 
and Virgin Islands; Pacific coast including 
Hawaii, Guam, and Samoa Islands; Alaska 
including Aleutian Islands; and Great Lakes and 
adjacent waterways 
Description of Data: National Ocean Service (NOS) nautical charts are very 
useful in the planning, design, and analysis of coastal engineering projects. 
All charts contain bathymetric data, tidal and/or water level information, and 
information important to navigation such as submarine cables and pipelines, 
dredging disposal areas, and dump sites. NOS periodically revises and updates 
the charts. 
The scale of the charts ranges from 1:2,500 to about 1:5,000,000, 
depending on the type. Harbor charts usually have scales larger than 
1:50,000. Coast charts have scales from 1:50,000 to 1:150,000, general charts 
from 1:150,000 to 1:600,000, and sailing charts have scales smaller than 
1:600,000. 
Bathymetric maps which present the detailed depth contours are prepared 
by NOS specifically for scientific, engineering, marine geophysical, and 
marine environmental studies. The scales of bathymetric maps range from 
1:50,000 to 1:1,000,000. 
Topographic/bathymetric maps show both the NOS bathymetry and the US 
Geological Survey (USGS) land topographic information. These maps are 
cooperatively produced by NOS and USGS to support the Coastal Zone Management 
and Energy Impact Program and the offshore oil and gas program. 
Shoreline movement maps, which show the historical shoreline positions, 
include Part 1, Cape Henry, Va., to Cape Hatteras, N. C.; Part 2, Cape 
Henopen, Del., to Cape Charles, Va.; and Part 3, Imperial Beach-San Pedro, 
Calif. All maps have a scale of 1:24,000. 
Other special maps include Florida coastal zone maps, geophysical maps, 
marine boundary charts, storm evacuation maps, etc. Free catalogs are 
provided by NOS for additional information. 
VII-6 
