Electronic Format Charts

[davec]

Hi,

We are in the process of setting up a nautical training academy in Port Elizabeth on the South Eastern Coast of South Africa.

Our budget was a little tight to begin with and we are now finding that the outlay required to equip our chartroom is four or five times what was originally budgeted.

What I would like to ask is:

Are charts available to be downloaded in electronic format?

If they are, what is the format that these electronic files might have? Does it require special software? or are there charts which are available in .png or .dwg format, or in a format readable by commonly available software.

Are there chart-publishing companies which might sell such files and make them downloadable for a fee?

I note that there is a sticky regarding downloadable NOAA charts in .png format and this would be roughly what I'm after... only I need charts covering Southern Africa.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[PBzeer]

If you go to the Cruising forum, there are three sticky post on charts at the top of the page.

[sailingdog]

Dave-

Unfortunately, most countries do not make their charts available publicly for free. Almost all nautical charts are copyrighted, and as such, you would need to purchase them for the purposes you intend to use them. Almost all of the international charts are available in ENC format at this pont in time, and those that are not are available in the older raster BSB format....but, with the exception of the United States, the charts are only available via a paid fee.

BSB charts are readable by a lot of programs, including SeaClear II, which is a free nautical navigation/charting program. ENC files are readable by many navigation/charting programs, but none that are free AFAIK.

An international catalogue of what ENC-format vector charts are available, and from whom, is available here.

[davec]

Free would be nice, but an affordable charge would be acceptable

We are hoping to train kids from poor backgrounds to go to sea.

The wages they can make at sea would probably keep their whole villages in basic commodities for months, so I believe it is a worthwhile project.

We have been absolutely floored by the extortionate charges we have been asked to pay for basic charts and books.