In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it’s time to acknowledge that some relationships just don’t last forever. And in this case, NOAA has officially called it quits with paper nautical charts. After a slow but deliberate breakup, the final phase of the “sunsetting” process was completed in December 2024. For those who have clung to their trusty paper charts like a nostalgic old flame, it’s time to move on — NOAA certainly has.
When NOAA refers to the “sunsetting process,” it means the gradual and systematic phase-out of its raster nautical charts, including traditional paper charts and their digital equivalents. This decision, first announced in 2019, aimed to transition fully to electronic navigational charts to meet the growing demand for more precise, regularly updated, and standardized charting systems.
By “sunsetting,” NOAA essentially describes the planned retirement of an outdated system to focus resources on a newer, more advanced alternative — in this case, improving and expanding ENC coverage while discontinuing raster-based products.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) first announced this split in 2019 when it made the decision to phase out raster nautical charts, which include both traditional paper charts and their corresponding digital images. After five years of gradual disengagement, all 1,007 paper charts have now been officially canceled. This means no more print-on-demand paper charts, no more raster navigational charts (RNCs), and no more full-size nautical chart PDFs. Even NOAA’s digital services that displayed raster charts, including the RNC Viewer and BookletCharts™, have been discontinued.
At the heart of this shift is NOAA’s prioritization of electronic navigational charts (ENCs), which are now the primary standard for marine navigation. As ship sizes increase and vessel traffic intensifies, the need for more precise, frequently updated, and detailed charting has become critical. Traditional paper charts, while once indispensable, simply cannot keep up with the demands of modern navigation. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) now require nearly all commercial ships on international voyages to use ENCs, and since 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard has allowed commercial ships operating domestically to navigate with ENCs instead of paper charts.
The transition away from paper wasn’t just driven by regulatory changes — it was also a matter of practicality. Paper chart sales had already dropped by more than 50% between 2010 and 2020, signaling that mariners were shifting toward digital solutions long before NOAA made its decision. Maintaining an inventory of over 1,000 individual paper charts required significant resources, including specialized software, storage, and cartographic expertise separate from ENC production. By redirecting those resources into enhancing ENC coverage and accuracy, NOAA has been able to modernize its navigational products and provide more detailed, high-resolution chart data.
For boaters still mourning the loss of paper charts, there’s some good news. NOAA has developed the NOAA Custom Chart (NCC) application, which allows users to generate their own printable charts directly from ENC data. Unlike traditional paper charts, these custom charts are fully up to date with NOAA’s latest navigational information. Users can choose their scale, adjust depth contour settings, and even save their customized charts for future updates. While they don’t have the same nostalgic appeal as official NOAA charts, they offer a practical alternative for those who still prefer a paper backup.
The shift to ENC-based navigation hasn’t been without its challenges. When NOAA first began digitizing its paper charts in the early 1990s, the electronic chart layout was largely based on the irregular shapes and scales of existing paper charts. Over time, this created inconsistencies, such as mismatched depth contours and alignment errors between adjacent ENC cells. Recognizing the need for a more uniform system, NOAA has spent the past several years “rescheming” its ENC product suite. Instead of the previous patchwork of 1,200 irregularly shaped ENC cells in over 100 different scales, the new system consists of about 9,000 standardized rectangular cells in just 12 uniform scales. This makes it easier to maintain consistency across charts, resolve discrepancies between adjoining areas, and improve depth data accuracy.
One of the biggest advantages of ENCs is their ability to integrate seamlessly with electronic navigation systems. Unlike static paper charts, which are only updated periodically, ENC data is refreshed every weekday evening with the latest navigational information. When mariners upload new ENC updates to their navigation systems, critical changes — such as shifting shoals, new hazards, or modified channel depths — are automatically incorporated into their charts. This real-time adaptability significantly enhances safety, particularly in dynamic coastal environments where sandbars, channels, and underwater obstructions are constantly changing.
For those concerned about historical charts, NOAA has preserved past editions in its Historical Map and Chart Collection, where mariners and enthusiasts can download previous versions, including the last edition of each paper nautical chart. Additionally, traditional training charts, which are used by many maritime academies, are still available. These charts, marked “For instructional purposes only,” remain frozen in time and can be purchased through commercial providers.
The transition to digital navigation may feel like the end of an era, but it’s also a significant step forward for maritime safety and efficiency. Electronic charts provide mariners with far more precise, interactive, and constantly updated navigational data than their paper predecessors ever could. While some boaters may still carry a nostalgic fondness for the old paper charts, the reality is that the future of navigation is digital.
The time has come to formally retire paper nautical charts. NOAA has transitioned fully to digital navigation, and for the advancement of maritime safety and efficiency, boaters are encouraged to do the same.
