NOAA ENCs or Electronic Navigational Charts

Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) are vector data sets that support all types of marine navigation. Originally designed for large commercial vessels using a sophisticated navigational computer. The computer is called an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). ENCs are now also being used on simpler electronic chart systems and “chart plotters”. These are on many types of ships and recreational boats as well. NOAA ENCs help provide real-time ship positioning, as well as collision and grounding avoidance.