This is especially important today due to our growing dependance on foreign oil and the potential for oil spill disasters resulting from marine accidents. Ships must be able to transport cargoes to their destinations safely and efficiently in and out of our ports and harbors. With the proper tools and services, marine accidents can be minimized and the safety and efficiency of maritime vessel traffic can be assured. NOS has been providing products and services for marine navigation and coastal stewardship since 1807 when the Coast Survey was formed. In addition to paper chart products, OCS provides a complete suite of electronic charts in raster format.
People have the right information to navigate and manage the Nation's waterways.
Provide the national suite of nautical charting products, services, and base data sets for Marine Navigation and Coastal Stewardship. The Office of Coast Survey is the Nation's nautical chartmaker. Signed into existence by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807, the Coast Survey is the oldest U.S. scientific organization and has a long history of supporting marine commerce the nation's economic lifeblood. Today, it continues to promote safe navigation by collecting, managing and compiling the data and information necessary to maintain the national suite of nautical charts and related information. These products support commercial shipping, the fishing industry, U.S. Naval and Coast Guard operations, state and local governments, and recreational boaters throughout the United States.