GeoGarage

Australia, a new chart layer in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:12:00 +0000

AHS (Australian Hydrographic Service) gives us its agreement (license no 2829SL) to display their nautical raster charts (a set of 437 charts -725 including sub-charts-) in the Marine GeoGarage.

Some charts (21 charts originally in Clarke 1858 datum) have not been included in the Marine GeoGarage because no rigourous transformation between Clarke 1858 to WGS84 datum is possible.

Note : other charts (for example 38 charts in Australian Geodetic 1966 datum) have been transformed to match Google Maps viewer datum.

So Marine GeoGarage is able right now to display 3411 charts coming from 7 international Hydrographic Services.

--- END-USER RESPONSIBILITY ----------------------

Certain material in this product is reproduced under license by permission of The Australian Hydrographic Service.
©Commonwealth of Australia 2010. All rights reserved.
This information may not be copied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any medium or machine readable form, in whole or part, without the prior written consent of the Australian Hydrographic Service.

Mariners should keep Australian nautical charts up-to-date by consulting the Notices to Mariners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So with the Premium Chart subscription (9.9 € / month), you have access today to :
UKHO, SHN, CHS & AHS nautical charts private layers.

Marine Brazil, iPhone/iPad universal application

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:40:00 +0000

Marine Brazil, universal iPhone/iPad application for seamless viewing 242 raster charts from DHN (Directoria de Hidrografia e Navegação, o Serviço Hidroceanográfico Brasileiro)

UKHO update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:55:00 +0000

Chart 4148 Approaches to Table Bay (South Africa)

745 charts from UKHO are now integrated and updated in the Marine GeoGarage UKHO 'private' layer (+24 since the previous update).

15 charts have been updated from the previous update :

675 Harbours and Anchorages on the Coast of Sudan
1534 Great Yarrmouth and Approaches
1535 Lowestoft and Approaches
1543 Winterton Ness to Orford Ness
2154 Newhaven Harbour
2249 Orkney Islands Western Sheet
2250 Orkney Islands Eastern Sheet
2695 Plans on the East Coast of England
2715 Killala and Donegal
3292 Eastern Approaches to Yell Sound, Colgrave Sound and Bluemull Sound
3294 Shetland Islands Harbours in Southern Mainland
3418 Langstone and Chichester Harbours
3741 Rivers Colne and Blackwater
3783 Mesaieed (Musay'id or Umm Said)
4158 Republic of South Africa - South Coast, Plans in Algoa Bay

Note : due to bilateral agreements with UKHO, 85 UKHO charts issued from other international Hydrographic Services are included in the UKHO layer :

8 charts for Argentina :

227 Church Point to Cape Longing including James Ross Island
Rio Parana - Rosario to Parana
2505 Approaches to the Falkland Islands
2517 North-Western Approaches to the Falkland Islands
2519 South-Western Approaches to the Falkland Islands
3560 Gerlache Strait Northern Part
3566 Gerlache Strait Southern Part
4207 Falkland Islands to Cabo Corrientes and Northeast Georgia Rise

12 charts for Belgium & Netherlands :

99 Entrances to Rivers in Guyana and Suriname
130 Anguilla to Puerto Rico showing the Approaches to the Virgin Islands
266 North Sea Offshore Charts Sheet 11
572 Essequibo River to Corentyn River
1187 Outer Silver Pit
1408 North Sea, Harwich and Rotterdam to Cromer and Terschelling.
1503 Outer Dowsing to Smiths Knoll including Indefatigable Banks.
1504 Cromer to Orford Ness
1630 West Hinder and Outer Gabbard to Vlissingen and Scheveningen
1631 DW Routes to Ijmuiden and Texel
1632 DW Routes and Friesland Junction to Vlieland
2047 Approaches to Anguilla

5 charts for Malta :

36 Marsaxlokk
177 Valletta Harbours
211 Plans in the Maltese Islands
2537 Ghawdex (Gozo), Kemmuna (Comino) and the Northern Part of Malta
2538 Malta

3 charts for Oman :

2854 Northern approaches to Masirah
3171 Southern Approaches to the Strait of Hormuz
3511 Wudam and Approaches

47 charts for South Africa :

578 Cape Columbine to Cape Seal
632 Hollandsbird Island to Cape Columbine
643 Durban Harbour
1236 Saldanha Bay
1769 Islands and Anchorages in the South Atlantic Ocean
1806 Baia dos Tigres to Conception Bay
1846 Table Bay Docks and Approaches
1922 RSA - Simon's Bay
2078 Port Nolloth to Island Point
2086 East London to Port S Johns
2087 Port St John's to Durban
2088 Durban to Cape Vidal
2095 Cape St Blaize to Port S. John's
3793 Shixini Point to Port S Johns
3794 Port S Johns to Port Shepstone
3795 Port Shepstone to Cooper Light
3797 Green Point to Tongaat Bluff
3859 Cape Cross to Conception Bay
3860 Mutzel Bay to Spencer Bay
3870 Chamais Bay to Port Nolloth
4132 Kunene River to Sand Table Hill
4133 Sand Table Hill to Cape Cross
4136 Harbours on the West Coasts of Namibia and South Africa
4141 Island Point to Cape Deseada
4142 Saldanha Bay Harbour
4145 Approaches to Saldanha Bay
4146 Cape Columbine to Table Bay
4148 Approaches to Table Bay
4150 Republic of South Africa, South West Coast, Table Bay to Valsbaai
4151 Cape Deseada to Table Bay
4152 Republic of South Africa, South West Coast, Table Bay to Cape Agulhas
4153 Republic of South Africa, South Coast, Cape Agulhas to Cape St. Blaize
4154 Mossel Bay
4155 Cape St Blaize to Cape St Francis
4156 South Africa, Cape St Francis to Great Fish Point
4157 South Africa, Approaches to Port Elizabeth
4158 Republic of South Africa - South Coast, Plans in Algoa Bay.
4159 Great Fish Point to Mbashe Point
4162 Approaches to East London
4170 Approaches to Durban
4172 Tugela River to Ponta do Ouro
4173 Approaches to Richards Bay
4174 Richards Bay Harbour
4204 Walvis Bay to Maputo
4205 Agulhas Plateau to Discovery Seamounts
4700 Port Elizabeth to Mauritius
4160 Ngqura Harbour

10 charts for Spain & Portugal :

144 Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar
690 Cabo Delgado to Mikindani Bay
1448 Gibraltar Bay
1455 Algeciras
1727 Bolama and Approaches
1740 Livingston Island, Bond Point to Brunow Bay including Juan Carlos 1 Base and Half Moon Island
142 Strait of Gibraltar
1595 Ilhas do Principe, de Sao Tome and Isla Pagalu
3578 Eastern Approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar
310 Ponta Grossa to Kuene River

We hope to include charts for Croatia, Iceland plus more charts for Spain and Portugal in our next update.

Note : don't forget to visit the UKHO Notice to Mariners web page for updates to Admiralty Charts by Chart or NM number

CHS Canada update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:27:00 +0000

3447 Nanaimo harbour and Departure Bay CHS chart update

82 updated charts for Canada :

1312 LAC SAINT-PIERRE
1313 BATISCAN AUTO LAC SAINT-PIERRE
1317 SAULT-AU-COCHON TO QUEBEC
1350A SOREL - TRACY TO RUISSEAU LAHAISE
1350B RUISSEAU LAHAISE TO SAINT-ANTOINE-SUR-RICHELIEU
1350C SAINT-ANTOINE-SUR-RICHELIEU TO ILE AUX CERFS
1350D ILE AUX CERFS TO OTTERBURN PARK
1509A RIVIERE DES PRAIRIES ILE BIZARD TO PONT-VIAU
1509B RIVIERE DES PRAIRIES PONT-VIAU TO ILE BOURDON
2042 WELLAND CANAL ST.CATHERINES TO PORT COLBORNE
2318 HERON BAY
3053A SHUSWAP LAKE CHASE TO ANGLEMONT
3053B SHUSWAP LAKE SALMON ARM TO SEYMOUR ARM
3441 HARO STRAIT BOUNDARY PASS AND SATELLITE CHANNEL
3447 NANAIMO HARBOUR AND DEPARTURE BAY
3463 STRAIT OF GEORGIA SOUTHERN PORTION
3477 BEDWELL HARBOUR TO GEORGESON PASSAGE
3478 PLANS SALTSPRING ISLAND
3479 APPROACHES TO SIDNEY
3492 ROBERTS BANK
3526 HOWE SOUND
3527 BAYNES SOUND
3602 APPROACHES TO JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT
3603 UCLUELET INLET TO NOOTKA SOUND
3902 HECATE STRAIT
4002 GOLFE DU SAINT-LAURENT GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
4012 YARMOUTH TO HALIFAX
4013 HALIFAX TO SYDNEY
4015 SYDNEY TO SAINT-PIERRE
4022 CABOT STRAIT AND APPROACHES
4023 NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT
4047 ST PIERRE BANK TO WHALE BANK
4115 PASSAMAQUODDY BAY AND ST CROIX RIVER
4116 APPROACHES TO SAINT JOHN
4202 HALIFAX HARBOUR POINT PLEASANT TO BEDFORD BASIN
4233 CAPE CANSO TO COUNTRY ISLAND
4235 BARREN ISLAND TO TAYLORS HEAD
4237 APPROACHES TO APPROCHES DE HALIFAX HARBOUR
4275 ST. PETERS BAY
4307 CANSO HARBOUR TO STRAIT OF CANSO
4320 EGG ISLAND TO WEST IRONBOUND ISLAND
4321 CAPE CANSO TO LISCOMB ISLAND
4328 LUNENBURG BAY
4335 STRAIT OF CANSO AND APPROACHES
4363 CAPE SMOKEY TO ST PAUL ISLAND
4384 PEARL ISLAND TO CAPE LA HAVE
4385 CHEBUCTO HEAD TO BETTY ISLAND
4399 PARRSBORO HARBOUR AND APPROACHES
4405 PICTOU ISLAND TO TRYON SHOALS
4447 POMQUET AND TRACADIE HARBOURS
4450 SAINT PAUL ISLAND
4462 ST. GEORGE'S BAY
4491 MALPEQUE BAY
4497 AMET SOUND
4498 PUGWASH HARBOUR AND APPROACHES
4521 BAIE VERTE
4593 SUNDAY COVE ISLAND TO THIMBLE TICKLES
4615 HARBOURS IN PLACENTIA BAY PETIT FORTE TO BROAD COVE
4616 BURIN INLET AND APPROACHES
4625 BURIN PENINSULA TO SAINT-PIERRE
4641 PORT AUX BASQUES AND APPROACHES
4724 TICORALAK ISLAND TO CARRINGTON ISLAND
4820 CAPE FREELS TO EXPLOITS ISLANDS
4821 WHITE BAY AND NOTRE DAME BAY
4826 BURGEO TO FRANCOIS
4831 FORTUNE BAY NORTHERN PORTION
4839 HEAD OFFOND DE PLACENTIA BAY
4849 PLANS CONCEPTION BAY
4850 CAPE ST FRANCIS TO BACCALIEU ISLAND / HEART'S CONTENT
4851 TRINITY BAY - SOUTHERN PORTION
4854 CATALINA HARBOUR TO INNER GOOSEBERRY ISLANDS
4855 BONAVISTA BAY SOUTHERN PORTION
4862 CARMANVILLE TO BACALHAO ISLAND AND FOGO
4863 BACALHAO ISLAND TO BLACK ISLAND
4864 BACK ISLAND TO LITTLE DENIER ISLAND
4913 CARAQUET HARBOUR BAIE DE SHIPPEGAN AND MISCOU HARBOUR
4920 CHALEUR BAY SOUTH SHORE
4956 CAP-AUX-MEULES
5138 SANDWICH BAY
6023 LAKE OF BAYS
7122 CULBERTSON ISLAND TO KOOJESSE INLET
8048 CAPE HARRISON TO ST MICHAEL BAY

So 757 CHS charts (1614 including sub-charts) are viewable in the Marine GeoGarage.

Note : don't forget to visit 'Notices to Mariners' published monthly and available from the Canadian Coast Guard both online or through a free hardcopy subscription service.
This essential publication provides the latest information on changes to the aids to navigation system, as well as updates from CHS regarding CHS charts and publications.

Linz NZ update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:37:00 +0000

New map NZ5219, Approaches to Marsden Point - 1:50000

The entire catalogue of raster charts from Linz has been updated in the Marine GeoGarage.

The 10 following charts have been updated :

NZ53 Bream Head to Slipper Island including Hauraki Gulf
NZ531 Great Barrier Island to Mercury Bay
NZ534 Mercury Bay to Katikati Entrance
NZ5214 Marsden Point
NZ5215 Whangarei Harbour
NZ5215_1
NZ5318 Great Mercury Island to Otara Bay
NZ5318_1
NZ5323 Auckland Harbour West
NZ5323_1
NZ5323_2
NZ5571_1 Poverty Bay and Approaches to Gisborne
NZ5571_2 Gisborne Harbour and Entrance
NZ7132_1 Approaches to Westport
NZ7132_2
NZ7132_3

and some charts have been added :

NZ5219 Approaches to Marsden Point

So the NZ layer is composed of 321 charts right now.

Note : don't forget to visit the New Zealand Notices to Mariners (NTMs)

Tip of the day : how to create a link to the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:21:00 +0000

Geo link to the Marine GeoGarage

If you need to send the display of a specific area containing the nautical map at the scale of your choice :

move the cursor of the mouse to the left bottom corner of the map
a small window appears (show in red above)
click once on the first line (Link) to copy and paste the html address for sending this link via Email or Instant Messaging (IM)

For 'Public' layers (NOAA US, Linz NZ, DHN Brazil ), select at first the chart layer, and this one will be automatically recorded in the Marine GeoGarage link.
Ex.: Fort Lauderdale, Bahia Mar Yacht Club
http://marine.geogarage.com/routes?anonmap=eyJtdCI6MSwicG9zIjp7ImxsIjoiMjYuMTEzMTgsLTgwLjEwNjU1IiwieiI6MTd9LCJvIjp7Ijk1MyI6eyJ0Ijo2OX19fQ==

For 'Private' chart layers (UKHO, CHS Canada, SHN Argentina) , you need to be registered with 'Chart Premium' access
Ex. : Bassin Louise, Quebec ( to view the above CHS chart)
http://marine.geogarage.com/routes?anonmap=eyJtdCI6MSwicG9zIjp7ImxsIjoiNDYuODIwNDYsLTcxLjE5OTM5IiwieiI6MTZ9LCJvIjp7IjEwN2EiOnsidCI6NTh9fX0=

Note : you can eventually use the service of some URL shortening services (bit.ly ...) in order to insert your Marine GeoGarage link in a short form for Twitter
Ex. : http://bit.ly/doluXW / http://bit.ly/aV47Zk tied to the above examples

Route duplication fixed

noreply@blogger.com (Nicolas) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:26:00 +0000

We discovered a naughty bug that plagued the map performance.

Under some (hopefully) quite rare circumstances some routes happened to be duplicated over and over, and up to several dozen times for worst cases.
The consequences were not immediately visible, but this affected the routes and way points listings, and also it made the map page run very slowly.

This issue has been fixed tonight, feel free to report any unexpected behavior through the feedback service (middle right of the page).

Sorry for any inconveniences you might have suffered.

UPDATE : Marine GeoGarage mobile apps & IOS4

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Version 1.0.1 compatible with IOS4 is available online right now.

Get updates :

Marine NZ
Marine US

NOTICE : Marine GeoGarage mobile apps & IOS4

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:00 +0000

We regret to inform you that our Marine GeoGarage mobile apps, currently available on iTunes (v.1.0.0), are NOT compatible with the latest Apple iOS 4.0 due to an unexpected outcome of the Apple’s iOS 4.0 implementation.

Feature : trying to zoom the user gets a layering affect between the area he is trying to zoom to, the page just doesn't want to refresh so not rendering the charts properly.

If you have already updated your iPhone to iOS 4.0, do not buy our App (v.1.0.0) for the moment.

We already provided an iOS 4.0 compatible App (v.1.0.1) still in "Waiting For Review" state for Apple so we hope to be soon on the AppStore with new 1.0.1 version.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

iPhone/iPad Marine GeoGarage application for NOAA charts

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:54:00 +0000

Marine US universal app displays all NOAA nautical charts online from GeoGarage servers with the ability to use them offline with previously browsed tiles cache.

Click here to learn more about Marine GeoGarage for iPhone/iPad including a demo video.

CHS Canada update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:49:00 +0000

43 updated charts for Canada :

11234 CAP DE LA TETE AU CHIEN TO CAP AUX OIES
1235 POINTE AU BOISVERT TO CAP DE LA TETE AU CHIEN
1310 PORT DE MONTREAL
1311 SOREL-TRACY TO VARENNES
1312 LAC SAINT-PIERRE
1350A SOREL - TRACY TO RUISSEAU LAHAISE
1350B RUISSEAU LAHAISE TO SAINT-ANTOINE-SUR-RICHELIEU
1350C SAINT-ANTOINE-SUR-RICHELIEU TO ILE AUX CERFS
1350D ILE AUX CERFS TO OTTERBURN PARK
1434 CROIL ISLANDS TO CARDINAL B-C
1515A PAPINEAUVILLE TO OTTAWA
1515B BECKETTS CREEK
2069 PICTON TO PRESQU'ILE BAY
2260 SARNIA TO BAYFIELD
2303 JACKFISH BAY TO ST. IGNACE ISLAND
3412 VICTORIA HARBOUR
3419 ESQUIMALT HARBOUR
3493 VANCOUVER HARBOUR WESTERN PORTION
3494 VANCOUVER HARBOUR CENTRAL POSITION/PARTIE CENTRALE
3495 VANCOUVER HARBOUR EASTERN PORTION/PARTIE EST
3526 HOWE SOUND
3534 PLANS - HOWE SOUND
3546 BROUGHTON STRAIT
3548 QUEEN CHARLOTTE STRAIT (CENTRAL PORTION/PARTIE CENTRALE)
3711 PLANS VICINITY OF/PROXIMITE DE PRINCESS ROYAL ISLAND
3719 INLETS IN CAMPANIA AND PRINCESS ROYAL ISLANDS
3723 BORROWMAN BAY
3724 CAAMANO SOUND AND APPROACHES / ET LES APPROCHES
3741 OTTER PASSAGE TO BONILLA ISLAND
3742 OTTER PASSAGE TO McKAY REACH
3891 SKIDEGATE CHANNEL
3927 BONILLA ISLAND TO EDYE PASSAGE
4002 GOLFE DU SAINT-LAURENT GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
4003 CAPE BRETON TO / CAPE COD
4023 NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT / DETROIT DE NORTHUMBERLAND
4203 HALIFAX HARBOUR BLACK POINT TO POINT PLEASANT
4342 GRAND MANAN (HARBOURS / HAVRES)
4406 TRYON SHOALS TO CAPE EGMONT
4459 SUMMERSIDE HARBOUR AND APPROACHES/ET LES APPROCHES
4462 ST. GEORGE'S BAY
4821 WHITE BAY AND/ET NOTRE DAME BAY
4864 BACK ISLAND TO LITTLE DENIER ISLAND
4905 CAPE TORMENTINE TO WEST POINT

Note : the 14 following charts which have been originally included -but manually- in the CHS layer have been removed for technicals reasons in this update by the GeoGarage process engine :

1226 (01) MOUILLAGES ET INSTALLATIONS PORTUAIRES HAUTE COTE-NORD
1400 (01) ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY : MONTREAL TO LAKE ONTARIO
1400 (02) ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY : CORNWALL TO ROCKPORT
1400 (03) ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY : ROCKPORT TO LAKE ONTARIO
2021D (01) HAIG'S REACH LOCK TO HEALEY FALLS LOCKS
2028B (01) LAKE COUCHICHING
2314 (05) MISSION RIVER ENTRANCE GRAIN TERMINALS
3001 (01) VANCOUVER ISLAND : JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT TO QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND
4045 (01) SABLE ISLAND BANK TO ST PIERRE BANK
4049 (01) GRAND BANK, NORTHERN PORTION TO FLEMISH PASS
4519 (01) MAIDEN ARM, BIG SPRING INLET AND LITTLE SPRING INLET
4522 (01) APPROACHES TO LA SCIE HARBOUR
4615 (01) HARBOURS IN PLACENTIA BAY
5134 (01) APPROACHES TO CARTWRIGHT : BLACK ISLAND TO TUMBLEDOWN DICK ISLAND

Note : don't forget to visit 'Notices to Mariners' published monthly and available from the Canadian Coast Guard both online or through a free hardcopy subscription service.
This essential publication provides the latest information on changes to the aids to navigation system, as well as updates from CHS regarding CHS charts and publications.

NOAA update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:30:00 +0000

1019 charts (Edition 05/29/2010) have been updated in the Marine GeoGarage.

Note : to see the updates for each NOAA chart, don't forget to visit :

the Notice to Mariners
the paper and raster nautical chart catalogue
the Coast Pilot

UKHO update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Mon, 31 May 2010 08:14:00 +0000

1186 (River Thames Canvey Island to Tilbury) updated

27 charts from UKHO have been updated in the Marine GeoGarage :

1796 Barra Head to Point of Ardnamurchan
2207 Point of Ardnamurchan to the Sound of Sleat
2345 Plans in South-West Cornwall
1186 River Thames Canvey Island to Tilbury
1765 Old Head of Kinsale to Power Head
2053 Kinsale Harbour and Oyster Haven
2581 Southern Approaches to Scapa Flow
2896 Port Salalah and Approaches
1867 Firth of Clyde Hunterston Channel and Rothesay Sound
2841 Outer Hebrides, Loch Maddy to Loch Resort
3113 Cape Three Points to Saltpond
3432 Saltpond to Tema
129 Whitby to Flamborough Head
134 River Tees to Scarborough
1183 Thames Estuary
1188 River Humber Spurn Head to Immingham
3497 River Humber Immingham to Humber Bridge
1543 Winterton Ness to Orford Ness
1889 Cromarty Firth Cromarty Bank to Invergordon
1890 Cromarty Firth Invergordon to Dingwall
1975 Thames Estuary Northern Part
2290 River Exe and Approaches including Exeter Canal
3781 Ra's Laffan Port
105 Cromer Knoll and the Outer Banks
1200 The Wash Ports
1535 Lowestoft and Approaches
1934 East Coast, River Tyne

Note : on April 6th, we officially obtained the rights to publish the maritime charts from Argentina, Belgium, Malta, Netherlands and Oman (countries whose respective Hydrographic Services have signed bilateral agreements with UKHO)

So 721 charts are now included in the UKHO layer.

Note : don't forget to visit the UKHO Notice to Mariners web page for updates to Admiralty Charts by Chart or NM number

In this way, we plan to include a part of the available UKHO charts for South Africa, Spain and Portugal in our next update.

NOAA nautical charts displaying Deepwater Horizon oil spill projections in Google Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:34:00 +0000

Download this Marine GeoGarage kmz file (60.4 Mb) to display the following NOAA specific raster charts (oil spill projections -updated NOAA 5/25/10 11:33 AM CDT-) in Google Earth application :

11360 Cape St. George to Mississippi
11340 Mississippi River to Galveston
11006 Gulf Coast - Key West to Mississippi River
411 Gulf of Mexico

See Marine GeoGarage for usual charts upon Google Maps.

Marine GeoGarage sightseeing contest : win a 'Chart Premium' subscription

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Following to our previous post :

As Marine GeoGarage gives to the user the possibility to superimpose official raster charts from International Hydrographic Services upon Google aerial and satellite imagery, it could be interesting to report sights with major differences.

see : NOAA shoreline website

Aerial and satellite Google images are regularly updated with accuracy improvements (see the Historical imagery tool in Google Earth), so the use of the Marine GeoGarage nautical chart opacity tool could become a basic technique for coastal change monitoring.

User feedback :

Users who note a major difference between imagery and nautical chart can report us (contact@geogarage.com) the place using the network link at the bottom left side of the viewer.
http://marine.geogarage.com/routes?anonmap=...........

GeoGarage contest :

We will publish a specific page signaling the different reports (with reference to the user or in an anonymous way).
Every month, the GeoGarage team will select the most significant report and will credit a month 'Premium Chart' for the winner.

Aerial photography and shoreline mapping : checking accuracy

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Sat, 22 May 2010 10:13:00 +0000

Example of difference between aerial imagery and chart
(Ngmararu point in New Zealand)

Aerial photographs are the primary source material used to create coastal survey maps.
These data sets, in turn, provide information to Hydrographic Services for producing official nautical charts.

Combining information from aerial photographs with hydrographic data helps to ensure that nautical charts are accurate.
Nautical charts are one of the most fundamental tools available to mariners for planning voyages and navigating ships using the shortest, safest, and most economical routes.
So it is obviously important that the information displayed on charts is correct.

Notes about accuracy :

regarding nautical charts :

When international Hydrographic Services conduct hydrographic surveys, they used the best technology through stringent accuracy standards for the collection of data by their survey vessels. But of course only for the moment in time.
Coastal waters are extremely dynamic. Natural shoaling occurs, earthquakes move sea beds, channels are dredged and new wrecks and obstructions are discovered.

So the necessity for our web service to propose regular chart updates (which should match at term to the frequency of updates proposed by the different Hydrographic Services) and for the user to take into account the information promulgated through Local Notice to Mariners.
Don't forget that for surveys performed prior to the mid 1990’s (so before standard DGPS), the accuracy requirement was only 1.5mm at the scale of the survey. On a 1:20,000-scale harbor approach survey, an accuracy of 1.5mm on the chart equates to 30 meters in real life.

RNCs are made by scanning the paper chart printing materials.
Any inaccuracies due to old methods of collecting, processing and displaying data on the paper chart were transferred to the RNCs. As a result, the accuracy of modern positioning systems such as GPS may exceed the positional accuracy of the RNC. The impact of positioning accuracies can be minimized by not zooming an RNC beyond the scale of the original chart.
For example, while NOAA has accuracy standards for each step in the data collection and chart production process, much of the depth information found on official nautical charts is based on surveys conducted before 1940, the shoreline is more than 20 years old, and paper charts used to be compiled manually.

By the way, this also means that the prudent mariner must use the Route planning tool on the Marine GeoGarage viewer to set waypoints to pass shoals or isolated dangers with utmost caution, no matter what navigation method is used. For navigation purposes, it's always necessary to keep a safety margin...

regarding Google Maps imagery :

The vertical aerial photographs used in Google Maps have been georeferenced to align with the coordinate system.
The process of georeferencing involves identifying ground control points in the image for which accurate coordinates are available. A transformation is then calculated by computer software which processes the image so that it aligns to the ground coordinate system (Wolf and Dewitt, 2000).
Mosaics are used to stitch many aerial photographs together.

Controlled mosaics use rectified photos so that all of the photos are vertical and at the same scale. In mosaic assembly, image positions of common features in adjacent photos are matched as closely as possible. A plot of control points is used to match and constrain positions, similar to the technique used in georeferencing.
Uncontrolled mosaics simply match the image details of adjacent photos without using the ground control, which is quicker but less accurate in terms of the coordinate reference system.
Semicontrolled mosaics have either no ground control or use photos that have not been rectified.

So Google Maps are certainly not to be considered a "gold standard" for accuracy as they provide a seamless worldwide imagery display. Google buys or licenses the imagery from different sources using different quality standards and referred to different datums, to stitch it all together to make up their product in an unique WGS84 datum.

Links :

Validation of Internet satellite images mosaics and e-charts
The Coast and Shoreline Change Analysis Program (CSCAP)
NOAA : Differential GPS (DGPS) & your chart
AHS (Mike Prince) : Accuracy and reliability of charts
NGA : Using nautical charts with GPS

First iPhone/iPad application for the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:28:00 +0000

The first iPhone/iPad universal application -built as the Marine GeoGarage alter ego app for sailing- is available on the AppStore right now :

Marine NZ displays all New Zealand nautical charts online from GeoGarage servers with the ability to use them offline with previously browsed tiles cache.

Click here to learn more about Marine GeoGarage for iPhone/iPad including a demo video.

Canada, a new chart layer in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:22:00 +0000

CHS (Canadian Hydrographic Service) gives us its agreement to display their nautical raster charts (a set of 768 charts, 1618 charts including sub-charts) in the Marine GeoGarage.

--- END-USER RESPONSIBILITY ----------------------

This web application has been produced by MAGIC INSTINCT Software based on Canadian Hydrographic Service ("CHS") data, following any minimum standards/guidelines that may been established by CHS, pursuant to CHS Digital VAR Agreement N° 2010-0331-1260-M.
The incorporation of data sourced from CHS in this product shall not be construed as constituting an endorsement by CHS of this product.
This product does not meet the requirements of the Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act.
Certified charts and publications, corrected and up-to-date, must be used to meet the requirements of those regulations.

Mariners should keep nautical charts up-to-date by consulting the Notices to Mariners which are monthly edited :

Monthly Bulletin

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So with the Premium Chart subscription (9.9 € / month), you have access right now to all 3 additional raster chart private layers :

UKHO (United Kingdom)
SNH (Argentina)
CHS (Canada)

Linz NZ update in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:07:00 +0000

Update example : NZ6154 4/2010 new edition (Marine GeoGarage)

May 6th :
the entire catalogue of raster charts from Linz has been updated in the Marine GeoGarage.
(59 charts have been updated)

Note : don't forget to visit the New Zealand Notices to Mariners (NTMs)

Argentina, a new chart layer in the Marine GeoGarage

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:13:00 +0000

SHN (Servicio de Hidrografía Naval de Argentina) gives us its agreement to display their nautical raster charts (a set of 90 charts) in the Marine GeoGarage.

--- END-USER RESPONSIBILITY ----------------------

As a Marine GeoGarage user, you hereby acknowledge that these charts issued from BSB charts material are only AN AID TO NAVIGATION, so they DO NOT REPLACE OFFICIAL AND UPDATED PAPER CHARTS since they are RASTER BSB Electronic charts.

Mariners should keep nautical charts up-to-date by consulting the Notices to Mariners which are monthly edited :

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So with the Premium Chart subscription (9.9 € / month), you have access today to both UKHO & SNH nautical charts private layers.

Waypoints & Routes

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:59:00 +0000

GeoGarage Waypoints and Routes

NOAA layer still there

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Marine GeoGarage is a new website that definitively replaces our previous website :

http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa

Some users of this website are a little lost moving to the new one because they don't find the NOAA layer directly when the new Marine GeoGarage link is launched.

So to avoid drowning or calling 911, here is the procedure to display the nautical charts :

Marine GeoGarage will always allow you to look at the NOAA charts but among other charts coming from other Hydrographic Services. It will open in a new window that you can then maximize to get the best view. Also, if you sign up with the site (free), then you will be able to save waypoints and routes.
When you open the site, if you first see a satellite view, then zoom into your favorite area by clicking on the place several times and then click on the “Map Content” box in the upper right hand corner of the chart to drop down the menu. Click on the NOAA box and check the “paper” box. The satellite view will be replaced by the NOAA Chart covering the area. Under the “paper” box, there is a slider. By moving that slider to the left, the background map will start to show through. The background map you see depends of the little drop down box under “background” at the top of the “Map Content” box. “Hybrid” is a good choice. Click on “Map Content” again to close the box. It is interesting to compare the shoal areas on the chart with the view in the satellite view.
In the lower left-hand corner of the chart, you will see a Lat/lon box giving the lat/lon of the mouse cursor.
In the upper-left hand corner of the chart you will find the typical navigational tools of a Google Map. You can zoom in and out and move in four directions. You can also zoom with the thumbwheel of your mouse.
To the right of the navigational tools, there is a tool box. The “hand” lets you move the map around, the “flag” lets you set a waypoint and the “lines and boxes” lets you make a route. Just click on the one you want.
In the lower right-hand corner, there is a small map. If you grap the shaded box in the middle by clicking and holding your cursor, the can move the box all around the chart quickly.
Once you play around with the site, it becomes very easy to use.

Thanks to Henry Moore for this explanation

Login confirmation & Password reset

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:15:00 +0000

We note that about 25% of our users who asked to login never completed the process.

If you aren't received an email with the subject 'GeoGarage Marine account activation', please follow these steps:

check that you entered the correct email address. Sign in to your account at http://marine.geogarage.com/login
check your Spam or Bulk Mail folders. It's also possible that the verification email we tried to send you was caught by a spam or bulk mail filter in your email system.
if you don't find the email in one of these folders, add accounts+noreply@geogarage.com to your address book or your filter's whitelist, and request another verification email.
still haven't received the email? If you haven't received a verification email within 24 hours, please click the contact us link. We'll be happy to assist you further.

Reset password procedure :

if you don't recall your initial password, you can also click on the following link to reset it and enter a new one :

http://marine.geogarage.com/ask_reset_password

Press release : Marine GeoGarage, nautical charts web portal

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:50:00 +0000

Updated : May 12, 2010

Marine GeoGarage ushers in a new era of nautical mapping services with the launch of its marine charts portal, built on Cloud Computing technology.

http://marine.geogarage.com/routes

The web site is the world's first online nautical map service allowing to display maps coming from different international Hydrographic Services.

Today the catalogue of charts regroups all the public raster charts from NOAA (US), DHN (Brazil), Linz (New Zealand).
Marine GeoGarage's web interface also gives site visitors viewing access to all private charts from UKHO (UK), CHS (Canada), SHN (Argentina) accessible via some monthly 'Chart Premium' subscription (9.9 €/month)
Today more than 3000 electronic charts are available in the GeoGarage servers; additional providers' layers are in preparation.

The big advantage is that all the layers are kept updated regularly so the user is sure to visualize recent documents.

But the web site is not only a seamless chart viewer overlaying charts at different scales on aerial and satellite imagery from Google Maps.
It also allows the user to plot waypoints and to prepare some navigation routes which can be saved in his account after free registering and uploaded to GPS (in gpx format or directly to Garmin GPS via its Communicator web plugin)

Survey routes design made of parallel transects

noreply@blogger.com (Peio) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:58:00 +0000

http://gridcoverage.appspot.com/

This tool allows to create parallel profiles for a specific survey area just introducing 2 geographical points on the map (generally perpendicular to the general trend of the shore) and an uniformly-spacing distance between a selected number of profiles.

Application : optimization of bathymetric profiles in depth sounding surveys
Possibility to save the result in Olex format, kml for Google Earth display or CVS for spreadsheet and to play with a simulation tool to help to manage the reduction of costs involved in hydrography missions (calculating ETA on waypoints introducing boat speed for each leg)