National Ocean Service Office of Charting and Geodetic Services itwr: Photo by Andy Whipple, San Francisco, California INTRODUCTION The Office of Charting and Geo- detic Services (C&GS) is one of the four principal line offices of the Na- tional Ocean Service (NOS). The NOS, in turn, is one of the five ma- jor line components of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini- stration (NOAA). Staffed by scien- tists and engineers, C&GS has developed significant capabilities and contributed many scientific ad- vances over the years in the fields of geodesy, astronomy, hydrography, nautical and aeronautical cartog- raphy, photogrammetry, marine engineering, and data manage- ment. The C&GS product line includes nautical, aeronautical, coastal map- ping, and geodetic products and technical services to support safe and efficient air and marine trans- portation, offshore operations and to meet national positioning and elevation control requirements for cartographic applications, engine- ering projects, land-use planning, and space and defense systems. Making such important contribu- tions to both the governmental and private sectors of the economy, C&GS touches the lives directly and indirectly of nearly all Americans. NATION'S FIRST SCIENCE AGENCY C&GS is the oldest scientific organization in the Federal Govern- ment, dating from 1807 when Presi- dent Jefferson recommended to Congress the establishment of a na- tional "survey of the coast." In the ensuing years Congress passed ad- ditional legislation to meet scientific and engineering needs of a growing national population and economy thereby placing additional duties and responsibilities on the organi- zation. Although the first geodetic surveys were not begun until 1816, considerable field work had taken place. By 1836 field work had doubled and the name of the organ- ization changed to the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1871, a geodetic connec- tion between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts was officially authorized by Congress and the name changed in 1878 to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. In 1926, Congress directed the agency to produce aeronautical charts to meet the growing requirements of the new air age. Geodetic measure- ments provide the baseline from which all aeronautical and nautical charts, coastal, and bathymetric maps are referenced. Hydrographic survey depth measurements and the interpretation of aerial photogrammetric surveys must be based on the national geodetic net- works. In this way, all C&GS pro- grams are dependent on one another. The name of the agency Survey Vessel PATTERSON CIRCA 1885 was changed to the National Ocean Survey when NOAA was formed in 1970, broadening the nautical charting mission to include charts of the Great Lakes, previously ad- ministered by the U.S Lake Survey. In December of 1982 the Office of Charting and Geodetic Services within the new National Ocean Service was created to better focus on charting and geodetic services. THE BFGINNING OF THE V S COAST SURVEY i_ J 111 I i— ' / V j ^ First Geodetic Survey in 1816 U. S. Depository Copy NAUTICAL CHARTING Portion of Chart of New York Harbor A nautical chart shows coastlines, water depths, reefs, rocks, lights, buoys, landmarks, and other details needed tor safe navigation, it is a working tool for the mariner and ship navigator in planning voyages, and determining the safest and most efficient courses. Effective foreign and domestic maritime trade depends on the availability and quality of our nautical charts. And these services are also vital to the success of expanding offshore engineering and resource develop- ment projects, and the continued growth in the recreational boating industry. Congress has charged NOS with the charting responsibility for U.S. oceanic coastal waters and the Great Lakes and connecting water- ways, amounting to about 2.5 million square nautical miles; and in meeting this requirement NOS has on issue today about 980 different charts covering this great expanse. Different users require different chart scales and formats. Scales of charts vary from the small scale suf- ficient for sailing between coastal ports and the open ocean, to the large scales needed to navigate in harbors and restricted channels. Complementing the charts are the nine Coast Pilot volumes which pro- vide supplemental information needed by the mariner on port facilities, harbors, docks, tidal characteristics, piloting, weather Oblique photo of New York Harbor same area as chart on opposite page Portion of Bathymetric Map of Hudson Canyon off the east coast statistics, regulations, and land- marks. Hydrographic and photogram- metric surveys are carried out to provide the basic data needed to produce C&GS charts and maps. Hydrography is the science that deals with the measurement and description of the bottom features of oceans, lakes, rivers, and adjoin- ing coastal areas. These surveys are carried out by ships of the NOAA fleet from C&GS project instruc- tions. Photogrammetry is the science of obtaining reliable measurements by means of photo- graphs. Aerial photographic methods are employed to position landmarks and aids to navigation for nautical charting and to map the shoreline and adjacent features. Over the years, C&GS photogram- metric mapping capabilities have been applied to other environmental problems dealing with the coastal zone such as boundary determina- tions, the effects of hurricanes and storms and multiple use problems. Bathymetric Maps are topographic maps of the sea floor, the size, shape, and distribution of under- water features are portrayed by means of detailed depth contours. These maps are the basic tools for engineering and scientific studies and the management and develop- ment of offshore energy and living resources. Hydrographic Survey/Launch Photogrammetric Aircraft L Aerial photograph /chart compiled from photograph HOW TO ORDER C&GS MARINE CHARTING AND MAPPING PRODUCTS Catalogs which describe these publications and list authorized sales agents throughout the United States are available from the Distribution Branch, N/CG33, Of- fice of Charting and Geodetic Serv- ices, National Ocean Service (NOAA), Riverdale, Maryland 20737. Hydrographic survey sheets, digital data, topographic and photogrammetric shoreline maps, and aerial photographs are import- ant by-products which arise out of the data acquisition and processing phases that produce these charts and maps. Information on their availability can be obtained by writing to the Nautical Charting Division, N/CG2, Office of Charting and Geodetic Services, National Ocean Service, (NOAA), Rockville, Maryland 20852. AERONAUTICAL CHARTING The C&GS aeronautical charting program consists of the compila- tion, printing, and distribution of air cartographic materials and other special services which are the basic requirements for all aircraft opera- tions in the United States as stipulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). C&GS pro- duces approximately 10,000 aero- nautical charts annually for air flights in the National Airspace System in the United States, in- cluding charts for pilots flying under visual flight rules and under instru- ment flight rules. C&GS also pro- duces chart-related products for air traffic controllers, airport ground personnel, and the FAA. Aeronauti- cal charts depict navigation data and flight regulation information that are critically important for flight planning, flight navigation, landings and take-offs, and air traffic control. To ensure that these aeronautical charts and chart-related products are accurate and up to date, the C&GS maintains an aeronautical chart data base of over 6 million elements. Visual Charts provide informa- tion to pilots flying under FAA visual flight rules. Since pilots using these charts rely primarily on visual sight- ings for navigation, visual charts contain a complete topographic base, with an emphasis on promi- nent natural and man-made fea- tures that are critical when a pilot is DULLES IATIONAL PORT AND RESCUE CHART Controller with C&CS Video Plate flying under visual flight rules, such as mountain ranges, major rivers, highways, railroads, cities, and towns. Overprinted on the topo- graphic base of these charts is a multitude of information directly related to aviation, including airport locations, radio aids to navigation, controlled airspace, special use airspace, possible obstructions to flight such as towers and tall buildings, and visual check points. Instrument Charts provide information to pilots flying under FAA instrument flight rules. Since pilots using these charts rely primarily on flight instruments for navigation, instrument charts do not show topographic features. In- strument charts provide pilots, navigators, FAA management, and air traffic controllers with informa- tion on navigational aids, airway bearings and distances, enroute altitudes, and procedures for instru- ment approaches and departures. Special Purpose Charts and Related Publications include a variety of controller charts, con- troller chart supplements, radar video overlays, and digital data and information on possible obstruc- tions to air traffic controllers, and research groups. , \ :•■'-■■■ s ■•a. . . ; ^ ..„ '■•'-'■■■■■•■'.•.£- - •- !" '■'.' -„ - ,_ i, . - .. - S^ ,* i : ■ ft ;/}v,--- Portion of Aeronautical Chart HOW TO ORDER C&GS AERONAUTICAL CHARTING PRODUCTS The Catalog of Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications contains a brief description of each aeronautical chart and chart-related publication produced by C&GS, the price of the chart, other information needed to select and order aero- nautical chart products, and a list of NOAA chart sales facilities and authorized commercial chart sales agents. For a free catalog, write: Distribution Branch, N/CG33 National Ocean Service /NOAA, Riverdale, Maryland 20737. GEODESY In meeting the geodetic part of its mission, C&GS is responsible for developing and maintaining the Na- tional Reference System as defined by the two National Networks of Geodetic Control. Reference points in these networks (horizontal and vertical) are the basic geographic location and elevation starting points for land surveys, cartog- raphy, engineering, construction, land information systems, environ- mental measurements and Earth Geodetic Survey Marks Construction crew surveying from C&GS monuments science. Today these networks con- sist of approximately 300,000 hori- zontal and 600,000 vertical points. The spacing and accuracy require- ments of these networks involve coordination with other Federal agencies through the Federal Geodetic Control Committee. GEODETIC DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICES C&GS carries out field surveys and research and development studies to improve the collection and delivery of geodetic data as well as to increase our understand- ing of dynamic Earth processes. The data collected from surveys and the results of analyses and research are disseminated to users in a variety of formats. The office also pro- vides national leadership in geo- detic specifications and standards, and assists state and local agencies through a variety of cooperative programs. Each yearC&GS responds to approximately 20,000 requests for the following geodetic data and information services: • Data for horizontal (latitudes and longitude) and vertical (elevations) geodetic control stations with corresponding station description informa- tion. • Geodetic control diagrams covering the conterminous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. • Gravity values for over one million points. • Calibration Base Line Data. • Astronomic and Doppler satellite data. • Horizontal and vertical crustal movement data. The availability of geodetic records and a full listing of publica- tions and prices can be obtained from the National Geodetic Infor- mation Center, N/CG17 Na- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Rockville, Mary- land 20852. Information on the availability of software for use in geodetic computations and the pos- sibility of gaining direct access to the geodetic data base can also be obtained from this source. i THE FUTURE OF CHARTING AND GEODETIC SERVICES During the past tew years, major emphasis has been placed on the conversion of aeronautical and nautical operations from manual to computer-assisted automated sys- tems. Hydrographic data acquisi- tion and processing have also been made more productive by the use of improved echo sounding equip- ment and the automated logging and plotting of survey data. The in- troduction of Bathymetric Swath Survey systems and the use of side scan sonar has given C&GS the cap- ability of performing more com- plete hydrographic survey coverage in more areas. The C&CS now em- ploys an automated analytical plot- ter which greatly facilitates photogrammetric analysis of aerial photographs. A computer-assisted automated distribution system for aeronautical and nautical charts has been installed. Over the past few years, a major ef- fort has been devoted to the adjust- ment of the National Networks of the Geodetic Control. The network adjustments will result in new datums — the North American Datum of 1983, and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 — which will improve the accuracy of the entire horizontal and vertical networks. Conventional geodetic surveying techniques are being replaced by new systems which have been adapted from satellite and space 12 Automated Cartography Very Long Baseline Interferometry Receiving Antenna technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Very Long Baseline Interferometric (VLBI) survey technique. In the future, this office will convert its field operations to these new systems. Polar motion measure- ments have undergone a complete technological change with the re- cent installation of a three-station VLBI receiving array of radio telescopes in the United States. Radio signals received from ex- tragalactic sources (quasars) are observed to monitor Earth rotation and polar motion. These observa- tions provide a primary frame of ref- erence from which all geodetic measurements and positions are compared and also information which is essential in crustal motion monitoring and analyses. Crustal motion data are required for the siting of nuclear power plants, for determining areas of submergence or earthquake hazards, and for other sensitive situations. GPS is a satellite system which will allow C&GS to achieve 2- to 3- centimeter accuracy for determining the coor- dinates of any point on the Earth. The C&GS stands on the thresh- old of a new era in user products providing greater accuracy and im- proved delivery systems in support- ing the nation's economic growth. 13 U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service IPIF ^*f«J(JfG<* June 1984 N/EAI, Rockville, MD