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Articles

Number 3 (2010)

A First Generation ENC Services

Submitted
August 13, 2013
Published
2010-03-12

Abstract

The effectiveness of the principles underlying the World Electronic Navigational Chart Database (WEND) has been brought into question by the less than optimal service delivery models existing in 2009. It is contended that the delays in the provision of comprehensive Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) services, partly as a result of real world challenges in generating the required international production capacity, have been the major factor in the growth of a large market in unofficial data services. However, the future course of electronic charting is now clearly pointing towards a model, recognizable as a WEND, but modified according to regional requirements. This paper reviews the challenges in the delivery of an early official integrated vector chart service aspiring to world coverage, launched by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. A number of separate strands are examined, including the significant technical challenges in the translation of historic charted data into the new format and the provision of a robust supply chain from data acquisition to the ultimate delivery of data to the end user.