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The Office of Navigation Systems announced today in the Federal Register an update to Navigation and Inspection Circular 01-16: Use of Electronic Charts and Publications In Lieu of Paper Charts and Publications. The policy identifies acceptable equivalencies to paper charts and publications as well as position fixing and plotting requirements under Coast Guard Regulations.

This guidance applies to U.S. vessels subject to U.S. chart, or map and publication carriage requirements, as codified in Titles 33 and 46 CFR, and provides a voluntary alternative means to comply with those requirements.

Along with announcing the equivalency, the updated NVIC provides guidance to marine inspectors and recommendations to mariners regarding:

• How to identify equivalent electronic charts and display systems
• The integration of other navigational information
• The limitations of positioning sources
• Back-up arrangement recommendations
• Training recommendations
• Cyber considerations

As a reminder, mariners are not required to use electronic charts or electronic charting systems. This update offers a voluntary alternative means to comply with U.S. chart and publication carriage requirements.

View the Federal Register notice.

Please send questions or comments via email to cgnav@uscg.mil.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.