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  6. OCEAN CHARTS

OCEAN CHARTS

This page contains links to online bathymetric and ocean charts and several online indexes for the UC San Diego Library's print chart collection.

  • The Chart indexes that are available online are noted on this page. Charts are not cataloged and do not appear in the library catalog.
  • Access & questions: the print collection of charts is stored in a protected environment facility, contact Teri Vogel for any questions, email:  tmvogel@ucsd.edu 

NOS/NOAA Charts

Covers US and territorial waters. A complete collection, that is not updated with Notice to Mariners; therefore this is a reference collection and unsuited for navigation.

NGA Charts

The UC San Diego Library owns a complete collection, until NGA (the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) discontinued paper chart distribution in June 2010. Our charts were not updated from Notice to Mariners; therefore this is a reference collection and unsuited for navigation. Paper indexes to the collection are listed below.

General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans - GEBCO

British Admiralty Charts

Worldwide waters. Not a current or complete collection. British charts usually offer better detailed coverage for waters around Commonwealth countries, e.g. Fiji, British Virgin Islands, etc. Paper index to the British charts is available, for any questions on these charts please contact tmvogel@ucsd.edu
  • ADMIRALTY Charts: Includes Vector Chart Service, Standard Nautical Charts, and Planning Charts 

Mexican Charts

A fairly complete collection, including older charts in an earlier numbering scheme. Paper index to the Mexican charts is available, but the index linked below is easier to use than the print index. 

  • INDEX (downloaded from www.semar.gob.mx)  
  • INDEX 1 & INDEX 2 to OLDER charts with the earlier chart numbering scheme
  • Sea of Cortez Charts & Cruising Guides : Charlie's Charts have unique charting details and information for the Gulf of California, that you won't find in the government-produced charts. Their website was retired but their charts are available for sale from Amazon books, or American Nautical Services, or Pilothouse and others that you can find from doing a Google search.

Australian Charts

Coverage of Australian waters, Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea, & Antarctic water. A strong collection

Canadian Charts

Canadian Hydrographic Service's website for digital and print publications.  They do not sell to the public, but provide a Dealer Locator to find the chart and dealer in areas closest to you.

French Charts

Not a complete collection. French charts usually offer better detailed coverage for waters around French territories than U.S. charts, i.e. French Polynesia.

Iranian Charts

Coverage of Iranian waters & Persian Gulf. A fairly complete collection

Indonesian Charts

Coverage of Indonesian waters. We collect in areas where the Indonesian charts offer better coverage than the U.S. and British charts.

Japanese Charts

Coverage of Japan & East Asian waters, Pacific & Indian Oceans, and Japanese area of Antarctica. Not a complete collection.

SIO-Produced Charts

Historically SIO produced many paper charts and maps relating to research interests. These are filed within the collection's geographic filing arrangement. Some of the better known SIO produced charts include:

  • Bathymetry of the North Pacific. J Mammerickx, SM Smith, IL Taylor, TE Chase. UC Institute of Marine Resources Technical Report 3,6-15. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1970.  Ten sheets.
  • Surface Sediments and Topography of the North Pacific Ocean. J Frazier, DL Hawkins, A Arrhenius, J Mammerickx, TE Chase, HW Menard. UC Institute of Marine Resources Technical Report 27-36. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1972.  Ten sheets.
  • Bathymetry of the South Pacific. J Mammerickx, SM Smith, IL Taylor, TE Chase. UC Institute of Marine Resources Technical Report 45A-54A. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1971-1974.  Eleven sheets.
  • Topography of the South Pacific. J Mammerickx, SM Smith, IL Taylor, TE Chase. UC Institute of Marine Resources Technical Report 45A-56. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1975.  1:6,500,000

Other Chart Resources

CHART VENDORS