Bathymetry

Coast Survey has released prototype high resolution data for use by navigation systems for the Ports of New York/New Jersey and the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach. This data is meant for testing purposes and should not be used for navigation operations. The bathymetry represented in the prototype data is not necessarily representative of the current condition of the channels.

The bathymetric data that NOAA acquires provides foundational information for the marine transportation system.

S-102 High Resolution Bathymetry for navigation systems

The Precision Marine Navigation (PMN) data processing and dissemination system ingests, processes, and disseminates NOAA's high-resolution bathymetry data formatted in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-100 framework. The S-102 product provides bathymetry in gridded form that is designed to be ingested by navigation systems. It represents a bathymetric depth model for an area of the sea, river, lake, or other navigable waterway and includes depth estimate values and their associated uncertainty estimates. The data sets can carry both corrected depth information for navigation use, as well as measured depth information that may be used for scientific purposes. Incorporating S-102 data into navigation systems can support safe navigation by aiding in precise berthing and mooring and route planning of marine vessels.

Currently, the PMN data processing and dissemination system provides prototype S-102 data for the Port of Long Beach and the New York/New Jersey Harbor. This data is meant for testing purposes and should not be used for navigation operations. The official S-102 product specification can be found on the IHO's website.

National Bathymetric Source

The National Bathymetric Source (NBS) project creates and maintains high-resolution bathymetry composed of the best available data. Specifically designed to serve maritime navigation, this effort combines various sources of bathymetry data into one nationwide model of the seafloor. This project enables the creation of next-generation nautical charts while also providing support for modeling, industry, science, regulation, and public curiosity.