OpenSeaMap – Free Nautical Map

OpenSeaMap is project to create some free nautical map and geographic data such as lights and buoys with contributions both from official public data (with no copyright) and passionated individuals. OpenSeaMap is part of OpenStreetMap and has created a cool online editing interface that allows anyone to spend his experiences and contribute to the map.

OpenSeaMap includes marine lights , buoys and other navigation signals, port information , repair shops , craft supplies and more. Also included are other associated services such as shops , restaurants and attractions. This is not yet fully developed and it is mainly available in Germany.

As the backend structure for the data is based on the s-57 vector format (used by official ENC), it could be a good tool to develop some cartographic online interface for implementing the info from the official Notices to Mariners (NTMs) which provides timely marine safety information for the correction of all the official navigation paper charts.