Australian Hydrographic Service

An ENC, or Electronic Navigational Chart, is an official vector electronic chart produced in International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S57 Edition 3.1 format and protected using the IHO S63 data protection scheme. It is authorised for use in International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliant Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and can also be used in compatible Electronic Chart Systems (ECS).

The versatility of the ENC vector chart database and the comprehensive ECDIS display and performance standards allow the mariner to select and display relevant navigational information to the requirements and the situation at the time. For example:

The Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS) is aware that there is some confusion in the marine environment in relation to “S57” and ENCs. Please note that “S57” is an IHO transfer format and is not an official ENC. Anyone can produce “S57” formatted data but only the official ENC complies with SOLAS requirements and carries the warranty of a National Hydrographic Office. The AHS does not publish “S57” formatted data.

More information about ENCs and ECDIS can be found in the section Electronic Charts.

Official Electronic Chart Status

When used in an IMO compliant ECDIS, Australian ENCs (and Seafarer RNCs for those areas not yet covered by Australian ENCs) will allow vessels navigating in Australia to meet the strict electronic chart carriage requirements of SOLAS Chapter V.
Australian ENCs satisfy Chapter V of the SOLAS Convention as amended in 2002 and promulgated for Australia under AMSA Marine Orders Part 21, Order 6 of 2003, which details carriage requirements for nautical charts and publications necessary for the intended voyage.

Australian ENC Coverage

Click on the image above to be forwarded to our Australian Chart Index page. There you will be able to select from the Standard (text-based) and Advanced (graphical-based) versions of the Chart Index to find more details on ENC Cell coverage.

It should be noted that the appearance and content of Australian ENCs may differ substantially from the same or similar data in the paper chart form. In particular shoal areas within the Great Barrier Reef may contain depth data at 1-metre contour intervals taken from original surveys rather than from the existing paper charts. This will enable the full benefits of ECDIS and particularly its safety depth alarm function to be used most effectively.

ENCs usually contain much more information than a paper chart, so it will take some time to provide continuous coverage of ENCs for world voyages. However the Australian Hydrographic Service is committed to providing ENC coverage for all areas covered by Australian paper charts in 2010. In the meantime, Australian ENCs will be released in stages according to the following priorities:

For more information on planned ENC production activities see the National Chart Production Schedule in Hydroscheme.

For details of worldwide offical ENC availability go to http://www.iho.shom.fr. From the home page, select the ENC drop-down menu and click ENC Coverage.

Australian ENC's are commercially available through the IC-ENC’s international distribution network. Details can be found at www.ic-enc.org.

However, Australian port authorities and Australian pilot companies may request Australian ENCs that cover their port limits or areas of operation, directly from the Australian Hydrographic Service. Beyond these limits, it is considered that the IC-ENC network should be used.

For further information please contact the AHS Licensing Manager.

Note: Australian ENCs are protected using the IHO S63 data protection scheme. Mariners wishing to use Australian ENCs should confirm that their viewing system is IHO “S63” compatible before purchase.

Australian ENCs are supported by an update service which is included in the ENC purchase price. Further information can be obtained from IC-ENC distributors (see www.ic-enc.org).

Australian ENCs released directly by the AHS to port authorities and pilot companies are supported by a monthly update service. For further information please contact the AHS Licensing Manager.

ote: Update services for Australian ENCs do not include Temporary and Preliminary Notices. Temporary and Preliminary Notices are published in Australian Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded from the Notices to Mariners section of this website, emailed via eNotices or acquired in paper form from AHS distributors.

For pricing and availability contact an IC-ENC distributor (www.ic-enc.org).

Australian port authorities may acquire (direct from the AHS only) Australian ENCs within their port limits or areas of vessel management (which ever the greater), under a licensing arrangement, free in exchange for hydrographic information. Australian pilot companies are permitted to purchase (direct from the AHS only) Australian ENCs of their area of operation at equivalent rates to the IC-ENC’s but with no minimum spend policy. For further information please contact the AHS Licensing Manager.

To assist mariners and developers an unprotected ENC sample cell can be found here.

NOTE: Commercially available Australian ENC's are protected using the IHO S63 data protection scheme. Mariners wishing to use ENCs should check that their preferred viewing system is IHO S63 compliant before purchase.