AusRNC (Formerly known as Seafarer RNC)AusRNC

(Raster Navigational Chart)

What is AusRNC?

AusRNC, (Raster Nautical Chart) is an official raster charting service providing coverage of Australian, Papua New Guinea and Australian Antarctic Territory waters.  AusRNCs are high quality facsimile reproductions of the Australian Navigational Paper Chart Series in Hydrographic Chart Raster Format (HCRF).  They can be viewed in compatible Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and compatible Electronic Chart Systems (ECS).

AusRNC enables mariners to perform all the traditional navigational functions such as bearing and distance calculation, way-point insertion and route planning. Most compatible systems will allow a link to GPS to show real time vessel position.

 

Official Status of AusRNC

Since AusRNCs are published by the Australian Hydrographic Service, Australia’s national charting authority, they are official electronic charts which allow:

  • Vessels navigating in Australia in Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) mode, on an IMO compliant ECDIS, to meet SOLAS Chapter V regulations covering the carriage of electronic paper charts and ECDIS as promulgated for Australia under AMSA Marine Orders Part 21.  Further details can be found at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Website at www.amsa.gov.au.
  • Commercial vessels 12 metres or more in length and engaged in Australian domestic operations, to meet the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) when used in an IMO compliant ECDIS or NSCV compliant ECS.  Further details can be found at the National Marine Safety Committee website at www.nmsc.gov.au.

 

How is AusRNC updated?

For mariners who wish to update their charts regularly we provide a Monthly Update Service on CD. Mariners can also download their monthly updates from the Product Downloads section of this website. Mariners requiring less frequent updates can request Periodical Updates as needed.

 

What do I need to run AusRNC?

You will need a viewing system produced by a Licensed System Manufacturer, your own Pentium PC and a set of AusRNC charts supplied by the AHS.

Note: The AHS produces a low cost desktop viewing application called Seafarer Viewer that can display AusRNCs and a number of other electronic chart formats.  Seafarer Viewer is useful to those who wish to view electronic charts but not use them for navigation. 

Where can I obtain navigation software and charts?

AusRNC is available from our network of Seafarer Product Distributors. The Distributor can provide you with a navigation system and assist you in the selection of charts on the AusRNC Application Form. This form will be faxed to the AHS where your order will be processed and your chart data and permits will be forwarded to your preferred delivery address.

 

What Chart Pack do I Need?

You choose the pack that covers your area of interest. You can purchase a single chart or a day pack that will cover an area of local interest, a regional pack that will cover a broader area of the coast or an Australian pack which includes all Australian navigation charts.

 

What is the cost of AusRNC?

The cost of navigation software from a licensed system manufacturer, will vary depending on what system you decide to buy. The cost of the AusRNCs will vary depending on what pack you purchase, recommended retail prices are in the Pricing Section of our website.

 

What else do I need to know about AusRNC (FAQ)?

Q. Can I link AusRNC to GPS?

A. A GPS link will be a function of all navigation software developed by Licensed System Manufacturers. You will require a cable to connect to the 9-pin serial port on your computer.

Q. Can I update AusRNC?

A. Yes AusRNC is fully updateable. If you subscribe to the monthly update service you will receive an update CD every month. Your system will perform all the update procedures for you by overlaying update tiles onto the affected areas of your charts. You may also apply for a periodical update at any time. As AusRNC Update CDs contain all previous updates, the cost of your periodical update will depend on the period since your last update.

Q. What if I purchase AusRNC without updates then, say 3 years later simply purchase a monthly update service at the update price?

A. The User will be required to bring the chart packs up to date via the periodical update service first, then pay for a monthly service.

Q. Does AusRNC show the location of reefs and wrecks?

A. AusRNC will show exactly the same information as a paper chart. Any reef of other feature that poses a threat to safe navigation will be shown on the chart. Deeper reefs and pinnacles that fisherman look for do not necessarily pose a threat to shipping would not be shown on a navigation chart.

Q. What areas do the charts cover?

A. The complete Australian navigation chart series is now available as AusRNCs.

Q. Can you zoom into the charts?

A. AusRNC comes with a high resolution and low resolution display. You can zoom into the charts but you will lose resolution on the image. This is due to the fact that the chart is a Raster scan not a Vector product; the raster image is made of a discrete number of pixels (dots) that do not change in number regardless of the zoom level.  When zooming in the pixels will just appear larger.

Q. Can I print the chart from the CD?

A. Windows™ will allow you to do a screen print of the current screen image to another application within the office environment. This can then be printed on a normal printer or plotter. Some software packages may have a print facility to print A4 portions of the chart but not the entire chart.

Q. Can the data be backed up?

A. The User may make a backup of the chart permits only. It is recommended that users keep a backup of their permit disk as lost or corrupted permits incur an administration fee to replace.

Q. How can I run 2 CD's on my computer?

A. Provided you have enough disk space, approx 800 mb, the chart and/or update CD can be downloaded onto a hard disk. This method of accessing Seafarer is recommended for its speed advantages.

Q. Can I load AusRNC onto a number of computers?

A. AusRNC can be loaded onto any number of computers, however it can only be accessed via the security dongle which comes with a navigation software package.  AusRNC will only run on the computer which has the security dongle attached.

® Seafarer is a registered trademark of the Commonwealth of Australia