NV Charts routing software

NV Charts Navigation Software: Digital Charting and Voyage Planning

NV Charts navigation software provides a digital environment for using NV Charts digital nautical charts and preparing coastal passages, cruises and longer voyages. It allows navigators to examine a maritime area on a compatible computer or device, plan routes and study the information required before leaving port.

The NV Charts system is based on the complementary use of digital charts, route-planning tools, mobile applications and, where applicable, NV Charts paper chart products. This makes it possible to prepare a voyage ashore and then use the same digital charting environment on board, depending on the equipment and configuration.

NV Charts provides chart coverage for a wide range of maritime and inland-water areas, including Northern Europe, the European Atlantic coast, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and selected areas of the United States. The appropriate digital chart coverage should always be selected according to the intended cruising area and complete route.

What is NV Charts navigation software used for?

NV Charts software is designed to turn NV Charts digital chart data into a practical navigation and route-planning environment.

It can be used to:

• prepare a route before departure;

• study a coastal area or waterway;

• identify ports, anchorages and important waypoints;

• examine depths, soundings, navigational marks and hazards shown on the chart;

• prepare a multi-stage cruise;

• work on routes using a computer, tablet or smartphone, depending on the environment;

• consult digital charts while underway when the equipment and operating conditions are appropriate.

The software is therefore particularly useful for sailors who want to analyse and prepare their route before reaching the sea rather than relying solely on decisions made during the passage.

NV Charts software and digital nautical charts

The navigation software should not be confused with the digital nautical chart itself. The chart contains the geographic and nautical data, while the software or application provides the environment in which those data can be displayed and used.

Depending on the coverage, NV Charts digital charts can provide information such as depths, soundings, navigational marks, lights, hazards, channels, ports, anchorages and other nautical information.

Selecting the correct NV Charts digital chart therefore starts with identifying the required geographic area. For a cruise, it is preferable to check the complete itinerary rather than selecting coverage for the departure port alone.

This distinction is particularly important when searching for an “NV Charts navigation software”, an “NV Charts digital nautical chart” or an “NV Charts chart for navigation software”.

NV Charts on computers, tablets and smartphones

The NV Charts environment is designed for use across a range of compatible devices. The NV Charts application is available for compatible computers, Macs, tablets and smartphones.

This provides flexibility during voyage preparation. A route can be studied on a larger computer screen ashore and subsequently consulted on a mobile device on board.

A compatible GPS can also be used to associate the vessel's position with the digital chart when the hardware and software configuration supports this function.

However, a mobile navigation application should not automatically be regarded as equivalent to a permanently installed marine navigation system. The most appropriate device depends on the vessel, available power supply, screen visibility, operating conditions and the navigator's requirements.

Planning a route with NV Charts

Route planning is one of the main uses of navigation software.

Before a cruise, the navigator can first examine the overall area and then focus on sectors requiring more detailed analysis. Ports, anchorages and intermediate waypoints can be identified, while alternative routes can be prepared before departure.

For coastal sailing, this approach can be used to plan a passage between several ports while taking the coastline and charted navigation information into account.

For a longer cruise, the preparation can be organised into several stages:

• defining the departure point;

• identifying destinations and stopovers;

• examining the coastal areas along the route;

• preparing individual legs;

• identifying possible alternatives;

• checking that the required digital chart coverage is available.

Digital route planning is particularly useful when combined with paper-chart preparation, especially when several scales need to be compared.

NV Charts for coastal navigation

Coastal navigation requires chart information that allows the sailor to understand the environment around the vessel in sufficient detail.

Close to shore, navigators need to interpret navigational marks, depths, hazards, channels, ports and anchorages shown on the chart.

NV Charts software provides a digital environment in which this information can be examined, allowing the navigator to move from an overall view of the voyage to a more detailed examination of a particular coastal sector.

This makes the system suitable for day sailing, coastal cruising and passages between several ports.

NV Charts for cruising and long-distance voyages

The NV Charts environment can also be used to prepare cruises lasting several days or weeks.

For a sailing yacht or motorboat undertaking a cruise, the software allows the different stages of the voyage to be prepared while maintaining an overview of the complete itinerary.

A passage in the English Channel, along the French Atlantic coast, in the Mediterranean, North Sea, Baltic Sea or Caribbean can therefore be prepared using the relevant NV Charts coverage available for the area.

For longer voyages, continuity of chart coverage becomes particularly important. Coverage suitable for the departure area does not necessarily cover the entire journey. Navigators should therefore check all required regions, particularly when a voyage includes several stopovers or crosses between different charting areas.

NV Charts App and Web App

The NV Charts ecosystem also includes an application for mobile devices and computers, together with a Web App providing access to navigation functions through a compatible web browser.

The application provides access to charts, trip planning and a range of navigation tools. Depending on the equipment and configuration, it can also be used with GPS positioning.

The Web App provides an additional way of accessing charts and preparing trips from a computer without directly installing the application.

The combination of software, mobile application and Web App allows navigators to choose the most suitable environment for each stage of voyage planning.

NV Charts charting and electronic navigation

NV Charts software forms part of an electronic navigation system, but it should not be considered a substitute for sound navigation practices.

Digital charts are navigation and decision-support tools. Navigators must continue to consider weather, sea conditions, vessel draught, local restrictions and all other relevant information before and during a passage.

Digital charting can also be used alongside other nautical publications. Depending on the area and type of voyage, these may include Shom, Admiralty and NGA charts, sailing directions, port guides, tide information and other appropriate nautical publications.

NV Charts software and paper charts: complementary navigation

Digital navigation does not necessarily mean abandoning paper charts.

NV Charts is particularly interesting because of its approach combining different navigation media. Paper charts remain useful for obtaining an overall view of an area, planning a passage at the chart table and maintaining an independent navigation resource when electronic equipment is unavailable.

The software and application provide a digital environment for route planning and, depending on the configuration, position monitoring.

For serious navigation, combining digital planning with appropriate paper documentation provides useful redundancy and allows information to be cross-checked between different navigation supports.

Who can use NV Charts navigation software?

NV Charts navigation software can be suitable for a wide range of navigators:

• sailors preparing coastal or offshore cruises;

• motorboat users looking for digital charting for their passages;

• cruisers preparing extended voyages;

• crews planning several routes before departure;

• navigators combining paper charts with digital navigation;

• users looking for compatible charting on computers and mobile devices.

It can also be a useful training environment for learning how to prepare a digital route and compare it with the information provided by a paper nautical chart.

Choosing the right NV Charts digital coverage

The software is only one part of the navigation solution. Choosing the correct chart coverage is equally important.

Before selecting NV Charts digital charts, the navigator should determine:

• the exact cruising area;

• the departure and destination ports;

• planned stopovers;

• the type of navigation involved;

• the chart coverage required for the complete itinerary;

• the computer or mobile device to be used.

For a local coastal passage, a regional chart package may be sufficient. For an ocean passage or extended voyage, several chart regions may be required.

The Librairie Maritime Nautic Way provides NV Charts solutions covering a wide range of navigation areas and uses, including digital nautical charts designed for the NV Charts software environment.

FAQ – NV Charts Navigation Software

What is NV Charts navigation software used for?

It provides a digital environment for using NV Charts digital nautical charts, planning routes, studying maritime areas and, depending on the configuration, supporting navigation while underway.

What is the difference between NV Charts software and an NV Charts digital chart?

The digital chart contains the geographic and nautical information, while the software or application provides the environment used to display and work with that information.

Can NV Charts be used on a computer?

Yes. The NV Charts environment is designed for compatible computers and Macs, as well as mobile devices.

Can NV Charts be used on a tablet or smartphone?

Yes. The NV Charts application is available for compatible mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones.

Can routes be planned with NV Charts?

Yes. Route and trip planning are among the main functions of the NV Charts environment.

Is NV Charts suitable for coastal navigation?

Yes. NV Charts digital charts can be used to prepare and support coastal navigation, provided that the appropriate chart coverage is selected.

Is NV Charts suitable for long-distance cruising?

Yes, provided that the relevant chart coverage is available for the complete voyage. Long-distance planning requires particular attention to geographic continuity between chart regions.

Can NV Charts be used with GPS?

The NV Charts application can work with compatible GPS positioning so that the vessel's position can be associated with the digital chart, subject to the hardware and software configuration.

Are paper charts still useful when using NV Charts?

Yes. Paper charts remain valuable for voyage planning and provide an independent navigation resource alongside electronic systems.

Do NV Charts digital charts replace other nautical publications?

No. Depending on the voyage and geographic area, navigators should continue to use appropriate nautical charts, official publications and other information required for safe navigation.