NGA Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sea of Marmara Nautical Chart

The area covered by NGA nautical charts for the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Marmara forms a maritime region of global strategic importance, extending from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Bosphorus and the Georgian coast. Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop offers a specialised selection of documentation produced by the NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), providing essential resources for modern navigation. These reliable technical resources provide leisure sailors, fishermen and professional mariners with precise support for planning routes and operations in coastal and offshore waters. Choosing the right chart for your navigation is essential for safety and accuracy when navigating these regions, which present highly varied hydrographic conditions.

What is this nautical chart used for?

The value of an NGA nautical chart lies in its ability to provide a solid and comprehensive basis for voyage planning.

• International route planning: These charts represent a global professional standard used by commercial shipping and fishing fleets to support safe offshore navigation.

• Precise operational support: They incorporate geospatial data and essential maritime safety information for planning manoeuvres in coastal waters.

• Strategic overview: Unlike digital systems, a paper chart provides a robust overall view, making it particularly useful for developing an effective route strategy.

• Essential backup: Despite the widespread use of GPS and ECDIS, the paper chart remains essential in the event of electronic system failure.

Which type of navigator is this chart recommended for?

Nautic Way recommends these charts to a wide range of maritime users, from training centres to professional vessels.

• Long-distance leisure sailors: Particularly useful for those undertaking ocean passages or navigating outside Europe who require reliable nautical documentation.

• Coastal and offshore fishermen: They facilitate the identification of fishing areas and the planning of fishing operations through detailed representations of maritime boundaries.

• Shipowners and professional mariners: Used to support the vessel's charting documentation requirements and anticipate sensitive areas along international commercial routes.

• Navigation schools and training centres: They provide a comprehensive teaching resource through the use of standardised symbols and coverage of a wide variety of maritime areas.

Reading and understanding the chart

The value of NGA charts lies in their technical accuracy and professional format, designed for practical use at sea.

• Professional large-format presentation: The charts are printed on high-quality paper, making them well suited to navigation exercises on a chart table.

• Appropriate scales: The catalogue includes charts covering coastal, nearshore and offshore areas, allowing precise and controlled navigation.

• Standardised IHO (INT Chart) symbols: Chart codes, colours and symbols comply with international conventions, providing familiar chart symbology for navigators trained in Europe.

• Essential information: Each chart includes soundings, expressed in metres or fathoms, seabed characteristics, channels, port infrastructure such as quays, as well as isolated dangers and wrecks.

• Regulatory information: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries, military areas, and lighthouse and light sectors are clearly identified.

Reliability, updates and safety

Reliable information is the foundation of safe and effective navigation using NGA charts.

• Regular updates: NGA charts benefit from Notices to Mariners and frequent corrections reflecting changes to aids to navigation.

• Recent editions: Nautic Way is committed to supplying charts from the latest available edition, ensuring that the documentation is current and ready for use upon receipt.

• Safety and professional use: These charts may be required in certain professional navigation contexts and provide an essential additional safety resource for offshore navigation.

Nautic Way expertise for mariners

Choosing Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop means relying on a recognised specialist in nautical charts and navigation books.

• Specialist expertise: Nautic Way assists leisure sailors and professional mariners in preparing their navigation documentation through a comprehensive catalogue of more than 25,000 references.

• Expert advice: Our team can help you assemble a complete set of charts according to your specific navigation area.

• Location and service: Based in Challans (85300), France, at 9 rue Benjamin Rabier, Nautic Way provides access to specialised nautical charting resources covering maritime regions worldwide.

FAQ

Which NGA nautical chart should I choose for navigation in this area?
The catalogue is organised by geographical areas and chart series numbers, for example NGA 55001 for the Black Sea. You can also use our interactive chart tool to identify the charts best suited to your route.

Is this chart sufficient on its own for safe navigation?
Although comprehensive, NGA charts are often an essential complement to national charts and should be used as part of a complete navigation strategy that includes light lists and sailing directions.

How often should an NGA chart be replaced?
It is essential to use the latest available edition to ensure the accuracy of safety information. Nautic Way systematically supplies the most recent available versions.

Can NGA charts be used with GPS?
Yes. NGA paper charts provide a reliable reference for checking electronic navigation data and allow accurate manual position plotting using the geographical reference information shown on the chart.

What is the difference between an NGA chart and a SHOM chart?
While SHOM primarily focuses on French waters, the NGA provides extensive worldwide coverage, including international waters and areas where coverage from other hydrographic authorities may be limited, using standardised INT chart symbols.