Navigation charts are necessary both for finding a way in the ocean and for safe inland or overseas navigation. Some time ago, charts were imprecise, with many gaps and a great number of illustrations depicting semi-mythical maritime dwellers. Today’s charts are precise, of various scale and often electronic.

Depending the scale, designation and level of detail, maritime navigation charts can be general, route, private and special-purpose. By themselves, go plans used at port or harbor call. In local navigation, river and lake navigation charts are used.

Application of electronic navigation charts undergoes the period of rapid development. In accordance with international conventions, all sea-going ships are to be equipped with special information systems with S-57 (ENC) electronic navigation charts. However, not all private commercial vendors of electronic charts have good faith. In the course of digitalizing a paper chart, an error can be committed at any stage – from sheet scanning to program failure or the programmer’s technical enquiry mistake.

In Russia, the cartography is strong by tradition and to a large extent thanks to the Chief Directorate for Navigation and Oceanography under the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Currently, S-57 charts are compiled there.