S-100: the future of charts

[emilecantin]

The International Hydrographic Organization is currently finalizing a new chart format that is intended to supersede S-57 and S-63 charts: S-100

It should enable more dynamic mapping, such as displaying depths under the keel of the current vessel, at the current tide level (!). A more streamlined format more closely aligned with existing GIS standards should also enable much faster updates; like publishing depth data 48h after a survey.

It's also organized by "layers", so you shouldn't have to re-download the full bathymetric information just to get updates on buoys, for example.

More info here:

https://iho.int/en/introduction-0

[emilecantin]

The Canadian Hydrographic Service provides "UNOFFICIAL, NOT FOR NAVIGATION" files in this format for developers to start supporting this new charting format. More details (and downloads) here:

https://charts.gc.ca/data-gestion/index-eng.html