C-MAP

For centuries, the sextant, the compass and the chart were basic tools for navigating. Translating positions and bearings to a paper chart were time consuming, difficult to perform and simply inaccurate. In this century, more sophisticated techniques have been developed for position-finding, such as LORAN, Satellite Navigation and Global Positioning Systems. Today, a new technology has evolved that at last combines chart reading with position-finding, making navigating easier and more exact. This is the new world of electronic charting!

Since the introduction of radar, no other technology has revolutionized the industry like that of electronic charting. C-MAP has been the pioneer of this technology. The flexibility of C-MAP software used in many different ways and with different types of hardware packages gave C-MAP the potential to develop a variety of electronic charting instruments ranging from basic, low-cost units to advanced models with many special features. Together with the best marine electronic manufacturers in the world, C-MAP has introduced countless innovative designs.

In 1984, Fosco Bianchetti and Giuseppe Carnevali co-founded Navionics to market a new type of electronic charting system that was to be built by Bianchetti's manufacturing company. These new systems would be a sophisticated compressed vector system with better display, speed and data size than systems designed using the earlier raster techniques. These systems would make electronic charting practical and economical for boaters of all kinds. The first vector electronic charting system, Geonav, debuted in 1985.

In 1985, Bianchetti left Navionics and formed C-MAP, which developed a totally new method of storing nautical charts on solid-state cartridges. Using processes called "bit-mapping" and "vector-based memory management," technicians at C-MAP took the coastlines, contours and symbols that make up official government charts and transcribed them into a computer as individual pieces of digital data. To store this data, C-MAP chose compact, solid-state EPROM cartridges because they were rugged, seaworthy, convenient to use and easy to update. C-MAP also designed special operating software that allowed users to manipulate the data on the chart cartridge and perform navigational calculations on the screen.

In addition, Bianchetti spared no effort in developing a library of charts for all key areas, regardless of the actual sales of plotters. C-Map's library now holds more than 15,000 charts worldwide.

In 1987, C-MAP/Italy began manufacturing its own private label systems. Initially, this was done for Datamarine, and later for several other chart plotter manufacturers who sold the units under their own names - both in Europe and the United States. C-MAP also licensed chart plotter manufacturers (referred to as Partners) to use its internal components in their own systems. Next, the actual development of the software became a cooperative effort between C-MAP and its Partners, who would customize the software to target specific markets such as commercial or high-end recreational.

In 1993, C-MAP saw the need for supplying data to large commercial vessels, and developed a database format called CM-93® to fulfill this need. The database is S57/DX90 compliant and is designed specifically for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), which satisfy the International Maritime Organization (IMO) performance standards. Since the database is generated from paper charts, every chart cell is referenced to its original chart. Updates to the database, based on official Notice To Mariners publications, are continuous. In addition, new charts are incorporated into the database on a priority list that reflects requests from users and manufacturers. Updated CDs are produced by C-MAP every six months.

In 1995, C-MAP introduced C-MAP NT, the next generation of electronic chart technology. It offered more chart information, smoother yet faster panning and zooming, and an expanded menu of features. This new data is stored on C-MAP NT C-cards™, which became the smallest, most reliable format in the industry. With the introduction of C-MAP NT, Fosco Bianchetti met his goal of providing the recreational boater and the professional navigator with reliable and easy- to-use Electronic Charting Systems of unprecedented power.

The outdoor market for fishing, boating and camping inspired the introduction of Inland Cartography in 1997, and the Super Lake Series in 1998. Both use the same horizontally seamless format of NT and are compatible with all NT electronic charting systems. Inland Cartography is comprised of USGS 1:100,000 scale maps that cover the continental United States. The Super Lake Series, a growing list of the most popular lakes in the United States and Canada, are highly detailed, large-scale maps containing bottom contours and detailed local shore side information; marinas; boat launching areas and campsites.

In 2002, C-MAP just got better with the introduction of the next generation of NT. NT+ is an advanced new generation of vector-based electronic charts. NT+ offers navigators a new graphic presentation, enhanced performance and greater coverage areas… all at a reduced cost.

C-MAP has been the force behind the evolution of electronic charting. The C-MAP Group has grown to 21 companies based in 17 countries around the world. The companies include: C-MAP/Australia, C-MAP/Baltic, C-MAP/China, C-MAP/France, C-MAP/Greece, C-MAP/Holland, C-MAP/Italy, C-MAP/Japan, C-MAP/Korea, C-MAP/Malaysia, C-MAP/Middle East, C-MAP/Norway, C-MAP/Poland, C-MAP/Russia, C-MAP/South Africa, C-MAP/UK, C-MAP/USA, AvMap, AvMap/Navigation, C-MAP/Aviation, and C-MAP/Commercial