The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now
provides the public with free downloads of 1000 U.S. nautical
charts. Charts are available in 2 formats, raster navigation
chart (RNC) and electronic navigation chart (ENC).
Charts are not directly viewable, but rather require a
viewing program to use them. A variety of commercial programs
can view and manipulate RNC and ENC charts.
To download NOAA charts, visit
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/, choose the Nautical
Charts and Publications tab, then choose the Coastal Map and
Vector tab.
Following the links to the format of choice will take you
to an agreement page. After completing the agreement, you can
browse to charts by map or numerical identification.
The NOAA chart site also has links to software demos of
programs for viewing RNC and ENC charts.
In addition, free, printable chart booklets covering much
of the Chesapeake Bay can be downloaded here:
http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/bookletcharts/
These charts can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader and do
not need a special chart viewing program.