Vector Nautical Chart

A digital chart whose features are stored as individually encoded points, lines, areas and attributes.

Vector data allow the display system to select layers, interrogate objects, change presentation by scale and apply safety settings or alarms. An official Electronic Navigational Chart is a vector chart produced to IHO standards by or under a government hydrographic authority, but not every commercial vector chart is an ENC.

Zooming does not create survey detail or positional accuracy, and filtering can hide information. Scale or compilation usage, update status, source quality, display settings and official status must be checked before treating the chart as suitable for primary navigation.