ARCS
What are ARCS?
ARCS is the world’s leading electronic raster chart service. Over 3000 ARCS charts provide extensive, official coverage of the world’s commercial shipping routes, main ports and harbours at a comprehensive range of scales. ARCS charts are licensed on a chart by chart basis to give you maximum flexibility – you only have to pay for the charts you require.
All ARCS charts have the same familiar image and use the same internationally recognised symbology as Admiralty paper charts - making them the easy first step from chart table to electronic navigation.
They provide a high quality digital image and full geographical referencing. They can be fully integrated with Geographic Positional Systems (GPS) to provide real-time navigation.
Who produces/provides ARCS?
Only the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) produces the ARCS charts. Please take into account that ARCS charts cannot be ordered directly from UKHO.
Coverage:
The
ARCS areas
are defined as follows:
- RC1 - North Sea & English Channel to Gibraltar
- RC2 - British Isles (w. coast) and Iceland
- RC3 - Northern Waters and Baltic Sea
- RC4 - Mediterranean and Black Sea
- RC5 - Indian Ocean (n. part) and Red Sea
- RC6 - Singapore to Japan
- RC7 - Australia, Borneo und Philippines
- RC8 - Pacific Ocean
- RC9 - North America (e. coast) and Caribbean
- RC10 - South Atlantic and Indian Ocean (s. part)
- RC11 - Ocean Charts (1:3,500,000 and smaller)
Data formats
The Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) is stored in our proprietary Hydrographic Chart Raster Format (HCRF).
Raster charts are scanned images of paper charts. Each raster image consists of thousands of coloured dots (pixels) that together make a flat image on one layer. Each pixel is geographically referenced enabling real-time display of your vessel position when your chart system is linked to a GPS.
Data encryption:
To ensure protection and security, ARCS charts are only delivered in encrypted format.
Licence Conditions:
The
ARCS Licence Agreement for Navigator
download pdf
shall govern all License Agreements between ChartWorld and its Clients.
The ARCS Navigator service is predominately aimed at the SOLAS market (ie commercial shipping). It is available as an annual subscription which includes a comprehensive weekly update service. All ARCS charts, regardless of time of purchases expire on the same date, i.e. 12-months after subscription start date of the first ARCS charts. ARCS charts shall not be used after expiry date and must then be removed from ECS/ECDIS. The minimum amount for the initial order is 750,- EUR.
- Educational institutions and schools
All institutions that want to use ARCS charts for educational purposes can order the service with a price reduction.