OpenSeaMap
Encyclopedia
OpenSeaMap is a software project
collecting freely usable nautical information and geospatial
data to create a worldwide nautical chart
. This chart is available on the OpenSeaMap website, and can also be downloaded for use as an electronic chart for offline applications.
The project is part of OpenStreetMap
. OpenSeaMap uses the same database, and complements the spatial data with nautical information. Such data may be used in accordance with Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license. This ensures integration into printed materials, websites and applications is possible, without being limited by restrictive licenses, or having to pay fees. The naming of OpenSeaMap as a data source is required for data sharing.
, Germany
. A group of boaters and programmers decided to extend the coverage of OpenStreetMap to the seas and fresh water bodies. From the start the project has been worldwide and multilingual. By the end of 2009, the design and architecture of the project had been created, and a sample harbor "Warnemünde
" was created to serve as an example chart. Since autumn 2009, a dedicated server has been available and the project is engaged in several collaborations with other free projects and organizations.
In January 2010 OpenSeaMap was given a stand at boot Düsseldorf
, Europe's largest boat show, allowing volunteers to present the project to a large audience of specialists for the first time.
Charts will show lighthouses, lateral buoy, cardinal mark
s and other navigational aids. In the ports, facilities will be mapped (port wall, pier, walkways, docks, fueling stations, loading cranes, access roads, railway lines, ferry lines). Similarly, public authorities, shipbuilders and repairers, as well as sanitation and utility facilities will be displayed. The navigational attributes correspond to the international standard IHO S-57.
Water depths are not yet covered, because the database is not designed for three-dimensional coordinates. However, the plan is to eventually integrate a bathymetric
model to describe the seabed.
The data are presented in multiple levels with OpenLayers
on the base map of OpenStreetMap. The base map contains all the possible objects from OpenStreetmap. OpenSeaMap includes additional layers such as aids to navigation, ports and temporary racing events.
and boat trips. It will also be useful as a guide for tourists. It is not intended to replace official charts.
Online Map
Offline Map
Navigation
OpenSeaMap online editor for beacon
Offline Editor JOSM with navigational enhancements
To edit you must register with a verified email address. Registration is free and will encourage high data quality. Read access does not require registration.
Other programs can access the XML-RPC
interface to the data on the server in order to read and write OpenSeaMap data.
, marina
and anchorage. Via a pop-up window these are linked with a port guide containing detailed port information. This guide is organized as a Wiki
and is shaped by the users. Included is the free wikiproject "SkipperGuide" . 5000 ports are accessible worldwide, including detailed descriptions of 600 marinas.
For each harbour there is a Meteogram
with detailed wind forecasts and weather informations for eight days. Available weather data for wind direction, wind speed, air temperature, air pressure, relative humidity, cloudiness, precipitation. From this worldwide available data the captains can predict the marine weather.
and its bathymetric GEBCO_08-database.
Another project cooperating with OpenSeaMap that uses crowdsourcing
to generate marine data is TeamSurv http://www.teamsurv.eu. TeamSurv concentrates on bathymetric charts
. Its members record both position data from the GPS, and depth information from their depth sounder, and once uploaded to the server the depth data is corrected for tides and other factors to reduce it to chart datum.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
collecting freely usable nautical information and geospatial
Geospatial
Geospatial analysis is an approach to applying statistical analysis and other informational techniques to geographically based data. Such analysis employs spatial software and analytical methods with terrestrial or geographic datasets, including geographic information systems and...
data to create a worldwide nautical chart
Nautical chart
A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent coastal regions. Depending on the scale of the chart, it may show depths of water and heights of land , natural features of the seabed, details of the coastline, navigational hazards, locations of natural and man-made aids...
. This chart is available on the OpenSeaMap website, and can also be downloaded for use as an electronic chart for offline applications.
The project is part of OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. Two major driving forces behind the establishment and growth of OSM have been restrictions on use or availability of map information across much of the world and the advent of inexpensive portable GPS devices.The...
. OpenSeaMap uses the same database, and complements the spatial data with nautical information. Such data may be used in accordance with Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license. This ensures integration into printed materials, websites and applications is possible, without being limited by restrictive licenses, or having to pay fees. The naming of OpenSeaMap as a data source is required for data sharing.
History
The idea for the project was born at an OpenStreetMap developer conference in autumn 2008 at the Linux Hotel in EssenEssen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. A group of boaters and programmers decided to extend the coverage of OpenStreetMap to the seas and fresh water bodies. From the start the project has been worldwide and multilingual. By the end of 2009, the design and architecture of the project had been created, and a sample harbor "Warnemünde
Warnemünde
Warnemünde is a sea resort and northmost district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, situated on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow.- History :...
" was created to serve as an example chart. Since autumn 2009, a dedicated server has been available and the project is engaged in several collaborations with other free projects and organizations.
In January 2010 OpenSeaMap was given a stand at boot Düsseldorf
Boot Düsseldorf
The Düsseldorf International Boat Show , more commonly known as boot Düsseldorf or just boot , is one of the world's premier boat shows....
, Europe's largest boat show, allowing volunteers to present the project to a large audience of specialists for the first time.
Contents of the chart
Cardinal mark
A cardinal mark is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water....
s and other navigational aids. In the ports, facilities will be mapped (port wall, pier, walkways, docks, fueling stations, loading cranes, access roads, railway lines, ferry lines). Similarly, public authorities, shipbuilders and repairers, as well as sanitation and utility facilities will be displayed. The navigational attributes correspond to the international standard IHO S-57.
Water depths are not yet covered, because the database is not designed for three-dimensional coordinates. However, the plan is to eventually integrate a bathymetric
Bathymetry
Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of lake or ocean floors. In other words, bathymetry is the underwater equivalent to hypsometry. The name comes from Greek βαθύς , "deep", and μέτρον , "measure"...
model to describe the seabed.
The data are presented in multiple levels with OpenLayers
OpenLayers
OpenLayers is an open source JavaScript library for displaying map data in web browsers. It provides an API for building rich web-based geographic applications similar to Google Maps and Bing Maps...
on the base map of OpenStreetMap. The base map contains all the possible objects from OpenStreetmap. OpenSeaMap includes additional layers such as aids to navigation, ports and temporary racing events.
Applications
The chart is for planning sailingSailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
and boat trips. It will also be useful as a guide for tourists. It is not intended to replace official charts.
Online Map
- The map is available to any computer with an internet connection from the website OpenSeaMap.org. This map is updated daily.
Offline Map
- The map can also be loaded on local data storage and can be used on any PC without internet access. This map will also permit use on other devices, such as GPS devices from Garmin and Lowrance, phones, and PDAs. The off-map is regularly updated, usually every week.
Navigation
- With certain navigation programs, it is possible to display the current position directly on the chart via a connected GPS device, tracking a vessel's movement. An NMEA interfaceNMEANMEA 0183 is a combined electrical and data specification for communication between marine electronic devices such as echo sounder, sonars, anemometer, gyrocompass, autopilot, GPS receivers and many other types of instruments. It has been defined by,...
can run an autopilotAutopilotAn autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. An autopilot can refer specifically to aircraft, self-steering gear for boats, or auto guidance of space craft and missiles...
and thus control the ship. Also, the display of AIS signalsAutomatic Identification SystemThe Automatic Identification System is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by Vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and AIS Base stations...
on the chart is possible. Appropriate navigation tools from the open source area are SeaClear and OpenCPN.
Internationalization
The site is translated into six languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. The tools and the legends are available with a German, English and French interface. On the map the place names are always written in local language and script. The geographical coverage is worldwide. Depending on the region and the active cartographers, the coverage varies but is growing daily.Timeliness
Data is stored in the database as soon as it has been entered, and is immediately available worldwide. Base map data is visible on the map after a few minutes. Navigational data is currently (2010) visible on the chart about two days after it has been entered.Editing Tools
There are two programs available for editing data:OpenSeaMap online editor for beacon
- The online editor was designed specifically for OpenSeaMap. It provides the user with a GUI for entering data without having to be familiar with the underlying schema. It runs on any standard web browserWeb browserA web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
.
Offline Editor JOSM with navigational enhancements
- JOSM is the default editor for OpenStreetMap. It has been extended for use on navigational charts with a plugin. It is written in JavaJava (programming language)Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
and runs on multiple desktop platforms
To edit you must register with a verified email address. Registration is free and will encourage high data quality. Read access does not require registration.
Other programs can access the XML-RPC
XML-RPC
XML-RPC is a remote procedure call protocol which uses XML to encode its calls and HTTP as a transport mechanism. "XML-RPC" also refers generically to the use of XML for remote procedure call, independently of the specific protocol...
interface to the data on the server in order to read and write OpenSeaMap data.
Harbor Pilots
On the map are the world portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
, marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
and anchorage. Via a pop-up window these are linked with a port guide containing detailed port information. This guide is organized as a Wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
and is shaped by the users. Included is the free wikiproject "SkipperGuide" . 5000 ports are accessible worldwide, including detailed descriptions of 600 marinas.
Weather information
In worldwide weather charts there are shown weather data like wind speed, air pressure (isobars), etc, each actualised two to three times per day, and with weather forecast up to three days.For each harbour there is a Meteogram
Meteogram
A meteogram is a time cross-section that produces and uses data for a specific weather station on the ground. It can display past weather conditions up to the current time or forecast conditions from the current time out into the future...
with detailed wind forecasts and weather informations for eight days. Available weather data for wind direction, wind speed, air temperature, air pressure, relative humidity, cloudiness, precipitation. From this worldwide available data the captains can predict the marine weather.
Batymetric data
Worldwide the depth between 100 and 10'000 m are showed in a 23 steps blue colour scale together with deep shading. In higher zoom levels there are also shown deep lines. The data is given by a cooperation with GEBCOGeneral Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans
The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans is a publicly available bathymetry of the world's oceans. The project was conceived with the aim of preparing a global series of charts showing the general shape of the seafloor...
and its bathymetric GEBCO_08-database.
Another project cooperating with OpenSeaMap that uses crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is the act of sourcing tasks traditionally performed by specific individuals to a group of people or community through an open call....
to generate marine data is TeamSurv http://www.teamsurv.eu. TeamSurv concentrates on bathymetric charts
Bathymetric charts
A bathymetric chart is the submerged equivalent of an above-water topographic map. Bathymetric charts are designed to present accurate, measurable description and visual presentation of the submerged terrain....
. Its members record both position data from the GPS, and depth information from their depth sounder, and once uploaded to the server the depth data is corrected for tides and other factors to reduce it to chart datum.