Gulf Coast – Key West to Mississippi River – Chart 11006

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is responsible for providing nautical charts for most of the United States, with a suite of over 1000 charts encompassing the coasts of the U.S., the Great Lakes, and the U.S. territories. Each NOAA nautical chart contains a vast amount of information unique to the geographic area that it covers. While each chart is unique, it is assembled using standard conventions that are understood by the mariner.

Usage Matters

We know NOAA Charts can be beautiful just to look at or add the perfect decoration to your themed room. Let us know in your order notes at checkout if you want these to be set up for decorative purposes!

What Is A Nautical Chart?

A nautical chart is one of the most fundamental tools available to the mariner. It is a map that depicts the configuration of the shoreline and seafloor. It provides water depths, locations of dangers to navigation, locations and characteristics of aids to navigation, anchorages, and other features. The nautical chart is essential for safe navigation. Mariners use charts to plan voyages and navigate ships safely and economically. Federal regulations require most commercial vessels to carry nautical charts while they transit U.S. waters. Since the mid-1830s, the U.S. Coast Survey (a NOAA predecessor agency) has been the nation’s nautical chartmaker. NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is still responsible for creating and maintaining all charts of U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and waters surrounding U.S. territories.

Finishing Options

Most wall maps are offered in a variety of finishing options. If you need a map that’s ready to hang on the wall, we can frame or martin mount your map to save you time and money. Here are the details, contact us with questions.

Paper

Paper finishing is the most economical option. Most maps are printed on premium 36lb paper. Waterproof paper is also available for functional maps that may be used outdoors.

laminated

Paper maps are printed then run through our laminator that secures 1.7mil-thick satin-gloss-finished lamination on the front and back. Use map stickers and wet-erase markers on your map.

mounted

Paper maps are printed then laminated with 1.7mil-thick satin lamination onto 1/4″-thick foamcore. You can use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers with our mounted maps.

Rails

First, we laminate the map then we mount wood rails at the top and bottom of the map. The front side of each rail is finished with a black or walnut finish. The sides and back are unfinished. Sawtooth hardware is fixed to the back of the top rail, so it’s ready to hang. Use stickers or wet-erase markers on your map.

Martin Mount

First, we laminate the map onto foamcore then we mount wood rails at the top and bottom of the map. The front side of each rail is finished with a black or walnut finish. The sides and back are unfinished. Sawtooth hardware is fixed to the back of the top rail. Use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers on your maps.

Framed

Maps are laminated onto foam core then secured into the frame. The engineered molding is made from recycled wood in either a black or walnut-finish. Most map moldings are 2″ x 3/4″ but maps 24″ x 36″ and under use a 1.25″ wide molding. You can use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers on all our framed maps.

Spring Roller

The map is laminated then installed on a spring roller and backboard. Multiple maps can be placed on a spring roller. Please click here to read more details.