Our Data Sources
BoatRoutes is built on authoritative government and open data sources. We do not create navigational data from scratch — instead, we ingest, process, and present official data from NOAA, OpenStreetMap, and other public sources in a format designed for cruising route planning.
Data Sources Overview
Section titled “Data Sources Overview”| Source | Data Type | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NOAA CO-OPS | Tide predictions, current predictions | US waters |
| NOAA ENCs | Coastline, depths, navigation aids | US waters |
| OpenStreetMap | Coastline, base map tiles | Global (used for BC route planning) |
| NOAA Raster Charts | Nautical chart tiles | US waters |
| Esri | Satellite imagery | Global |
How We Use the Data
Section titled “How We Use the Data”Route Generation
Section titled “Route Generation”Our raster-based routing engine uses NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) to build a high-resolution navigation grid. This grid classifies every cell as navigable water or land/hazard, and our routing algorithm finds paths through charted water.
Tide and Current Predictions
Section titled “Tide and Current Predictions”We pull tide height and tidal current predictions from NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). These predictions power our route overlays and station data displays.
Map Tiles
Section titled “Map Tiles”The interactive map supports multiple base layers from different providers, giving you the flexibility to view nautical charts, satellite imagery, or standard road maps.
Data Freshness
Section titled “Data Freshness”- Tide and current predictions — generated from harmonic constants (the set of numbers that describe how a station’s tide rises and falls), which are updated by NOAA periodically. Predictions are accurate for years in advance. For other terms like these, see the Marine Navigation Glossary.
- Chart data (ENCs) — we update our navigation grid when NOAA releases new chart editions. Charts are typically updated several times per year.
- Map tiles — served directly from the provider, always current.
Important Disclaimer
Section titled “Important Disclaimer”BoatRoutes is a planning tool, not a primary navigation aid. Always carry proper nautical charts (paper or electronic) and verify conditions before getting underway. Official NOAA publications take precedence over any data displayed on BoatRoutes.
Predictions are based on astronomical tides and do not account for weather-driven changes such as storm surge, wind-driven currents, or river flooding.