Official electronic charts may be downloaded free of charge from the websites listed below. When you download charts from these sites, a "ZIP" file is sent to your computer. A ZIP file is a sort of compressed file folder that must have its contents "extracted" before they can be used. However Coastal Explorer will take care of extracting the files and installing the charts for you.

1. Use one of the websites below to select and order the charts you want (they say "order", but don't worry, the charts are free!)
2. After ordering the charts you should see a message about how your selected charts have been packed into an "Exchange Set" which has been compressed into a ZIP file. At the end of this message is a Download button which you should click
3. Now you should see a popup message asking if you want to Open or Save the file; choose Save.
4. Next you should see a window informing you that your download is in progress.
5. When the download is complete, Coastal Explorer will automatically install your new charts.

Online Chart Suppliers:

	NOAA ENC® Vector charts for most of the US coast.
	NOAA RNC™ Raster charts for the complete US coast.
	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Inland ENC Vector charts for major US rivers including the Atchafalaya, Black Warrior, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Red, and Tombigbee.