NOAA paper charts are dead in the water

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that beginning in April 2014, it will no longer print the detailed lithographic nautical charts that have been a staple of navigation since 1862. NOAA says that mariners are increasingly forgoing the paper maps in favor of easily updated electronic charts that show multifaceted information. As a final nod to paper, the agency will continue to offer printed charts as a print-on-demand service through private vendors.