Support for S-63 data (encrypted S-57)?

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10-31-2012 06:38 AM
AlexanderMagnusson
New Contributor
Hello everyone

Does ArcGIS Desktop support reading S-63 encrypted S-57 nautical charts?

Best Regards
Alexander
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2 Replies
GeoffreyGomez
Esri Contributor
Alexander,

The answer to your question in the simplest form is, no ArcGIS Desktop does not support the reading of S-63 encrypted S-57 data.

The background as to why is a little more involved. Essentially, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-63 Data Protection Scheme was conceived to impede unofficial distribution of nautical information for safety concerns and to prevent copyright infringement and data piracy; S-63 intends to protect the integrity of an S-57 ENC and to provide the mariner with a "certificate of authenticity".

Is not a technical problem, is a legal problem; the IHO OEM's agreement establishes that the system (commonly an ECDIS -Electronic Chart Display and Information System used in the bridge of a ship) can't share unencrypted ENC data outside its own system, Esri as a GIS software company is not an OEM and legally banned for decryption, because our software can alter "official" data. Technically we could develop an application to decrypt S-57 ENCs, but legally it would be a breach of the OEM agreement. Esri as a member of a NGO, participates in IHO meetings and is trying to promote the use of unencrypted ENCs for non-navigational purposes.

I hope this provides you with some insight.

Geoff
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AlexanderMagnusson
New Contributor
Yes, thank you for your reply Geoff.
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