The Survey of the Coast was established in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson to support safe transportation through a new nation's uncharted waters. Two centuries later, the Office of Coast Survey, now part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to provide products and services that ensure safe and efficient maritime commerce--contributing more than one trillion dollars to our Nation's economy. Maritime commerce is crucial to the U.S. economy. The United States is the world’s largest trading nation, accounting for over one billion metric tons or nearly 20 percent of world oceanborne trade. Over 95 percent of overseas trade by tonnage is shipped by sea. Accurate, up-to-date nautical charts play a critical role in ensuring safe passage in U.S. waters. Coast Survey is responsible for producing and maintaining a suite of over 1000 nautical charts that covers the coastal waters of the U.S., the Great Lakes, and some U.S. territories (Learn more: Marine Chart Division). These charts are produced in both paper and electronic format. Coast Survey also produces a number of nautical publications—most notably, a set of the U.S. Coast Pilots.    Coast Survey is responsible for acquiring hydrographic data in support of NOAA’s nautical charting program.  This is accomplished using a mix of NOAA-owned and contract hydrographic survey vessels.  Coast Survey establishes standards, creates project instructions, and evaluates the adequacy of survey data collected by field units. Survey information is then applied to nautical charts by Coast Survey cartographers.   (Learn more: Hydrographic Surveys Division) The Coast Survey Development Laboratory develops and improves cartographic, hydrographic, and oceanographic systems.  This component helps to provide products and services for the coastal marine community, especially in support of safe and efficient navigation and the utilization and protection of the coast. (Learn more: Coast Survey Development Laboratory)     Coast Survey also maintains a workforce composed of approximately 225 full time federal employees and 20 NOAA Corps Officers. The workforce is primarily made up cartographers, physical scientists, computer specialists, and other support personnel.  The majority of Coast Survey personnel are located at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.  Branch offices, staffed with cartographers for reviewing hydrographic surveys, are located in Norfolk and Seattle.  Coast Survey also maintains a group of ten Navigation Managers scattered through key coastal locations throughout the country.  Navigation Managers serve as Coast Survey’s ambassadors to the maritime community. They help identify the challenges facing marine transportation and NOAA’s nautical charting program.  (Learn more: Navigation Services Division)