CorribCharts.com - FREE digital charts of Lough Corrib

LATEST UPDATE: We are waiting for information about the new buoyage system (IALA) before publishing the paper chart (which will also be available in compact format to facilitate easier use on the lake). We are making 1.17 available as a stop-gap until then on the proviso that it is only a 'fill in' until the new buoyage is implemented. GPS chart updates will be made available as the buoyage changes take effect. The updates to soundings and general chart data will continue as surveys are completed

"CorribCharts" is a digital chart of Lough Corrib which was launched on 15th February 2010. Its creation has been undertaken as a project by two avid users of the lake, Trevor and Niall. The project started back as early as 2007 when the two men started collecting their own data. It was by luck in 2009 that the two were introduced and realised that by using each set of data, quite an impressive mapping project could come together.

The shorelines of the islands and lake were created from aerial photographs. These were then geo-referenced by driving / cruising around the lake to various photo conspicuous points and using the Differential GPS track-logs and waypoint data collected to expand the image into the correct chart datum. The soundings from the original 1846 BA chart of the lake were then individually geo-referenced using headlands and marked points in order to move them into the correct positions and datum, then adjusted for the change in depth of the lake over the last 160 years. These soundings are now being refreshed and expanded with new data gathered over many series of sounding runs on the lake, and additional data is being gathered with side-scan sonar for inclusion in Summer 2010. Every marker that aids navigation has been way-pointed and included on the map; however we are aware that there may be 'local' markers missing (ie. not the responsibility of Corrib Navigation Trustees). As 'eye candy', the most popular routes along the Corrib have also been included.

The chart itself has been created so that it can be exported to any of several different GPS formats (including Garmin Bluechart, Garmin G2 and Nuvi). It can also be used on several ECDIS type setups (Fugawi, Ozi, etc.) There will shortly be a printed version available, which, while it may be slightly unwieldy for use on most boats on the lake, will look great as a wall chart!

Neither Trevor or Niall have any commercial interest, the chart has been created purely as a hobby. These digital charts will not cost the user a cent, and because of this, we will normally not make them available for commercial use. Should commercial interests wish to use the charts, please contact us.