Overview
Feature Highlights Strip
Navigate with integrated raster and vector chart data sourced from official hydrographic offices and enriched with detailed nautical features.
Visualize bottom structure with high-resolution bathymetry and BathyVision 3D contour mapping for shallow-water navigation.
Overlay satellite photography with chart data for realistic visual identification of ports, anchorages, and coastal landmarks.
View realistic shoreline altimetry and perspective horizons to identify port entries and channel approaches from offshore.
Customize chart display by toggling between raster imagery, vector layers, bathymetric overlays, and satellite views within TimeZero software.
Compatible with TimeZero Navigator v5 and TimeZero Professional v5, purpose-built for recreational and professional navigation applications.
High-Resolution Bathymetry
Navigate Coastal Approaches with Confidence
High-resolution bathymetric data transforms chart contour lines into intuitive 3D bottom representations, providing essential depth awareness when navigating into Western Mediterranean ports, anchorages, and harbor approaches. The graphic interpretation of contour data creates detailed bottom profiles invaluable for approach planning and anchorage selection.
The BathyVision feature displays bottom topography in color and contour line overlays, allowing mariners to dynamically adjust the visualization to suit their navigation needs. This capability is particularly critical in the Western Mediterranean, where steep continental shelf gradients create rapid depth transitions near shore, rocky headlands and submerged reefs line popular coastal passages, and harbor approaches require precise depth knowledge in confined waters shared by commercial and recreational traffic.
Mariners approaching the Balearic Islands, entering the tight harbors along the Côte d’Azur, or navigating the Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia benefit from bottom structure visualization that flat chart views cannot replicate.
Raster and Vector Chart Fusion
Official Charts Enhanced with Intelligent Data Layers
TZ Maps combines two complementary chart formats to deliver maximum navigational confidence. Georeferenced raster data presents true-color digital copies of official hydrographic office paper charts, the same familiar chart view that mariners have relied on for decades. These images provide a reliable visual reference that experienced navigators can interpret immediately.
Vector data operates alongside raster imagery using a database-driven approach that stores information in discrete layers and records every nautical feature independently. This format enables interactive chart queries, object-based search, and depth value interrogation that static raster imagery cannot provide.
The Western Mediterranean benefits from strong official hydrographic coverage produced by Spanish, French, and Italian national hydrographic services. TZ Maps integrates this multi-national chart data into a seamless navigational package, eliminating the need to manage separate chart folios when crossing between national hydrographic jurisdictions during a single coastal passage.
Satellite Photo Overlay
See the Real Landscape Behind the Chart
TZ Maps fuses satellite photography with raster and vector chart data, presenting only the visual information essential for safe navigation. Standard-resolution satellite images are included in every TZ Maps data pack, with high-definition options available for selected areas.
This overlay capability proves especially valuable across the Western Mediterranean, where visual identification of harbor breakwaters, marina entrances, and anchorage positions against complex urban coastlines aids safe approach navigation. Mariners arriving at unfamiliar ports along the Spanish Costa Brava, the crowded harbor approaches of the French Riviera, or the anchorages of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda can correlate chart data with actual terrain appearance before the approach begins.
Realistic Shoreline Views
Identify Port Entries and Coastal Features from the Horizon
TZ Maps employs altimetry to render shorelines with realistic elevation perspective, creating 3D views that simulate the visual horizon as seen from the bridge. This perspective rendering aids instant identification of port entrances, marina channels, and specific shoreline landmarks during approach.
In the Western Mediterranean, where mountainous coastlines create dramatic but complex visual profiles from offshore, realistic shoreline rendering provides valuable situational awareness. Mariners can preview the visual profile of their destination before arrival, distinguishing harbor entrances from adjacent coastal features along high-density shorelines where marinas, commercial ports, and residential developments occupy consecutive coves and inlets.
Detailed Land Information
Understand the Coastline and Nearby Infrastructure
Beyond waterway navigation data, TZ Maps integrates detailed land information that enhances understanding of coastlines and nearby infrastructure. Road networks, settlement locations, and coastal facility positions are rendered alongside maritime chart data.
This integrated land detail supports voyage planning across the Western Mediterranean, where mariners frequently coordinate shoreside logistics, including fuel procurement, provisioning, customs clearance, and crew transfer at ports ranging from major commercial hubs to small island harbors with limited facilities.
Software Compatibility
Purpose-Built for TimeZero Navigation Software
The TZ Map: Western Mediterranean is designed for use with TimeZero navigation software platforms. Compatible applications include:
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TimeZero Navigator v5: Full-featured navigation software for recreational and professional mariners
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TimeZero Professional v5: Advanced navigation platform with commercial vessel capabilities
TZ Maps are delivered as data packs that load directly into compatible TimeZero software installations. This chart pack is not compatible with standalone chartplotters from other manufacturers. Mariners using Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, or other hardware-based chartplotters should consult the ANS digital charts catalog for compatible chart products.
Need assistance determining the right chart format for your bridge electronics? Contact the ANS navigation team for personalized guidance on matching chart products to your vessel equipment.
Complete Setup
Complete Your Mediterranean Navigation Setup
TimeZero Navigation Software
TZ Maps require compatible TimeZero software. Choose TimeZero Navigator v5 for recreational cruising or TimeZero Professional v5 for advanced commercial navigation features.
Additional TZ Map Regions
Expand coverage with the TZ Map: Eastern Mediterranean for full basin coverage, or add TZ Map: British Islands, Gulf of Biscay, or Baltic Sea packs for extended European voyages. Multiple TZ Map packs load seamlessly within the same TimeZero software installation.
Mediterranean Cruising Guides
Supplement digital chart data with detailed anchorage descriptions, approach instructions, and local facility information from dedicated Mediterranean cruising guides available through ANS.
ADMIRALTY Paper Charts: Mediterranean Coverage
Commercial vessels subject to SOLAS chart carriage requirements should maintain official paper chart backup for primary navigation areas. ADMIRALTY charts covering the Western Mediterranean are available through the ANS Chart Selector .
Need Help Choosing the Right Charting Solution?
The ANS navigation team provides personalized guidance on chart selection, software compatibility, and compliance requirements for vessels of all types. Whether outfitting a yacht for Mediterranean coastal cruising or equipping a commercial vessel for European trading routes, ANS specialists match chart products to your vessel, cruising plans, and bridge electronics.
Phone: +1 (954) 522-3321
WhatsApp: +1 (954) 292-4212
Email: sales@amnautical.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm | Sat 9 am–5 pm EST
FAQs
Q1. What areas does the TZ Map: Western Mediterranean cover?
This chart pack provides navigational coverage across the Western Mediterranean basin, including the coasts of Spain, the Balearic Islands, Southern France, Corsica, Western Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, and the North African coastline from the Strait of Gibraltar eastward.
Q2. What software is required to use TZ Maps?
TZ Maps require TimeZero Navigator v5 or TimeZero Professional v5 software installed on a compatible computer system. TZ Maps do not operate on standalone chartplotters from other manufacturers.
Q3. Can TZ Maps be used for SOLAS chart carriage compliance?
TZ Maps are designed for navigation planning and situational awareness. Vessels subject to SOLAS Chapter V carriage requirements should verify that their chart products and navigation equipment meet applicable flag state standards. Contact ANS for guidance on SOLAS-compliant chart solutions.
Q4. What chart data types are included in the TZ Map pack?
Each TZ Map pack integrates georeferenced raster charts (official hydrographic office imagery), vector chart data, high-resolution bathymetry with BathyVision 3D display, satellite photography overlay, and detailed land information, including coastline features and infrastructure.
Q5. Can multiple TZ Map regions be used simultaneously?
Multiple TZ Map data packs can be installed within the same TimeZero software environment, providing seamless coverage transitions when navigating between regions. Combining the Western Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean packs delivers complete basin coverage for full Mediterranean passages.