Google Basemaps Patch for MARPLOT 5.1.1 on Windows

A recent Google maps update broke the connection to the three Google basemap options in MARPLOT 5.1.1. Some of the basemaps no longer appear at all. In other cases, the basemaps appear, but they are frozen and do not move as you pan and zoom in MARPLOT.

Ultimately, this will be resolved by a new MARPLOT release, which is currently targeted for mid 2024. In the meantime, there are two temporary options for you to consider to resolve this issue in your MARPLOT 5.1.1 Windows version.

Updated Patch File Available (November 21st): Note that if you have previously applied the MARPLOT m5.html patch file as described in Option 2, that older version of the patch file has become out of date due to another Google update. A newer patch file has been included below with the instructions for applying it. You will need to replace the m5.html file again with the newer version in order to see the Google basemaps.

Option 1: Use an Alternate Basemap

Since this issue only impacts the Google basemaps, you can switch to any of the Esri basemaps or the OpenStreetMap basemap. This will immediately return your MARPLOT to normal functionality and doesn't require any special steps.

Option 2: Manually Replace a MARPLOT File with a Patch

You can return the Google basemaps to functionality if you manually replace a single program file. However, this file is located in the Program Files folder, so you may need elevated administrative permissions (or the assistance of your IT department) to modify files in this location.

  1. Close MARPLOT.
  2. Download a copy of this patch file: m5.html
  3. Go to your MARPLOT 5.1.1 program folder, which will typically be located at C:\Program Files (x86)\MARPLOT.
  4. Inside the dist subfolder, find the old copy of the m5.html file. IMPORTANT: Make sure that you have file extensions shown for that folder and/or that you can confirm you've found the m5 file with the .html file type extension. There is also an m5.js file and an m5.css file, and you want to leave those similarly named files alone.
  5. Delete the old m5.html file (or rename it old_m5.html, if you want to keep a backup). Note that you will likely need elevated administrative permissions (or the help of your IT department) to make changes to files in the Program Files location.
  6. Copy the new m5.html file (that you downloaded in step 2) to the dist subfolder.
  7. Open MARPLOT and return to using any of the Google Maps basemap options.

If you need assistance or have questions, please email orr.cameo@noaa.gov.