Good discussion. I believe Nigel Caulder in one of his books touched on how dated some of the data in our charts is. In some cases going back hundreds of years. Current technology is so much more accurate now than it was back then. Prior to gps Mariners would leave a healthy margin to clear shoals or obstructions appreciating the weaknesses of accurate charting and navigation. Now, with gps some might reduce that margin for error assuming that obstruction is accurately represented on the digital chart and my plotter will guide me within metres of each obstruction. Well that’s a dangerous assumption. Further in some instances the gps datum may not be set correctly in your plotter, leading to more misleading digital chart information. If I’m navigating in unfamiliar waters, I review and plot my course with paper charts, consult the light list and notices to Mariners as appropriate and then transfer the waypoints, with a healthy margin of safety, to my chart-plotter. Now I’m comfortably set for the cruise. If the plotter goes south, there’s no panic, just do it old school.

@jamesconger8509

3 жыл бұрын

Well said.

Thanks for your insights and happy new year from a Bay local.

@jamesconger8509

3 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year!