Nav Chartplotter

Nav Chartplotter

Recreational Mariners Sound Off on Navigational Aids and Updates

A recent major survey that polled thousands of recreational mariners as to how (and if) they update their navigational aids also included the chance for them to weigh in on what they think of available nav update sources.  Their comments are very interesting.

Updating of navigational aids is available from both government and private sources: the manufacturers of GPS systems, chart plotters and the like provide nav updates, usually for a fee; and the federal government provides free updates for NOAA charts in the forms of weekly updates (where the mariner must manually update charts) or in the form of all-new "editions" of a chart where all changes since the last edition are incorporated.

So, there are sources available to mariners allowing them to update their navigational data.  There are also lots of opinions as to the value of doing so.

Here are three of the survey categories with comments from respondents.  The categories are: "your primary source for navigation"; "what is your backup"; and "how do you update your nav data".

These are actual word-for-word write-ins from boaters across the U.S. where they sound off on navigational aids and updating of data, whether for paper charts or electronic systems.

"What is your primary source for navigation guidance on board your vessel?"

In this category, many mariners felt that there is no primary source:

"I use use printed charts and a PC based system, and have C-map on both the Furuno chartplotter and the computer."

"My boat has two totally independent GPS systems and all the charts for all the areas that I travel."

"I have printed charts of the area I go to plus I use radar as well as a backup handheld GPS."

"We have paper charts for any places we go. But we also have back handheld GPS and PC based charts to go with them."

"When you have radar and GPS, neither can be primary (NAV Rules). If you travel foreign water, a cruising guide will sometime be primary due to poor charting of many foreign waters."

"Use Traditional NOAA charts or NGA charts as primary, and non-PC based GPS plotter as back-up."

"Primary is always NOAA paper charts."

Some mariners use very low cost navigation methods, such as the person who stated, "I use 2/3 sized black and white paper copies of NOAA charts. We use highlighters to color cans, nuns, 10 & 20 fathom lines and any special features. In unfamiliar waters they are readily available although not at the helm."

This mariner understands the need for a non-electronic backup, because power failure can happen: "I wouldn't cast off without a trip plan and the proper paper charts; electronics are fine as long as there is power."

"What do you use as your primary back-up system"

"Local knowledge of inland river and lakes."  The write-in dealing with "local waters" was a fairly common comment.  However, local knowledge does not mean that there may have been a change to a channel depth, or a new wreck or obstruction, or a change to a bridge height, etc.

"Print out of pre-trip planning waypoints that I can enter into my hand held GPS."

"All paper charts on board...second, GPS."

Apparently the survey about nav aids promted this boater to think about a backup to nav aids more carefully: "Nothing, but we will from now on!"

And this mariner had a priceless response: "My wife, she knows everything!"

"If you don't use a back-up, why not?"

"I have boated in these waters for over 35 years.  Going outside I would use my installed GPS plus NOAA printed charts."

"When in unfamiliar waters, I both print NOAA raster charts of the area and use multiple cruising guides."

"You left off compass - we're not out of sight of shore too often and generally know which way is east - compass helps point the way."

"Most of my boating is in the same areas which I know pretty well. I occasionally go offshore but usually no more than ten miles out or so. If I can still see land, I am good to go. I do have charts but to date have not had to use them other than locating possible fishing spots and wrecks and the like."

"I use my compass for back up."

This mariner had a good take on being more prepared: "If I had the time to go beyond local waters I'd do a refresher course on basic navigation and update my resources accordingly."

"I always have backup charts on board when using electronic systems."

"How concerned are you about the accuracy of the data you use for navigation?"

"The price to update paper charts becomes expensive."  Actually, weekly update information is available free from federal sources, and a new 100% up to date NOAA paper chart, printed "on demand" (NOAA calls it POD and they have a partner which prints these to order) is not expensive as compared to having an accident.

"Details like buoys, lights, etc. change frequently whereas the overall geography, dredge depths, etc. remain relatively consistent."  While this boater is generally correct, a change in a dredge depth can be a big problem for sailboats or larger recreational vessels.  Plus, new obstructions below the surface can't be detected by a light or buoy!

"I receive LNM for the Great Lakes and note changes in my boating area."  The LNM is the free Local Notice to Mariners, and this mariner is certainly a prudent one (and from the survey, an exception.)

"In the northeast, every storm changes the coastline, rivers silt up, dredging occurs.  Just about every official chart is as inaccurate as any other.  Only local knowledge helps."  Wow, this mariner doesn't trust charts!  Fact is, NOAA does a pretty good job at surveying areas that have been affected by a storm.  

"Small scale charts I update infrequently, large scale harbor charts I update more frequently."

"Notice to mariners is almost impossible to use."  And a similar comment: "Updates too complicated to retrieve."  Actually, not that difficult, but takes some initial self-training.  Local USPS units (United States Power Squadrons) can help you learn how to make manual updates.

The bottom line is, there is a great disparity in navigational aids update habits, as well as opinions (and knowledge) of available nav update options.  And many boaters feel that since they sail in familiar waters, they don't need sophisticated (or even paper chart) navigational systems since they know about, or can "see", where they are going.  But they can't see below the surface.

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