Admiralty Chart Corrections

[JSYmartini]

Can anyone tell me how to go about updating some old charts?

I've found the searchable database at UKHO but it only goes back to 2003.

I recently bought a load of charts at an auction. There was quite a few dating back to 1988 but they're still in print (although probably new editions by now).

Obviously any corrections that were part of a new edition and not part of any NtM will be impossible to find but is there any way of finding NtM's prior to 2003?

Thanks in advance

 

[greenalien]

If you pay a visit to the Cruising Association's library in London, they have a complete set of up-to-date charts, so you can copy in the relevant corrections as needed. You need to be a CA member to visit though! http://www.cruising.org.uk/services/infocentre

 

[JSYmartini]

If you pay a visit to the Cruising Association's library in London, they have a complete set of up-to-date charts, so you can copy in the relevant corrections as needed. You need to be a CA member to visit though! http://www.cruising.org.uk/services/infocentre

Sounds like a "spot the difference" competition on steroids

 

[nigel1]

Most likely all charts from 1988 will have been replaced by new editions, think you may have found yourself quite a task if you want to correct them, not something I would even contemplate.
Sorry to be negative, but it does seem daunting

 

[maxi77]

Sounds like a "spot the difference" competition on steroids

On a properly corrected chart all the corrections applied are noted on the bottom lefthand corner.

 

[john_morris_uk]

On a properly corrected chart all the corrections applied are noted on the bottom lefthand corner.

True, but the numbers don't apply when there's a reprint of the chart. All previous corrections are subsumed into the new print - and if you correct an 'old' chart with the latest corrections, you will have missed out loads of corrections that were included in the reprint.

The fact that most corrections won't make the slightest bit of difference to your navigation is another matter... The trouble is that there will always be one that DOES make a difference - and you never know which one that is going to be.

 

[maxi77]

True, but the numbers don't apply when there's a reprint of the chart. All previous corrections are subsumed into the new print - and if you correct an 'old' chart with the latest corrections, you will have missed out loads of corrections that were included in the reprint.

The fact that most corrections won't make the slightest bit of difference to your navigation is another matter... The trouble is that there will always be one that DOES make a difference - and you never know which one that is going to be.

Back in the days when I navigated one of Her Majesty's black messengers of death reprints did have the past corrections printed on them it was only new editions when you lost the correction record, though may be this like many other fine traditions has dissapeared.

I concur that most corrections will not affect you, the magic trick is to know the ones that will

ps I think one of the reasons for new editions is that corrections are overlaying corrections making correcting the chart impractical suggesting that trying to update a superceded chart may have it's own dangers.

 

[greenalien]

Sounds like a "spot the difference" competition on steroids

Certainly not a task for the fainthearted, or with a hangover - but as other posters have pointed out, once a chart is reissued it no longer has a list of previous corrections appended, so a side-by-side comparison is the only way to be sure the old chart is up to date - and probably less of a nightmare than trying to backtrack through 25 years of 'Notices to Mariners'...

 

[john_morris_uk]

Back in the days when I navigated one of Her Majesty's black messengers of death reprints did have the past corrections printed on them it was only new editions when you lost the correction record, though may be this like many other fine traditions has dissapeared.

I concur that most corrections will not affect you, the magic trick is to know the ones that will

ps I think one of the reasons for new editions is that corrections are overlaying corrections making correcting the chart impractical suggesting that trying to update a superceded chart may have it's own dangers.

Perhaps I should have made clear the difference between 'reprint' and 'new edition'. Reprints still have the correction numbers printed on the bottom left however the Hydrographic Office often print a new edition with no numbers at all. I suppose this makes sense as otherwise charts would be being printed with the entire bottom edge full of numbers dating back many years.

I am sure you are right about the corrections over corrections bit. They probably reprint when they think the chart is starting to get messy.

 

[greenalien]

When you think about it, exactly what is going to change that will affect a yacht? The land is unlikely to move much, any soundings over a few metres don't matter, so it largely comes down to obstructions, prohibited areas and buoyage. Maybe not such an insurmountable task...and if a lot of the buoyage has changed, perhaps that particular chart would be worth replacing.
I have a lot of Mediterranean charts that are up to date, but still based on charts drawn up over 100 years ago...

 

[maxi77]

When you think about it, exactly what is going to change that will affect a yacht? The land is unlikely to move much, any soundings over a few metres don't matter, so it largely comes down to obstructions, prohibited areas and buoyage. Maybe not such an insurmountable task...and if a lot of the buoyage has changed, perhaps that particular chart would be worth replacing.
I have a lot of Mediterranean charts that are up to date, but still based on charts drawn up over 100 years ago...

Yes and no, many are changes to buoy positions or light charateristics, but there are also changes to buildings ashore and also correctiond to those 100 year old surveys when some one finds a previously unreported shallow patch, or parks a wreck in an embarassing place. Mind you changes to lights and buoys can mess uo your day quite severely when making a andfall

 

[tidclacy]

Bite the Bullet and buy new up to date charts. I beleive it is dangerous to use or try to update old charts. Use the old ones for a bit of rough passage planning of distances.

 

[Gelfie]

Put them on the wall and buy new. The SC portfolio's are the best option.