Throw away yer paper charts

Ours draws 3-4 amps (on the 12v side of the buck voltage converter) or thereabouts when charging (forgotten what exactly). Have to admit that I was genuinely taken aback at the low draw (comparatively speaking) when charged.

John

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Incidentally, I've just found and purchased a chart plotting application for the Mac (OS X)

It's called GPSNavX (www.gpsnavx.com) and it supports SoftTech's BSB format raster charts (tested it on the Solent set I've been using on the PC).. OK it's not vector but it's a start!!



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Re: Primarily ....

For all below, see PBO May 2004, page 22 ref. Garmin Bluechart. ("No liability is accepted for the use of this product and it must not be used to assist in navigation")

Mentions MCA website press notice 305/99
" There is no legal requirement for any vessel to be fitted with a GPS receiver. Vessels need to be navigated in a professional and seamanlike manner at all times. GPS, therefore, should not be relied on exclusively for all navigational functions."

Also press notice 97/02, which shows a case of a fishing vessel owner being fined £6000 + £3110 costs, and the skipper £8000 + £3110 costs, for not having a paper backup.

Chapter V SOLAS says " The existing requirement is for a ship to carry adequate & up-to-date charts." Definition now of a chart - "a special-purpose map or book or a specially compiled database from which such map or book is derived, which is issued officially by or on the authority of a government -authorised hydrographic office or other relevant governmental institution, and is designed to meet the requirements of marine navigation."

Also see article by William Sandford, page 18 same PBO, "GPS - How safe are we?"

Above suggests we all keep our pencils sharpened & backs up Nigel's comments.

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Re: Primarily ....

Re definition of a chart, etc - look at my earlier post.

SOLAS V actually specifically allows electronic charts and from my understanding of the UK legislation there is only a requirement for pleasure vessels to carry navigation documents (which may be all or some or none of charts, tide tables, pilots, etc) sufficient for safe navigation. There is no specific requirement at all for pleasure vessels to carry, as you claim, paper charts.

Again, I reiterate that I am not against carrying charts, but we must recognise that for many (most?) pleasure vessel outings carrying a chart, whether paper or electronic, is not necessary for safe navigation.

John

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Re: Primarily ....

"There is no specific requirement at all for pleasure vessels to carry, as you claim, paper charts". - I agree, SOLAS V specifically mentions " a specially compiled database", which obviously includes electronic stuff.
My comment regarding papercharts/pencils, was inspired by the possibly over-dependence we all have of electronics coupled with the comments in the article ' GPS is it safe'.
If the US are looking again at LORAN systems, does this confirm a possible problem?


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Re: Primarily ....

Am looking forward to seeing the May PBO when it gets this far. Sounds like the conspiracy theorists have been at work.

What is it about the USA looking at LORAN? - Well they won't have to look very far 'cause they will soon find that they have a LORAN system already for both maritime and aviation (both IFR and VFR) - LORAN-C. Maybe there is some modernised version in the pot but given they already have a LORAN system I would not have thought it sensible to extrapolate that into a criticsm of the GPS.

John

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