T&T: NOAA charts

[bob Austin]

Sure it used to be that every chart was hand corrected to the date it was sold
at "SouthWest Instrument Company" in San Pedro CA (and a bunch of other
commercial chart suppliers).  But the reality of any chart is that it is never
corrected up to date, even if you down load the latest notice to mariners. In
fact it often takes weeks or more to get an item in the NTM.

Then consider that well over half the charts of the world don't even have a
correct datum position, since they were based on survey's done a century ago.
Sure, theoretically it would be nice to have the latest update.  But we found
that was just not practical.  If we came to a questional situation when
approaching a new harbor from sea, often we would wait until we saw a local
vessel heading in, and kept a very sharp look out.  The reality of safe
navigation is not just corrected charts, but a true situational awareness.
For example the BC Ferry which went on the rocks (and many other commercial
and recreational ships this last year) had the latest charts and corrections
aboard.  The persons on the bridge just made mistakes in judgement!  I would
much rather have a prudent mariner at the helm, than all of the latest
charts!

Bob Austin