The Alliance for Safe Navigation recently conducted a survey to study recreational boaters' use of navigational aids and to study the awareness and usage of available updates to those aids. The survey took place in June and July of 2010 and had 7,570 total respondents.
The survey suggests that while most boaters use aids such as GPS, electronic charts and paper charts, most fail to track the updates that are necessary to maintain the accuracy of their navigational aids. These updates, called Local Notice to Mariners, contain critical information about changes such as shifting shoals, moving buoys and newly submerged obstructions.
Below are key observations obtained from the survey.
1. Only 36% of respondents stated that they “are concerned about the accuracy of the data used for navigation” enough so they “update navigational data regularly.”
2. Keeping navigational aids up-to-date, whether the aids are electronic or paper, is not a big priority to most recreational mariners.
3. Awareness of and purchase of available update data is low, as is the awareness of and use of LNMs.
To learn more about the results of this survey, call 651-726-5606.
“Too many boaters think that the chart or chart chip they got when they purchased the boat is good forever,” said Joe Frohnhoefer III, Chief Operating Officer, Sea Tow.
“They don’t realize that buoys
get moved or renumbered, shoals
shift and new navigational hazards
are continuously appearing.
Safe navigation begins with
accurate charts…”
- Navigation White Paper
Boat Smart, Update your Charts
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