Canadian rules for carrying charts

[Herky]

We are taking our R27 “Blue Heron” from Anacortes up to Desolation Sound in a few weeks. I have recently discovered that it is required by the Canadian Goverment to carry charts approved by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Are the digital charts on my updated Garmin 7612 and Blue Water app on Ipad sufficient to be legal? From what I am finding it looks like I need to purchase a lot of paper charts!

 

[Bruce Moore]

Not sure about the regulations. We carry electronic and print charts sufficient for us to navigate. Having been in B.C. waters several times, it has never been an issue.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[GGF]

Do you have a reference for this requirement? It has never come up during any of the inspections that we have had over recent years. And it is not mentioned in the posted regulations. Not to say it is a bad practice.

See: http://www.charts.gc.ca/help-aide/faq-eng.asp

Based on the above it would appear that up to date electronic charts are sufficient and that back up paper ones would not be required.

George
Victoria BC

 

[Herky]

Please correct me if I am in error but it appears that Raster Navigational Charts,which are just photos of a chart and pixelate when enlarged, are not legal without printed charts as a backup. Electronic Navigational Charts which are used by our modern chartplotters,are legal and stand on their own without printed backup. I will be using my Garmin, an Ipad,a phone and numerous books with detailed maps. Glad that I don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on bulky official maps that would see little use.

 

[GGF]

Yes, I would interpret the regulations the same way. For a complete review of the Canadian boating requirements you can have a look at the downloadable PDF - Safe Boating Guide. Here's the link:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/de ... u-1362.htm

If you are inspected during your voyage, they will have the charts starting on page 16 in their hands while they check you out.

George

 

[Joan and Jim]

Whether legally required to or not, I always have paper charts open as back ups. Rather than purchasing a lot of individual charts, you may wish to consider Chart # 3312 - Jervis Inlet and Desolation Sound. It is in book form and contains 29 pages of charts which if bought individually would cost several hundred dollars. It also contains considerable general information. Its price is $88 Cdn. There is also one in similar format for the Gulf and San Juan Islands at the same price. The pages are set out sequentially so you need only to flip the page as you get to the next one.

 

[Herky]

Thanks! I ordered #3312 and Sunshine Coast #3311...Peace of mind is worth it!