Second most dangerous thing onboard

[Hydraulicjump]

I have noticed that tug owners, with a couple of exceptions, are technophiles by nature. Most of you will enjoy, and some of you will hate, Jeff Siegel's Active Captain post, declaring paper charts the second most dangerous thing on a boat. And here all along I thought it was booze...

https://activecaptain.com/newsletters/2013-10-23.php

I looked over my charts a few weeks ago. They are hopelessly out of date for the reasons Jeff enumerates. But I have up to date electronic charts on three different devices, and multiple chart plotting software on two of these.

Oh, the most dangerous thing is a schedule. Couldn't agree more, with scars to prove it.

Jeff

 

[Crewdog]

Good point on current charts.

As for schedules, in flying a big cause of accidents continues to be "Get-home-itis".

One of the things I love about boats is that waiting out weather at a marina is so much more fun than waiting around an airport.

Bill

 

[bluestreak]

While the modern electronics are great devices, they like all electronics can fail and usually at the worse possible moment (when you rely on them the most- Murphy's Law).
Paper charts do need to be updated with the Local Notice to Mariners.
You should be able to plot your position on a chart as a back up to your electronic navigation equipment.
I learned that many years ago and still practice it.

 

[kevinflanagan]

I enjoyed the article Jeff wrote about 2nd most dangerous thing on a boat.

Also agree, would much rather waiting it out at a marina than an airport!!!!!

 

[Bruce Moore]

Jeff addresses almost all failure cases very rationally. A very interesting and provocative position (no pun intended) he's thrown out. Glad he did, as it will make our crew even more aware of what tools we choose, and how we use them.

 

[ActiveCaptain]

I've just got to say that I love TugNuts people. What an oasis of reasonable thinking...

I also have to say, we've been looking to the TomCat as our next boat. But just last week Karen and I were comparing and contrasting the differences between the R27 and R29. The added room would fit us better over the cat. These are such great choices available but so hard to decide! We're still a couple of years away - a long jaunt to the Caribbean in our DeFever.

 

[JamesTXSD]

While the modern electronics are great devices, they like all electronics can fail and usually at the worse possible moment (when you rely on them the most- Murphy's Law).
Paper charts do need to be updated with the Local Notice to Mariners.
You should be able to plot your position on a chart as a back up to your electronic navigation equipment.
I learned that many years ago and still practice it.

We made the decision two years ago to no longer buy paper charts. I agree that electronics can fail; thus the reason for back up for the back up. Plus, we carry a DVD with every US and Canadian charts that can be put into the laptop... charts, just like the paper ones, but electronic. But, with 5 devices onboard, independent of each other, that can tell you where you are on the chart, we are confident in that decision.

Years ago, we went from ded reckoning to Loran C. No chartplotter, but it could give us a lat/lon that could pinpoint where on that chart we were. "Moving map" displays came out, but they were a bit pricey. The first couple GPS units I bought were more like the "you are here" spot that you could pinpoint on a chart. Then, real chartplotters that were affordable. Over the years, they (the chartplotters) have gotten better and better, even though the charting data didn't. The chart information is still the lagging link.

The FAA has allowed iPads for charts in the cockpits of some operators. Anyone who has had to keep up with updating Jepps charts knows how tedious that is. Instead: click - update. The most up-to-date (and safest) alternative.

If you know how to plot on a paper chart, you have the same skills necessary to plot on an electronic chart (not necessarily connected to a GPS). The differences are: easier to update, MUCH more convenient to store. Old skills are not a bad thing, but learning new skills can be an improvement.

Jim B.

On edit: up to date cruising guides are still important on our boat.