USCG APPROVES OFFICIAL ELECTRONIC CHARTS

[YukonRon]

I just ran across this news item:

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=ElectronicChartsApproval

In a nutshell, it basically states that " the Coast Guard will allow mariners to use official electronic charts instead of paper charts, if they choose to do so."

I found this as I was researching what the requirements are (were?) for us as recreational boaters to carry paper charts. I know it is still a good idea for backup, but wondering what level of detail is needed to meet USCG requirements.
Now I'm wondering what meets their definition of "official electronic charts"? Do our Garmin chartplotters with BlueChart g2 Vision HD charts qualify?
Can someone enlighten me on this topic? Is this even an issue for us, or is it just for larger commercial vessels?

 

[dclagett]

Unless your state requires you to carry charts (paper or electronic) there is no federal requirement to carry charts in recreational boats. There is a federal requirement for recreational boats to carry a copy of navigation rules if you boat is over 39.4 feet in length. Google “federal requirements for recreational vessels” you will find a guide which identifies those requirements.

 

[knotflying]

I wouldn't worry about it. It is my understanding that per the regulations the size of our boats do not require paper charts. Canada is a different story.

 

[snydzy]

Yukonron,
Firstly, This guidance applies to U.S. vessels subject to U.S. chart, or map and publication carriage requirements, as codified in Titles 33 and 46 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), and provides a “voluntary alternative means to comply with those requirements.The policy identifies acceptable equivalencies to paper charts and publications as well as position fixing and plotting requirements under Coast Guard Regulations.” It does not apply to recreational boaters.
Secondly, for an ENC (Electronic Navigational Charts) or RNC (Raster Navigational Chart) to be a legally acceptable alternative to paper charts, an electronic chart has to be issued by a national hydrographic office. During the years it took the national hydrographic office to develop their standards through the IHO ( International Hydrographic Office), the private sector went ahead and digitized thousands of charts in both raster and vector format using a range of available and proprietary formats. Many meet current requirements, but without that official stamp of approval, they are not a legal substitute for paper charts. The recreational world does not have to comply with the “chart carriage “ requirements applied to commercial shipping and does not care about such things as “type approval”.

 

[YukonRon]

Thank you for the replies. Sounds like I don't need to worry about it.