Re: Cat wrecked in Exumas

Originally Posted by
Sully
Aside from base datum used to create the chart, you also have to know how to use electronic charts. Being aware of scale is the single most important thing to know.
The above picture of the chart shows nothing. It's the wrong scale.
The only thing that can be determined by the above chart is "stay the f away from all the cays."
People often zoom into a coastal chart and then use it as a harbor chart. It is operator error, not a problem with electronic charts in those cases. You can make the same mistake with paper charts, using a coastal chart to enter a harbor.
And if they followed that pink line? Wow!
It looks like a border.. demarking a country or marine zone.
Thank-you Sully!
What a good, and sensible point.
I often zoom in on the coastal charts to see more detail of harbours or other difficult places. I do because I can and it is easy. It had not occurred to me that this is silly.
Perhaps there needs to be an indication saying 'Do not zoom more than x%' or something. How else do you know when you are pushing it too far?
Hmmm. Food for thought.
Mike
Nothing works on an old boat, except the skipper.