I Must Be Reading Chart this Wrong

[allanpeda]

So I am looking for a pump out for my Catalina 30. Either they are in a bay behind a bridge or annoyingly far away. After starting with the NYC DEP guide to pump outs, I am passed from Marina to Marina on the phone until i reach a spot in Staten Island, Atlantis Marina.

The chart *seems* to show 3 feet *between* the buoys of the harbor. As expected the marina had no idea what I was talking about.



What's with that? Google satellite imagery clearly shows sailboats in the harbor. And yes, I know the numbers are for mean low, but still, between the buoys?

activecaptain shows this at 40 31.772N 74 08.382W
40.5293, -74.1402 (Three Feet Depth) - Google Maps

[Hydra]

I am not familiar with US nautical charts. Are depths in fathoms, feet or meters?

Alain

[MarkJ]

Does look a bit wierd.

Here's mine in Meters.

If in doubt stay inside the markers and go nice and slow.

**Remember I have no local knowledge!

[forsailbyowner]

you just never know. the channel down folly river had markers on either side of a sandbar that was exposed at low tide. markers were moved eventually but it was comical how many groundings there were

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

exposed at low tide.

I've been in the Caribbean too long! LOL Whatever you think is the minimum shown put tide over it

[h20man]

looking at the latest and greatest chart from NOAA appears to show a small channel with 8' clearance that you have to be careful about navigating...... I would suggest calling the marina and getting some local knowledge.....

BTW, on the NOAA chart online viewer they have some different info, looks like your chart is a bit old....

Best

[allanpeda]

Here's a proper link, and yes, soundings are in feet.


Thanks for the link to the NOAA Chart. ActiveCaptain isn't quite up o date perhaps.

[h20man]

Originally Posted by allanpeda

Here's a proper link, and yes, soundings are in feet.

On the NOAA chart it DOES NOT SHOW a 3' channel at that place....
(or I must be reading it wrong...) It shows 8'. It could have been a typo on the old data...
what gives? I would have thought that the NOAA info was more up to date and should be relied upon MORE then another source....

then again... NOAA is part of the government......

BTW, if I am reading it wrong on the NOAA chart please help me understand what I am doing wrong..... as ... this could be a serious problem...

thanks

[allanpeda]

Originally Posted by h20man

looking at the latest and greatest chart from NOAA appears to show a small channel with 8' clearance that you have to be careful about navigating...... I would suggest calling the marina and getting some local knowledge.....

BTW, on the NOAA chart online viewer they have some different info, looks like your chart is a bit old....

Best

I did call, they had no idea what I was talking about. Thanks for the fresh link. It seems activecaptain is not so up to date.

[h20man]

Originally Posted by allanpeda

Here's a proper link, and yes, soundings are in feet.

Thanks for the link to the NOAA Chart. ActiveCaptain isn't quite up o date perhaps.

Ah... sorry, you must have edited your post as I was replying to your original post...

but can you confirm that you would trust the latest NOAA over other chart providers?

thanks

[h20man]

BTW, in the NOAA supplement, note D they claim there are numerous uncharted pilings in the harbor.... so... must be stressful.....

Good luck

[allanpeda]

Originally Posted by h20man

BTW, in the NOAA supplement, note D they claim there are numerous uncharted pilings in the harbor.... so... must be stressful.....

Good luck

That's all of NY harbor. Pilings, old cables, high voltage power lines from the Ravenswood generators. Smog so thick the other I could not see the top of the towers of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Fun times.

[allanpeda]

Originally Posted by h20man

Ah... sorry, you must have edited your post as I was replying to your original post...

but can you confirm that you would trust the latest NOAA over other chart providers?

thanks

The Activecaptain page shows the NOAA logo. If I trusted the chart I would not be posting here or calling the marina -- or using my depth sounder.

Edit: AHA! This is a 1984 chart. Mystery solved.

[h20man]

Originally Posted by allanpeda

The Activecaptain page shows the NOAA logo. If I trusted the chart I would not be posting here or calling the marina -- or using my depth sounder.

Edit: AHA! This is a 1984 chart. Mystery solved.

ActiveCaptain uses charts from 1984?

what gives?

[Kettlewell]

It has been noted other places that NOAA has introduced some errors when they have digitized their charts. I suspect this is the case at that location. On the other hand, that channel has been known for shoaling so it could just be an old chart you were looking at. Often there is a SeaTow boat or TowBoatUS around that you can call and they will let you know what the latest information is, or you might be able to raise someone inside on the VHF. It is interesting how often pumpouts are either out of service or unavailable for some reason.