Charting Question for Merchant Mariners

[avb3]

I have been told (which I find hard to believe) that there are a different set of standards for "charting that meets international merchant shipping standards".

My reaction was, "Huh?".

Charts are charts, and if a hazard exists for a merchant ship, I sure the hell want to know about it as a sailboat.

Any comments, especially from those that may have a 100 ton masters or greater, would be appreciated.

[goboatingnow]

There are many charts that are designed for leisure users that are not suitable for commercial users. Navionics is one as is the IMRAY printed charts in the uk.

All leave out Information that isn't relevant to leisure cruisers in small boats.

In addition IMO requirements require that charts used for navigation are from official sources only. Ie the hydrographic offices of publishing governments. Private charts , like IMRAY etc, are not allowed as the only source.
Dave

[Irish rambler]

The only bit I can add is all the charts sold now are to WGS (World Geodetic Standard). Just make sure you have the correct ones and they're up to date and you'll be grand.

[nigel1]

And, for commercial shipping, the charts have to be the latest edition available and kept corrected. You can get away with an out of date, uncorrected chart on your yacht, but not on a merchant ship. It can, and has led to ships being detained in port for failing to do so.