Electronic Charts

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by jtulls

My intention was to stay away from focusing on the errors leading to the grounding but to focus on the maps. I was hoping to start a discussion on quality of the electronic charts.

The problem with that precept is the VW accident had nothing whatever to do with the quality of electronic charts. You will be hard pressed to find an accident where that is a proximate cause or even a significant contributing factor. If you can find such an accident then that might make a better starting point.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

NOAA charts? Do you know where the subject location of this debate occured?

Originally Posted by jtulls

I was wondering what your experience is with electronic charts. What software do you use and have you run into lack of detail?

Originally Posted by jtulls

My intention was to stay away from focusing on the errors leading to the grounding but to focus on the maps. I was hoping to start a discussion on quality of the electronic charts.

OP is in SoCal, and his question seems more focused on viability of electronic charts, not the incident.

-Chris

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

The problem with that precept is the VW accident had nothing whatever to do with the quality of electronic charts. You will be hard pressed to find an accident where that is a proximate cause or even a significant contributing factor. If you can find such an accident then that might make a better starting point.

Actually, "deficient cartography" is listed as one of the 2 Contributing Factors in the cause of the grounding, according to the report:

123. Contributing factors

were deficient use of electronic charts and other navigational data and a failure to identify the potential danger, and

Deficient cartography in presenting the navigational dangers on small and medium scale (or zoomed out) views on the electronic chart system in use.

[transmitterdan]

Yes, I read that in the report. That is the opinion of the investigators. I also think there was no evidence presented in the report that convinced me it is correct. I have great respect for the 3 investigators and do not want my disagreement to indicate otherwise. But no evidence was presented that a better chart would have helped. They had better charts on board and never bothered to look at them. They were running at night with no radar, no depth finder and the crew never looked at a chart plotter all night. Who does that?

I also note that Jeppesen did not cooperate in the investigation and wonder if perhaps they had a different view on that point. Or perhaps the issue was raised in the report in part because Jeppesen did not cooperate.

And while we are talking about that report what's this nonsense about a VOR boat can't have a functioning depth sounder? My wife has a jet ski that goes 50 knots and the depth finder works perfectly at all speeds. If they can't put a functioning depth finder on a canting keel then the VOR needs some new engineers, again in my opinion.