Dock News

Alliance For Safe Navigation Announces Latest Survey For
Recreational Boaters

 Survey Intended to Measure Boaters’ Awareness of Updates to Navigational Tools

The Alliance for Safe Navigation, whose mission is to raise boater awareness about the importance of accurate navigational information, has announced its annual survey for recreational boaters. The survey’s purpose is to
gauge boaters’ awareness of available updates to navigational tools and their concerns related to accuracy. This year’s survey also will gather data concerning groundings and whether they were related to a lack of accurate navigational tools.

While most boaters use aids such as GPS, electronic charts and paper charts, the 2010 survey of 7,570 boaters revealed that most respondents do not routinely purchase current charts that reflect weekly updates issued by the United States Coast Guard. These updates, called the Local Notice to Mariners, contain critical information about changes such as shifting shoals, moved buoys and newly submerged obstructions; boaters can easily access these updates.

“Changes happen every single day, and one seemingly small change can be very important when it comes to boater safety,” explains Ken Cirillo, business development executive for Jeppesen, a founding member of the alliance. “By using charts that are current, whether those charts are paper or electronic, boaters improve their odds of avoiding accidents and groundings.”

“Significant and frequent changes on—and under—the water happen, and boaters need to remain aware of these changes to ensure their safety,” says David Enabnit, technical director at NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. “The Alliance for Safe Navigation strongly suggests that updated navigational tools are the best approach to safe navigation.”

To see the latest USCG Notice to Mariners for your location, visit Notice to Mariners. For more information or to find out how many changes have been made to your charts, go to www.allianceforsafenavigation.org.

About the Alliance for Safe Navigation
The Alliance for Safe Navigation (www.allianceforsafenavigation.org) consists of industry leaders that all share a commitment to boating safety. The goal of the alliance is to raise the boating community’s understanding of and
appreciation for up-to-date navigational information. The alliance encourages mariners to recognize the high number of changes made to their charts and to keep their electronic and paper charts accurate. Sponsored by NOAA, the alliance is made up of BoatU.S., Jeppesen, OceanGrafix, the Sea Tow Foundation for Boating Safety and Education, and the United States Power Squadrons.