Do any brats use marine charts?

I have scooted past marked points in the San Juans which had a shallow shelf extending a hundred feet or more out into otherwise navigable waters. Once or twice, I avoided running afoul of these hazards only by "reading" the surface of the water over the shelf. My bad. If I were a more aware mariner, I would have noted those areas ahead of time, whether via paper chart, or by using a charting program on my GPS/computer/tablet.

That visit by the RCMP does not seem out of line to me. I imagine they only do those stops for areas where other boaters have run aground in the past.
 
Local knowledge is required for small craft without updated government charts onboard. When checked they will ask you a few questions to make sure you know the area, and how often you have traveled in that area. No assistance from outdated charts or plotters. I have boated all over the coast and have never been asked yet. I think if all your safety gear is in order and your not doing anything wrong... be polite and your on your way?

Jim
 
DrewbirdII":20m9mrw3 said:
Local knowledge is required for small craft without updated government charts onboard. When checked they will ask you a few questions to make sure you know the area, and how often you have traveled in that area. No assistance from outdated charts or plotters. I have boated all over the coast and have never been asked yet. I think if all your safety gear is in order and your not doing anything wrong... be polite and your on your way?

Jim
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My experience mirrors Jim’s. 10 years of boating and fishing the southern coast of Vancouver Island and I’ve never even met a regulatory authority out there!
 
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