Why Up-To-Date Nautical Charts Are Crucial
Having up-to-date marine charts in Australia is crucial for safe and accurate navigation. Oceanic charts are constantly being updated, so it’s important to order marine charts that are current, with the latest features, additions and alterations included. This level of precision is necessary to navigate the often treacherous waters surrounding Australia’s coastlines.
Let’s take a look at why precise navigational charts are an absolute necessity.
Avoiding Hazards
The coastal waters around Australia are strewn with natural and man-made obstacles that can pose a danger to your vessel. Whether shipwrecks, rocks, reefs, sandbanks or shifting shoals, these obstacles catch you by surprise if you’re unprepared or navigating with outdated charts.
Having high-precision sea maps to pinpoint these hazards gives you the opportunity to make real-time adjustments to your route, where even minor details can make the difference between a smooth journey and potential damage to your vessel.
Accurate charts also help you deal with strong tidal movements, narrow passages or shifting shallow waters, as hazards hidden beneath the surface can become more dangerous depending on the given tidal levels.
Adapting To Change
The marine environment is in a constant state of flux because the ocean floor is a dynamic landscape. Coastal topography, channels, sandbars and more can shift dramatically during heavy storms, from sediment deposits or as a result of erosion.
Because the seabed can change overnight, up-to-date maps are crucial so that you’re aware of these sudden and critical shifts. When you have an accurate and up-to-date sea map, you can adapt your course to reflect the changes in underwater features, helping you to avoid unexpected encounters with new formations.
Safe Anchorage and Route Planning
An up-to-date map will help you choose a secure spot to anchor, providing you with the necessary information on depth, tidal patterns and nearby obstacles. This makes an up-to-date sea map a highly valuable asset, providing detailed contour information and helping you locate sheltered anchorages with the right depth and good holding grounds to ensure safety.
Route planning also requires this level of precision, particularly if you must account for expected weather, fuel supply and long distances. Minor miscalculations due to outdated maps can cause significant setbacks and put your vessel at risk.
Updated charts also help you navigate restricted areas and marine reserves safely, avoiding hefty fines, environmental damage or vessel damage.
Looking for up-to-date marine charts in Australia? Boat Books has what you’re looking for. Contact us now to order both paper and digital charts online.
