Cooperative Charting

FIELD ACTIVITIES

Observing and reporting differences between charted information and that which is currently observable.

Observing and reporting the characteristics of marinas, boat yards, and other marine facilities that service small nautical craft.

Examining those sections of the Coast Pilot covering your area and determine where changes should be made to reflect current reality.

Similar to Depth Survery except measurements are position readings taken along tracks identified by Range Markers.

Measuring position, depth, at various positions in the areas of interest.

USPS members conduct tidal current measuements in NOS designated areas, using NOS supplied equipment under NOS supervision.

This involves cruising around your favorite areas and observing the buoys and other markers. Items to check are: proper functioning of light and sound characteristics, ledgibility of identifying marks and that the ATONs are in proper position.

A series of "Field Guide and Summary" sheets is available. These are intended to be printed back-to-back, laminated or put in page protectors and kept on your boat or other convenient place. When used on line, they contain live links to reference data and report forms.
NAUTICAL CHARTS
SMALL CRAFT FACILITIES
U. S. COAST PILOTS and RANGE LINE SURVEYS
ADOPT A CHART

Nearest Light - A program to find a USCG light list number quickly.

Nearest Light is a Windows application that finds the lights nearest to your present position, using the monthly Light List updates published by the United States Coast Guard. The full Light List is published in printed and PDF formats but the lights are listed in reference number order and follow the channels. This is not the ideal format for Cooperative Charting, where we are usually working from a GPS.

Nearest Light takes care of that problem by utilizing the Light List that is now published in XML form, and searching that list for all the lights in your current area, using a GPS receiver connected to your computer (or a manual position), sorting that list, and showing you all the lights nearest to your position while out on the water. The light list provides additional detail which is not noted on a chart. Discrepancies can be more accurately noted in real time and, when the chart does not match a light list entry that is a discrepancy that can be reported as a CCWEB nautical chart item.

When preparing for a CoCh survey, Nearest Light can be used to find all the lights in the likely survey area and then to print the resulting table for inclusion with the survey worksheets. This lets everyone have the relevant portion of the Light List on hand for reference while surveying, improving the accuracy of CoCh reports to CCWEB and the USCG.

Manual:
http://usps.oceaneye.com/downloads/Nearest Light Manual v2.pdf

Application:
http://usps.oceaneye.com/downloads/nearestlight2/publish.htm

This easy to use program was developed by Clint O’Connor, SN, Austin Power Squadron, District 21.
Thank you, Clint!