Electronic Navigation - READ THE DISCLAIMER

The complete distruction of the 100' sailing vessel "Pricewaterhouse Coopers" in Australia during the early stages of the Flinders Islet race on October 10 2009, serves as a reminder of how critical accurate navigation is. This accident, which also cost two lives, was the result of a culmination of a few factors. However, an internal inquiry has revealed that the largest factor was an over reliance on electronic navigation and not confirming data with traditional methods or other electronic tools.
This over reliance is becoming rampant, with most users having no understanding of the limitations of these tools. I was asked to teach a course on GPS a few years ago. My class plan included a section on traditional methods of plotting on a paper chart. Most students were confused as to why we would even want a paper chart in this hi tech world. "A GPS hooked to a chart plotter will do the trick, just show me the buttons I need to press!!!!"
On the night that Pricewaterhouse Coopers ran aground the satelite signal for the GPS was only accurate to within 100m and the chart of the area was accurate to 50m. Thats 500' of error while trying to make a passage close to land. Comparing the chartplotter information to depthsounder or radar image may have prevented the accident.
While cruising in the North Channel a couple of years ago a fellow cruiser asked if he could follow me through the next passage from Killarney to Little Current. I said sure, but why? He responded "I can't figure out if my chartplotter is giving depths in feet or meters". This cruiser was sailing a new Gozzard 44 worth half a million dollars and baulked at my suggestion to purchase a strip chart for the area for $10 at the chandlery. Ticked off with my comments, he found some one else to follow.
Cruising boats are being sold with 17" chartplotters mounted at eye level in front of the wheel - now we are sailing video games. OOOPS, what happened to the power . . . . .  where did I put those paper charts anyway?
Electronic instruments are a great addition to our navigation tool box, but, next time you turn on your GPS or chartplotter, take the time to read the disclaimer before pressing "enter". They could be the most important words you read on that day.