Chart corrections from notices to mariners

What you do on the bridge

1. NM 4417: a dangerous wreck
2. NM 4418: a light changed
3. NM 4419 (T): a temporary buoy

The oral questions, and what a good answer covers

The key points are in our own words. In the course, these questions come once you have done the job.

1. Talk me through correcting a paper chart from a notice to mariners.Often asked

   A good answer covers:

   • Check the notice applies to the chart and the edition you hold, and that the earlier notices for it are done
   • Make the correction neatly at the exact position, using the standard chart symbols and abbreviations
   • Write the notice number and year in the chart's small corrections margin
   • Record it in the chart correction log, so anyone can see the folio is up to date

   Show me on the bridgeThe chart table, with three notices to apply this week.

2. How do you handle temporary and preliminary notices?Often asked

   A good answer covers:

   • Mark them in pencil, so they can be rubbed out later
   • Record them in the log as T or P notices
   • Keep a list of those in force, and check it against the published list
   • Rub them out when a later notice cancels them, or replace them when the permanent notice comes
3. How do you know the chart folio is up to date?

   A good answer covers:

   • SOLAS requires charts and publications adequate and up to date for the voyage
   • The chart correction log shows the last notice applied to each chart
   • Check it against the cumulative list for the editions and notices each chart should carry
   • Check for new editions and new charts in the weekly notices
   • Navigational warnings, NAVTEX and the radio cover what is too recent for a notice
4. A notice names three charts, and you hold two of them. What do you correct?

   A good answer covers:

   • Every chart you hold that the notice names
   • Each correction logged against its own chart
   • A chart you do not hold is not corrected, but check whether the passage needs it on board

How the lesson runs

The tutor's narration from the lesson, step by step. On the bridge, each control lights up as it is named.

1. Brief

   This week's notices to mariners are in. A chart that isn't corrected can put us on a wreck that was found last month, so we do them as soon as they arrive.

   There are three notices. For each, take out every chart we hold that it names, put the correction in the right place, in ink or pencil, and log it on that chart.

2. NM 4417: a dangerous wreck

   Start with 4417. It inserts a dangerous wreck, and it names two charts: SIM 100 and SIM 120. It's a permanent notice, so it goes in ink.

   Take out SIM 120, type the position from the notice, choose Ink and correct it. Then log 4417 stroke 26 on it. Do the same on SIM 100.

3. NM 4418: a light changed

   4418 changes the characteristic of the Lake Como outfall light, on SIM 120 only. If the chart still shows the old one, you'll misidentify that light at night. Permanent, so ink again, at the light's position, and log it.

4. NM 4419 (T): a temporary buoy

   4419 is a temporary notice: a survey buoy laid until further notice. Temporary and preliminary notices go in pencil, so they can come out again when the notice is cancelled. Log it with its T.