From the Trawlers & Trawlering List: Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:56:57 -0800 From: Mike Maurice <mikem@yachtsdelivered.com> Subject: T&T: Going Where No Sailor Has Gone Before To: TWL <trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com> Taking off for unfamiliar territory brings up the subject of collecting the resources needed. The basics have not changed much even in the last 50 years, but the tactics have. There is a lot more information available, but collecting it efficiently and at least cost is not simple. A list of suggestions. Avoid buying paper charts far in advance of use. Charts are constantly being updated, the more time that passes before the use of any one chart means that it will be that much more out of date. Update your URL lists, make sure that the addresses you are using are still valid. Identify URL's that lead to graphic pages and that have TEXT page versions, add the text ones to your list of URL's. The text versions load faster, save time when downloading, the difference can be as much as 100 to 1. If you carry a laptop, bring PDF copies of various publications like Coast Pilots, Sailing Directions that are available in electronic format, even if you carry paper versions. Buy an external USB drive and keep a backup of your critical materials on it. Carry a memory or USB stick that you can keep in your pocket and load materials from Internet Cafes. Keep a copy of your URL's on it. Research what is available in the way of Sailing Directions and charts for the area that you are going to. Sources include: British Admiralty. Garmin Blue Charts. CMAP. Bellingham Chart Printers. NOAA Buying electronic charts is not simple and you may have to buy additional unlock codes for areas that you have not paid for yet. Avoid buying them this year for a trip next year. There may be a completely new (something) or major improvement in the meantime. Get update lists of SSB frequencies and transmit times for WX Fax, HAM and Marine Band Nets. A few comments. British Admiralty charts are expensive $40 each. The Sailing Directions are somewhat better than the NIMA ones, but the NIMA ones are available in PDF and free. The BA chart catalogs are not as user friendly as the NIMA catalogs. Finding BA materials here in the US is problematic as there are only a few places that carry them. None of the sailing directions are nearly as detailed or including all the small marinas and harbors as like in the Coast Pilots from NOAA or the SD's from Canada. If you are using a Globalstar phone, go to their web site and lookup the latest coverage maps and cost of making calls from the area you are going to. For both Globalstar and Iridium check that you are not going to a country that disallows their use. Mike _____________________________________ Capt. Mike Maurice Beaverton Oregon(Near Portland)