The research is more than warranted. Alaskan waterways are highways to ship in goods and ship out commodities. Alaskans rely on barge lines for their every day necessities. Seafood, timber and oil all are transported by water. Fishing vessels and the state ferries ply area waters year-round.
Cruise ships carry thousands of passengers annually thorough the Inside Passage.
More ships are coming every year. Some tourism related tour boats are even exploring the less traveled routes. Mapping Alaska's more than 30,000 miles of coastline can be a daunting task, but the work is worth it. Mariners rely on nautical charts to show them where they are and where they are going. They use them to avoid rocks and to maneuver through tight passages.