Seafood could become more expensive or more difficult to find due to spills, collisions or ships running aground. The price of goods carried on large ships can increase, along with everyone's insurance rates, as a result of costly accidents. Boaters and ship captains use these charts and publications to navigate safely. The combination of accurate ocean bottom surveys, new electronic chart systems, satellite technology and, in some areas, real-time tide and weather monitors, help keep our ports and coastal waterways safe, clean and efficient for all types of boaters. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts storm warnings, watches and other information important to sailors 24-hours a day.
Safe navigation is no accident.
Subscribe to the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices to mariners, and updated nautical charts weekly. Recreational boaters should take courses in chart use, seamanship and navigation. Contact the United States Power Squadrons and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to enroll. Participate in the volunteer Cooperative Charting Program through the Power Squadron. Whenever possible, smaller boats should avoid using deep-draft channels, which are the only place large ships can travel.