BATH — The Alliance for Safe Navigation located on the internet at bit.ly/navcharts conducted a survey to help boaters update navigational tools during spring commissioning.

Having accurate navigational tools onboard and updating charts is critical to boating safety.

The survey found that more than 25% of respondents experienced a grounding in a five year period with damages running as much as $10,000.

Most electronic navigation systems offer easy and inexpensive updates.

The Coast Guard issues the Local Notice to Mariners containing chart changes due to obstructions, shifting shoals and changes in navigational aids. Yet the survey showed most boaters tend not to update electronic charts or track Local Notice to Mariners changes, and some respondents did not even know about Local Notice to Mariners.

To find Local Notice to Mariners for your location visit the US Coast Guard Navigation Center at www.navcen.uscg.gov.

Wawenock Sail and Power Squadron Education Officer John McMullen invites new and seasoned recreational boaters to enrich and refresh their navigational knowledge by signing up for one or more of the Power Squadron winter/ spring courses offered through the mid-coast local adult education offices. For more details contact John at [email protected] or 207- 433-7848.