Navigation: Klaus Schlösser on the change in nautical charts - "Unstoppable trend"

BOOTE: Klaus, can you imagine that motor yachts will only navigate with electronic nautical charts?

Klaus Schlösser: I am sure that we will not be able to stop this trend. Personally, however, I would always like to have paper charts on board. As an instructor, I would always recommend it.

What are the advantages?

With digital nautical charts, we run the risk of not grasping the big picture, but also important details. I'm not denying digitalisation, on the contrary, I'm also involved in app development. But in terms of clarity and handling, I think it's very important to have a paper nautical chart. Or an appropriately sized tablet. But these are not currently available on the market.

The future of the nautical chart: Only plotters instead of paper?

What trends do you see in electronic nautical charts?

The manufacturers of chart plotters are trying to incorporate more and more features into their products in order to be marketable. The nautical chart, i.e. what I really need, is only a small part of what the devices can do. It's easy to lose track of the essential functions. Especially when you charter and switch from one manufacturer to the next. It is especially important to recognise whether the chart is up to date or how I can quickly check whether it is set to WGS 84, for example.

With digital nautical charts, we run the risk of missing the big picture as well as important details."

When you set off, what do you use to plan and navigate yourself? With paper and a plotter? Many people plan a trip with a printed nautical chart, but tend to use an electronic one when they're underway.

This is quite a common variant. What I personally don't like is a media break. So if I use paper charts from one manufacturer and electronic charts from another, I don't have the same chart image. I use paper charts for planning and lay out the appropriate ones for my stage. I like to use them to get a quick overview. I also use the chart plotter to follow the route.

Under what conditions do you think electronic nautical charts could be sufficient on recreational craft?

It would be important that our training in Germany also teaches us how to deal with the pitfalls of digital nautical charts. Keyword: incorrect zoom levels or not being able to see at a glance that other important data is hidden behind a piece of information. I think it's dangerous to say that anyone can learn by doing. There are plenty of situations in which you can quickly overlook certain things on the plotter. And then the question is: am I trained enough to deal with it? It's similar with radar. There are many great devices, including for recreational boating. But basically, many people are not trained in its use. So is it even a reliable tool that I can rely on?

How could the problem be solved?

From the manufacturer's point of view, it would be desirable for there to be an accompanying process in which everyone sits down together and develops common standards for digital recreational craft charts and devices.