Gary Jacek said "In 2008 when I returned from New Zealand, I wrote my [Canadian] MP about NZ providing freely downloadable marine charts. Now the USA is on board with this." Aren't you guys having an election soon - perhaps it's a good time to raise the issue again ? Pols tend to like an issue where no one gets disadvantaged and they can look far-sighted and wise... I think you should emphasise the cost-saving on SAR (Search & Rescue). Lots of Government monies get spent on programs to improve water-safety - it's a no-brainer to remove a hurdle to more boaties having better information on where they are and where the obstacles are and where the aids to navigation (light signals, etc) are. If people have bought a paper chart, they can keep it up-to-date by amending it with features from a current download. Stress the importance of having up-to-date info available, as many pols might not be aware that charts change frequently and that the costs of constantly replacing charts is a barrier to staying current. Note that both NZ & the USA still charge for printed charts - but only (as I understand) for the printing & distribution costs - the information on them is free. As making the charts available as downloadable files (from the internet) costs virtually nothing, the costs for this service can also be kept to nothing. Best Regards Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jan 17 2011 - 17:08:11 PST
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