Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Electronic Chart Devices News

15 Feb 2008

Bill Would Require Ship Pilots to Carry Electronic Charts

A Congresswoman wants ship pilots to be required to carry their own electronic navigation charts to avoid collisions like the one that dumped 58,000 gallons of fuel into the San Francisco Bay, reports indicated. Federal investigators are looking at what role that played in the Cosco Busan crash on Nov. 7. The pilot told investigators he didn't immediately understand some symbols on the ship's charts prior to sideswiping the Bay Bridge. Legislation introduced Thursday by Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher, who sits on the Transportation Committee, would mandate Coast Guard regulations requiring pilots to carry their own electronic chart devices, called Portable Pilot Units. Source: AP

15 Feb 2008

Bill Requires Pilots to Use Laptops

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, The senior Northern Californian on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act. The legislation instructs the Coast Guard to issue regulations that require pilots to carry their own electronic chart devices, known as Portable Pilot Units, with them to provide an extra level of safety over the ship’s navigation systems. “The ecosystem of the Bay and how it affects the overall health of our communities is too important not to require the highest safety standards for navigating large container and tanker ships into San Francisco Bay, especially traffic transporting hazardous material,” said Rep. Ellen Tauscher.