Power Squadron Update

[+PFF]

Looking around on the Web, I saw numerous references to Power Squadron field trips to recover benchmarks. However, the most recent ones were from October and November, 2006.

 

Benchmarks were a "step child" in a program known as "Cooperative Charting". The emphasis always has been on nautical markers and charts, and there is a special NOAA website with a reporting form similar to the NGS recovery form. (The site was redesigned in early 2007 but the site did not become operational until this month.)

 

When I went to the Cooperative Charting home page, I found the narrative below. I've added emphasis for the portion pertaining to benchmarks. Based on the text, the USPSQD may have returned to its original water-based mission. The implication is that they currently are not participating in benchmark reporting.

 

If that's true, fellow GEOCAC members, "we've got the conn." Keep up the good work, and let our Watch continue to be characterized by accurate and detailed reporting, with Peer Review and mutual assistance.

 

-Paul-

 

Update: The USPSQD benchmark program ended in March, 2007. Details to follow.

 

Cooperative Charting Program of the United States Power Squadrons is conducted in close coordination with the Marine Chart Division, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Program is a major public service of USPS. Under it, members supply information to the Marine Chart Division of NOS/NOAA leading to corrections to nautical charts, small craft charts, and Coast Pilot publications. They also supply data on depth surveys, range status, and formerly, geodetic marks and aeronautical charts. The Adopt-A-Chart subprogram provides for individual squadrons to assume responsibility to keep a chart or a portion of a chart in their local boating area up to date and get recognition on new editions for their work. We have been told that the Cooperative Charting Program is recognized as the most effective user-participation program in all of the Federal services.

 

Edited August 23, 2007 by PFF

[andylphoto]

Interesting. Thanks for the research, Paul. I'm trying to think if I've seen any 2007 reports, and it doesn't seem I've run across any yet. Quite a few from last year. That's not to say they aren't there, but I don't recall seeing any while perusing marks.

[+PFF]

Here's "The Rest of the Story", from the Cooperative Charting page on the Rocky Mount (NC) Power Squadron's website. Benchmarks are out. Chart correction is still in. And there is a new program with the MapTech organization which sounds a little like Waymarking. [Grin.]

 

-Paul-

 

The following message from P/C Dave Biddick (USPS CoCh National Committee Member) was forwarded to me by Stf/C Paul D. Long, SN.

 

Geodetics

 

As you may know, USPS® involvement in the geodetic program ends at the end of March. I have heard several reasons for dropping this program, but whatever the reason, the reality is that it is ending. Geodetic reports will be accepted for USPS® credit until 31 March although it would be wise to send your final report a day or two before 31 March so that it can be reviewed.

 

If you wish to continue to submit reports to NGS after 1 April you may do so. If you do, on the report page do not click on the USPS® radial dial. We have been informed that you can identify yourself as an Individual Contributor by clicking on the "INDIV" radial dial.

 

NOS Nautical Reports

 

The NOS-USPS® nautical report program remains intact and will continue for the next cooperative charting year. The current year (2006-07) ends 31 March so if you intend to submit any nautical reports please do so a couple of days before 31 March. Any nautical report not accepted before 31 March will be carried over to the next year so your member's efforts will not be lost. I believe that the requirements for your district to make the District Honor Roll have been slightly reduced, but I am not completely sure of what the change was so I better not give you incorrect information.

 

New Cooperative Charting Programs

Maptech "Boating Guide to America"

 

This new cooperative charting program is a creative writer's dream and may be a good substitute for the geodetic program for the inland boaters although the program is available to all boaters. You can combine your writing skills with your local boating knowledge and serve both the boating public and your community at the same time. Maptech's "Boaters Guide to America " is a guide to boating destinations whether it be NOAA charted water, USACE charted water, or any inland lake. USPS® members create and edit the guide and then the end users get on the net and view the results of your efforts. You begin by selecting the state the destination is located in and then identify the location both by name and approximate GPS coordinates. The location may be the name of a city or perhaps the name of a body of water such as Lake So-And-So. Then you make text entries for the location under the following headings:

 

Overview: A general description of the location perhaps including some of the location's history.

 

Activities: In general, if you boat to this location, what is there for you to do once you arrive? Identify boating and non-boating activities that take place at this location such as special festivals, tours both on and off the water, museums, fishing, etc.

 

Restaurants and Provisions: A listing of restaurants including the type of food, expense, and telephone number and other important places to the cruiser such as grocery stores, post office, banks, motels, campgrounds, fuel locations, boating supply stores.

 

Navigation and Anchorages: Describe the approach to the harbor (if appropriate), nav aids, dangers, anchorages, speed limits, marinas.

 

Public Ramps and Access: Identify the name and location of the boat ramps and launching facilities.

 

Important Contacts: Provide the telephone number of important contacts such as the Coast Guard, police, fire department, ambulance, NOAA Weather Service, hospitals, pet doctors.

 

Picture Gallery: If you wish you can insert pictures of the location that may be helpful to the user. Perhaps an aerial photo or Google satellite image would be helpful as well as photos of the approaches, marinas as viewed from the water.

 

There are a couple of neat features that you can insert into the text to make this guide more valuable to the user.

 

If you enter the lat/lon of a location using the correct format, a "Map It" icon will appear in the text. If the user clicks on the "Map It" icon, they will be taken to a map of the location on Maptech's web site. They can view both a topo map and nautical chart of the location.

 

Using the correct format, you can enter links to desired web sites. Perhaps you would want to link to a marina's, motel's, city's, or even your squadron's web site.

 

[holograph]

For what it's worth, here is the tally of USPSQD reports for the last few years.

 

Year  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec  Total
---- ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
2001  264   883  1433   718   724   992   757   688   890  1232   850   532  9963  
2002 1698   815  1491   673   560  1000   589  1011   568  1044  1565  1091  12105  
2003  418   737  1748  1168   988  1143  1081  1024  1039  1879  1776  1221  14222  
2004  693  1430  2987  1835  1586  1945  1243  2000  1519  2300  1753   643  19934  
2005 1188  1460  2176  1293   990   649  1504  1090  1159  1360  1447   617  14933  
2006 1265   944  1656   659   515   473   573   883  1181   919   639   315  10022  
2007  175   315   671	 0	 2	18	 0	 0	 0	 0	 0	 0  1181  

[+PFF]

Thanks, Jim. Very interesting. Discounting 2007 (partial year), that works out to a perfect bell curve.....

 

-Paul-

[holograph]

Well, that's only the most recent years. There is a long tail going back to 1898! (see SY0163).

 

Seriously, they've been reporting since the early 1980's, and have had several ups and downs. There were peaks in 1989, 1995, and 2004. Here is a more complete tally, but there were scattered reports back to the 60's and earlier.

 

They've been doing it far longer than we have, and I'm sure the NGS was happy to have their reports.

 

1982	  194  
1983	 3057  
1984	 5083  
1985	 5328  
1986	 3704  
1987	15429  
1988	15215  
1989	16329  
1990	14144  
1991	 9369  
1992	 1794  
1993	 1920  
1994	 9338  
1995	12078  
1996	10094  
1997	 9837  
1998	 9017  
1999	 9858  
2000	 3161  
2001	 9963  
2002	12105  
2003	14222  
2004	19934  
2005	14933  
2006	10022  
2007	 1181  

[Wintertime]

I'm glad to see the end of a program that rewarded people for filing reports whether those reports were accurate or not. I do hope that the USPSers who were conscientious about making careful observations will continue their interest in benchmark hunting and keep filing reports with the NGS.

 

Just a few days ago, one of my friends was able to find an old benchmark in Yosemite because someone (presumably the USPSer who filed the last report) had chopped a "U" in a fallen log to expose the benchmark under it. We were grateful for that level of dedication!

 

Patty

[+Klemmer]

Gotta love that 1898 USPS find! I guess their flux capacitor was well charged in their time machine.......

[i sure hope I don't typo one like that! ...or haven't already!]

 

Seriously, I also hope that those who enjoyed the hobby and reported properly will continue it. They could also join use here at GC / BM hunting!

Edited August 24, 2007 by Klemmer & TeddyBearMama