The Canadian Hydrographic Service Presents at the 2015 Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show

While participating in the 2015 Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show last February, the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) took the opportunity to meet with recreational boaters.

During the show, CHS hydrographers reminded recreational boaters of the importance of updating their nautical charts, offering a complimentary subscription to the NOTMAR website published by the Canadian Coast Guard. They also raised participants' awareness about the importance of consulting information on water levels.

Visitors were also able to view CHS nautical charts, displayed on two tablets equipped with navigation software, and a link showing how to update the charts. Recreational boaters were pleased to learn that they could use their tablet in addition to the paper charts.

Several visitors asked questions about the legality of navigation products found on the market. The answer is that only the official charts published by the CHS meet the requirements of the Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations. With a few exceptions, the use and updating of these charts are mandatory for all vessels, including pleasure crafts.

For the CHS, the 2015 Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show, which hosted nearly 22,000 visitors from across Quebec, provided an exceptional venue for informing the public and hearing its comments.

Useful links

NOTMAR
Tides, Currents and Water Levels

Robert Dorais
Science