How much value in traditional navigation plotting skills?

[freighterman1]

@SeaScoundrel

Do you even know how to plot a position on a chart? You were honestly going to attempt to take license without even attempting to have an understanding of the most basic of navigation skills? You fully expected to cheat your way through license?? Have you taken any nav classes at all?

This is terrifying.

I wouldn’t worry.

I’ve hired people who got their license, and yet when forced to navigate strictly with traditional methods were incapable of it. I know, because I tested them on practical navigation on an actual vessel over several days. (The company is obsessed on the subject).

Since it is unlikely we came across the only examples of these poor navigators, it must be assumed that a percentage of USCG licensed “navigators” are similarly deficient. And yet there has been no marked upswings in the annual number of groundings that I can determine. The plotter is to navigation as steel-belted tires are to flats: the chance you will need to get your hands dirty are greatly reduced.

@SeaScoundrel

But the skills and theory/knowledge that you gain by learning chart plot aren’t. Without this, the ECDIS becomes dangerous as you might not understand what you are looking at or why you are seeing what your are seeing shown on the screen.

Your chart plot abilities and knowledge are the link between ECDIS screen and what your eyes are seeing out the window.

And of course, as with any electronics, you stand the risk (even small) of failure, and you better know how to go old school.

You’re preaching to the choir.

But I’m sure someone else will come up with a closely-reasoned dissenting opinion.