An explanation of equipment and tools used when updating an ADMIRALTY Standard Nautical Chart

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to the essential tools for updating nautical charts. It advises using specific pens with violet or magenta ink for various charting tasks, including deletions and insertions, and the appropriate nib sizes for each. Highlighting the importance of a 7H pencil for precise positioning and a 2B pencil for general chart work, the video also covers the use of erasers, scalpels, glue, and rulers for accurate chart maintenance. It introduces specialized tools like compasses with pen attachments for drawing circles and hacksaw blades for cable symbols, emphasizing the necessity of following the NP 133A guidelines for recording updates to ensure charts remain accurate and up-to-date.

Takeaways

• ✒️ Use a light-fast, waterproof permanent pen for updating charts, with a 0.25 nib for deletions and 0.18 nib for insertions.
• 🟣 Ensure the pen uses violet or magenta ink, as red ink disappears under red lighting conditions.
• 📍 A 7H pencil is suitable for pinpointing positions, while a 2B pencil is for normal chart work.
• 🗂️ Use an eraser to remove pencil guidelines or insertions from paper charts.
• ✂️ A scalpel can be used to scratch out details if a mistake is made during chart updates.
• 📄 Good quality glue is essential for attaching blocks, notes, and tables onto charts for a neat and permanent fit.
• 📏 Rolling and stepping rules are useful for plotting chart updates from textual data, while beam compasses are more precise for positioning.
• 📐 Use a 12 or 18-inch plastic ruler with a 2B pencil for drawing straight guide lines and other line work on charts.
• 🔌 A hacksaw blade with 14 teeth per inch or 2.5 centimeters can be used to draw the symbol for a cable.
• 📏 A steel straightedge is a handy tool for finding positions on charts.
• 📐 A template with various hole sizes is necessary for drawing symbols like radio reporting points and small circular areas.
• 📘 The NP 133A publication is crucial for maintaining an up-to-date record of all chart updates, ensuring no NMS are missed.

Q & A

What type of pen is recommended for updating charts?

A light, fast, waterproof permanent pen is recommended for updating charts.

What nib sizes are suitable for different types of chart updates?

A 0.25 nib is suitable for deletions or updates such as inserting chart limits, while a 0.18 nib is suitable for insertions like light descriptions and some deletions.

Why should violet or magenta ink be used instead of blue, black, or red?

Violet or magenta ink should be used because red ink will disappear under the red lighting often used at night on board ships.

What pencil grades are appropriate for pinpointing a position and for normal chart work?

A 7H pencil is suitable for pinpointing a position, while a 2B pencil is used for normal chart work.

How can pencil guidelines or insertions be removed from a paper chart?

Pencil guidelines or insertions can be removed using an eraser or a scalpel to scratch out the details.

What is the purpose of using glue when updating charts?

Good quality glue is used to stick down blocks, notes, and tables onto charts, providing a neat and permanent fit.

What tools can be used to plot chart updates from textual NMS?

Rolling and stepping rules can be used to plot chart updates from textual NMS.

Why are Beau dividers preferred over other tools for accurate positioning?

Beau dividers are more sensitive and provide accurate positioning for chart updates.

What is the recommended ruler material and size for drawing straight guide lines?

A 12 or 18-inch plastic ruler is recommended for drawing straight guide lines with a 2B pencil.

How can a hacksaw blade be used in chart updating, and what specification should the blade have?

A hacksaw blade can be used to draw the symbol for a cable, and the blade should have 14 teeth to one inch or 2.5 centimeters.

What is the purpose of a publication like NP 133A in chart maintenance?

NP 133A is a paper chart maintenance record that lists every chart numerically and is used to record updates by their NM number against any affected chart.

Why is it important to keep an up-to-date record of all chart updates?

Keeping an up-to-date record of all updates is important to prevent losing track and missing the application of NMS.