Co-Op Charting point of contact is: Robert Shaefer and he can be emaied at robert.schaefer@prodigy.net

WHAT IS COOPERATIVE CHARTING?

Cooperative Charting is the name of the program of civic service conducted by the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) in close coordination with the Marine Chart Division, National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Program is administered cooperatively by the Marine Chart Division and the national USPS Cooperative Charting Committee.
The Program is a major public service of USPS. Under it, USPS members supply information to the Marine Chart Division leading to the production "of accurate and up- to-date nautical charts" and related publications. Cooperative Charting is recognized as the most effective user-participation program in all of the Federal services.

WHAT TYPES OF CIVIC SERVICE ARE PERFORMED?

The Program provides a variety of services in support of our nation's charting authority! We supply information leading to corrections to nautical charts, small craft charts and Coast Pilot publications. It has been estimated that each year USPS contributes an estimated value of service to the U.S. Government of $15 to $20 million of effort through our reporting program. In a time of continually decreasing NOAA budgets, this figure could increase as requests for our services grow and NOAA resources shrink.

HOW DOES USPS EFFORTS IN THIS PROGRAM BENEFIT THE PUBLIC?

USPS members act as field observers for NOAA. They are uniquely suited to this role because of the outstanding education and training they receive through the USPS educational program. As the number of official NOAA observers decrease through budget stringency's, USPS members report on many items that would otherwise go undetected and unreported. Many of these reports are of a critical nature requiring immediate distribution through the Coast Guard's broadcast and published “Local Notice to Mariners.”
Without these USPS observations, many hazards would go undetected until tragedy strikes through a nautical mishap. Thus, USPS members save lives and property, as well as furthering boating safety through these efforts to improve the quality of our nation’s charts. The Cooperative Charting Program is a highly successful, public service effort dedicated to the advancement of safety on the water for both the boating public and USPS members.

Headquarters FAQ on Cooperative Charting

Co-Op Charting Slide Presentation

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