How can this be ? How widespread is this problem ? Yoiks ! So, not only the Navionics Sonar Charts were wrong, but also the 'standard' Navionics charts. The official government chart, above, shows a minimum depth on that reef of less than 1 meter. In the time since the accident both we and others have had time to look at the Navionics charts for the area in some detail, and the results are not good. So now, over three weeks later, we're hauled out of the water at Journey's End Marina in Rockland, Maine, working towards repairing and refinishing the keel. We lifted the floor boards and inspected the bilges for damage or leaks, and then (more than a little shaken) proceeded to Booth Bay, where I dived on the boat and captured the image above. Not wanting to start the engine in unknown waters, we lowered the dinghy and towed her away to deep water using the outboard motor. In fact very wrong.Ĭrystal Blues was at that point bobbing on the gentle swell, afloat, but occasionally colliding with the reef on the bottom of the swells and occasionally hitting something as she rocked from side to side. It's ironic that I was actually looking at the charts (on the iPad) as we connected with the reef - when Ley stumbled up the companionway and I picked myself up off the wheel, we both looked at the chart on the iPad - it showed over 13 meters of water depth. Dodging lobster pots, early in the morning, I was busy at the helm and trusted the charts that had brought us into harbor the afternoon before. So with more care I could have avoided the reef. Secondly, I failed to check any secondary navigation aids or references. So how did it happen ?įirst off, I made the mistake of trusting Navionics Sonar Charts, which I'm unlikely to do again. The story that follows is intended to serve as a warning for others, to help prevent further accidents. However a boat built less heavily would have been in severe trouble. The mast and rig stayed up, the hull was not breached and the damage could be repaired fairly simply. Our first computer assisted grounding!įact is, we were lucky. Leaving the anchorage we collided with a submerged reef, bringing the mighty Crystal Blues to an instant stop from around 5 knots. Early on August 9 we departed Potts Harbour, heading for Booth Bay, Maine.

Navionics update chart