tadhana
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
- Messages
- 596
- Location
- USA EAST
- Vessel Name
- Tadhana
- Vessel Make
- Helmsman 38 Pilothouse
Many cruisers still do not understand the purpose of the "Magenta Line" on the ICW. Many boats have run aground in the ICW but the skipper has tried to claim innocence. "But, I was on the Magenta Line!"
The magenta line is not a chart plotter route! It was first drawn in 1913! Its purpose was merely to guide vessels along the rivers, sounds and channels which are interconnected. It was intended to be nothing more than a way post showing you when to turn into a certain river or sound. It was not a specific chartplotter route. (Chartplotters were not very accurate in 1913.) Several times I have commented that slavishly following the magenta line like a chartplotter route, will run you aground. Here is a recent article describing a grounding accident when a cruiser thought the magenta line could be used like a chartplotter route.
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawler-news/navigation-charts-icw-magenta-line
The magenta line is not a chart plotter route! It was first drawn in 1913! Its purpose was merely to guide vessels along the rivers, sounds and channels which are interconnected. It was intended to be nothing more than a way post showing you when to turn into a certain river or sound. It was not a specific chartplotter route. (Chartplotters were not very accurate in 1913.) Several times I have commented that slavishly following the magenta line like a chartplotter route, will run you aground. Here is a recent article describing a grounding accident when a cruiser thought the magenta line could be used like a chartplotter route.
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawler-news/navigation-charts-icw-magenta-line