As rapidly as critical intersections, such as the many Problem Stretches listed on Cruisers’ Net, can change due to storms and flooding, you have to wonder how useful this program will be for navigation. Still, it will be fun to use in making your float plan.

Google’s creating a Street View-like program for boaters in South Florida by Adele Chapin in Miami.Curbed.com

Notice of membership solicitation for Hydrographic Services Review Panel, due May 25, 2018

Dear colleague,
Can you please share this announcement with your organization and any other suggestions for possible candidates for membership on NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel (Federal Advisory Committee).

This is a request and call for nominations on behalf of NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP). NOAA and Rear Admiral Shepard Smith, the Designated Federal Officer, and the Director, Office of Coast Survey, and NOAA seek 5 new (and /or renewing) members for a four year term that starts January 1, 2019, and runs through 2022.

If you have a very well qualified recommendation for an HSRP nomination for 2019, can you please share this information and encourage their nomination? NOAA is accepting nominations on a rolling basis at any time and no later than May 25, 2018. If selected, the term starts January 1, 2019. There are 2 public meetings each year as well as informational administrative meetings monthly.

The Federal Register Notice (FRN) with information and instructions about how to apply, including a list of short answer questions, is attached and at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/14/2018-02969/hydrographic-services-review-panel . The nominee should make sure to satisfy the 5 questions and to submit a complete application with a short bio of no more than 350 words.

The NOAA Administrator seeks and encourages individuals with expertise in marine navigation and technology, port administration, marine shipping or other intermodal transportation industries, cartography and geographic information systems, geodesy, physical oceanography, coastal resource management, including coastal preparedness and emergency response, and other related fields.

To apply for membership on the Panel, nominees are requested to submit the following five items and respond to five questions. The entire package should be a maximum length of eight pages or fewer. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer.
1) A cover letter that responds to the five questions listed below and serves as a statement of interest to serve on the panel. Please see “Short Response Questions” below.
2) Highlight the nominee’s specific area(s) of expertise relevant to the purpose of the Panel from the list in the Federal Register Notice.
3) A current resume.
4) A short biography of no more than 350 words.
5) The nominee’s full name, title, institutional affiliation, mailing address, email, phone, fax and contact information.

Short Response Questions:
1) List the area(s) of expertise, as listed above, which you would best represent on this Panel.
2) List the geographic region(s) of the country with which you primarily associate your expertise.
3) Describe your leadership or professional experiences which you believe will contribute to the effectiveness of this panel.
4) Describe your familiarity and experience with NOAA navigation data, products, and services.
5) Generally describe the breadth and scope of stakeholders, users, or other groups whose views and input you believe you can share with the panel.

The nominee will receive an acknowledgement response after submitting the package. I am happy to answer questions or chat with possible candidates on the process, timing, and requirements. The process can take 6 months or more from the closing date of May 25 and applicants can expect to hear back in Fall 2018.

Sincerely, Lynne

Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis
Program Manager, Hydrographic Services Review Panel, Federal Advisory Committee
Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, NOAA
Cell: 240-691-6106; Work 240-533-0064 Fax: 301-713-4019
Lynne.Mersfelder@noaa.gov
HSRP public meetings http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/meetings.htm
The Nation’s Chartmaker

2018-02969 final FRN HSRP call for nominations 2019

The Cruisers’ Net development team is pleased to announce the release of an updated version of our iOS App.

This release is a significant improvement and contains the following changes:

• Various new capabilities
• Reduced network usage when updating the database – as much as 80% reduction
• Performance and speed improvements
• Enhancements to match CruisersNet.net website features and recent improvements
• Upgraded to the latest iOS version, standards, and capabilities
• Various bug fixes

It is available now in the App Store. Click here to download:

As you experience this new version we are always interested in hearing from you regarding enhancements or improvement suggestions in addition to any bugs or problems you experience.

Our development team is now focused on a similar update for the Android App.