Let me try it this way: If a professional navigator is continually plotting dozens of possible courses spanning several thousand miles, while keeping track of all his competitors and their possible courses, and plotting weather, current, etc…

Wouldn't you expect them to also once and a while zoom around a bit, or consult the notices, or look at google earth (this can be cached and used off-line, and I would be surprised if they didn't have it or something similar), or do any of a myriad of other things available with their electronic navigation capabilities?

Heck, they could have even called the other boats and asked why they all were taking looping routes that appeared to leave something pointy off to their starboard instead of just going straight. Or even just wonder among themselves about that. Do you really think that they saw this and thought "hey, all those guys just made a navigation error and gave us a giant opening to cut them off and catch up"?

I understand that you believe strongly in using paper charts. I realize that you don't understand that others navigate just as well and safely with electronic means.

But I don't think you understand my point that this has nothing at all to do with charts or charting - paper or electronic. This was just a big boo-boo. One of those head-slapping ones that haunt you forever.

I don't think for a minute anyone on that boat really believes the problem was about zoom level or lack of resources due to a last minute course change. I think they all realize they had everything they needed - equipment, data and situational awareness - but that they just messed up big time.

A paper chart would not have saved them here. BTW, is it known that they didn't have any paper charts?

Mark