Page 829 miscellaneous 916 



The recommended Directions should be checked with particular care. They must not only be 

 scaled correctly, but they must follow the best routes. Survey parties are instructed to sound along 

 all courses which they recommend (see 356). Every course and distance scaled from a chart must be 

 checked. (See Directions.) 



It must be borne in mind that an error in a Pilot may have a very serious consequence. Coast 

 Pilots are frequently used in law courts, and their accuracy must be beyond question. In fact, the 

 first and most important requirement is accuracj'. 



The importance of accuracy is illustrated by the action of the Director of the Bureau of Marine 

 Inspection and Navigation in the case of the grounding of the S. S. Manhattan in January 1941. 

 In the list of findings of the Marine Investigation Board against the master is included, "He failed to 

 heed the information and advice noted in Section D, United States Atlantic Coast Pilot with reference 

 to making this approach." 



COAST. — In general, this term refers to a strip of land of indefinite width bordering outside 

 waters. 



C;OMPASS ERROR RANGES.— (See Ranges.) 



CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL.— Material marked "Confiflential" must be locked in the vault 

 when not in actual use (see also 125) . 



CONTINUITY.— Descriptions must be continuous. There must be no gaps. Gaps may be 

 avoided by a special explanation or a cross-reference. (See discussion of Cape Cod Canal in 

 9135B(4)). In a manuscript, each page must begin with a new paragraph. 



COURSES. — The words ''course" and "steer" must be used to mean "make good a course of." 

 The latter is an awkward phrase to use continually, and the "Important" note (9135A(6)) should 

 contain an explanation of this meaning so that the words "course" and "steer" can be used in the text 

 without risk of being misinterpreted. 



COURSES AND BEARINGS.— (See Bearings and courses.) 



COVPJR. — A proof of the cover should be required, and it should be checked. The title shown 

 on the spine of the book should be standard, that is, it should read from the bottom up. 



CROSS-REFERENCES.— (See Page references.) 



CRUISING. — Much of the information given in the Pilots should be obtained or checked from 

 a vessel. The field reviser must use his judgment to make the most effective use possible of the float- 

 ing equipment available. 



CURRENTS.— (See Tides and currents.) 



CUSTOMS. — Include in the appendix a list of addresses of customhouses. The text should 

 contain a certain amount of information on this subject, varying with different ports. A statement 

 should be made as to where the customs officer boards incoming vessels. 



CUSTOMS PORTS OF ENTRY.— Besides being listed in the appendix, this information should 

 also be given in place in the text (see Port information). 



DANGER CURVE. — Note the depth curve that may be considered the danger curve, if con- 

 ditions make this information of value. 



DANGER ZONES. — From time to time the United States War and Navy Departments desig- 

 nate certain areas as danger zones, and publish rules and regulations for the control of all shipping 

 within such areas. 



Where practicable, the limits of these zones are shown on Coast and Geodetic Survey charts. 

 The limits and regulations are usually given in a number of publications, such as the Hydrographic 

 Office and Coast Guard Notices to Mariners and the Hydrographic Office Weekly Bulletin. The 

 tijnes that these areas are in use and are dangerous to enter are published in the Notices to Mariners. 



In the Coast Pilots it is sufficient to give the general location, and refer to the specific chart for the 

 definite limits. That part of the regulations of importance to navigation should be quoted or explained 

 in the text, and reference should be given to the publications in which the times of use and other de- 

 tails are advertised. 



DANGERS, INSHORE. — Give extent and nature; least depths over them; whether visible; if 

 they break, at what stage of tide; how much, if any, is bare at the chart datum; marks or ranges for 

 clearing them by day or night. 



Describe any light effects on shoals or discolorations of the water that affect navigation. 



In regions where dangerous shoal areas or pinnacles are marked by kelp or other marine growth, 

 state the ordinary significance of such growths, at what stage of tide they show at the surface, and 

 when, if ever, they are towed under. 



