Depth and GPS location device for soundings to upgrade ENC charts

Authored by Glendon Brown
 January 30, 2022

Some years ago I recall a GLCC member, had a combination depth and GPS location measuring device to record and update the sounding on a chart.  Does anyone have some suggestions for a portable combined meter which can be easily uploaded to a computer file?

Several years ago after significant harbor dredging, I worked with the Harbormaster to document the location and depths using a GPS, handheld depth meter and a pad of paper, with three persons in the rowboat, to row, read and record the information.  

With the ENC change to metric units and continual shifting of the sand at the marina entrance, a simple depth and location meter would be very helpful to keep the charts updated.  

Thanks, Marilyn Kinsey, Port Captain, Escanaba, MI

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Hi Marilyn,

I use OpenCPN on a PC for logs on our Sailboat.  OpenCPN takes in all the NMEA data via a USB port, it is pretty easy to get GPS and Depth onto the NMEA0183 or NMEA 2000 and then into the USB port.

I run a plug in called Logbook Koni that records a lot of data including position and depth in a Text file, I have used it to profile a harbor area and set the recording time to log as low as once a minute.  If you can then extract only what you need you can basically ride around and record the data, then feed whatever chart program you want.

Ed Mahoney, Port Captain Rocky River, OH