NEW CANADIAN NAUTICAL CHART FOR THE BAY OF FUNDY

Dartmouth, NS -- The Canadian Hydrographic Service, a division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, announces the release of a new nautical chart for the Bay of Fundy coast in southern New Brunswick.

Chart 4115 is the latest new Canadian chart issued from the results of an extensive hydrographic survey program carried out in recent years. This chart covers the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay and the St. Croix River. Large-scale details of the harbours at St. Andrews, Bayside and Beaver Harbour are included. Release of this chart officially cancels two previous charts in circulation that were based on information collected by the British Admiralty as far back as 1844.

According to Bob Pietrzak of the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Chart 4115 is of special significance as it completes the large-scale presentation of the Fundy shore in the much traveled waterway between Saint John and the Western Isles. The previous lack of large-scale coverage was affectionately called, in marine folklore, The Gap. The map is extremely valuable as, in recent years, this area has seen an explosion in marine activity related to aquaculture, whale watching, sea kayaking, tour boating and recreational yachting into Passamaquoddy Bay and the Saint John River.

In the interest of safe navigation, Chart 4115 is constructed on a horizontal grid known as NAD83. This refers to the placement of lines of latitude and longitude onto the chart. Mariners using the satellite based GPS (Global Positioning System) as a means of navigation can directly apply their position information onto this chart. Previously, the horizontal grid information was poorly defined.

This chart is now available from all authorized Canadian Hydrographic Service Chart dealers in the Atlantic provinces. Consult the Canadian Hydrographic Service website for chart dealer locations (www.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca) or call the Canadian Hydrographic Service at 902-426-2397.

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For More Information:

Bob Pietrzak
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, N.S.
(902) 426-2477
E-Mail: PietrzakR@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca