Lake Ontario Sailors take notice

[higgs]

I have been doing everything I can to get the word out about the Olcott Harbor renovation. The NOAA chart update is dangerously inaccurate and Navionics is still using old data, which can also be dangerous. If approaching the harbor do not rely on a chart plotter to guide you in as it will put you on the newly constructed detached stone breakwall running east/west across the harbor entrance. In good visibility one will have no problems, but in poor visibility one could have some serious problems if using Navionics or NOAA charts. To see what the harbor actually looks like go to www.olcottyachtclub.com. The NOAA chart shows the position of the detached wall lights, but does not show the actual wall. Worse yet, the NOAA chart shows the harbor channel running in between the two lights which is where the breakwall is situated. The Navionics chart shows the channel running straight through where the new breakwall is now situated. I have contacted NOAA (no response)and Navionics (who did respond). Additionally I have contacted every yacht club on the Lake and several cruising guides. Just trying to get the word out where ever I can. Thank you Phil for helping upload the NOAA chart.
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[DArcy]

Good on you for reaching out to sailors to warn about a dangerous situation.

The Navionics Web App shows the breakwater but Navionics on my Android phone does not. What's worse is there is a photo in the Navionics app that shows an aerial shot of the entrance without the breakwater - must have been taken before the breakwater was added.

 

[higgs]

Thanks DArcy. The updated Navionics is a big improvement and I give them credit for making an update so quickly. I contacted them about a week ago. the breakwall was completed in November of 2021.

 

[Phil Herring]

@higgs: the image is now in your original post.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Navionics on iOS looks correct in the chart. @DArcy you might just need to update the charts in your Android app.

 

[dlochner]

Lately I have been using AquaMaps on my iPad and M1 MacBook. The charts are updated frequently and in the US include the latest Army Corps of Engineering soundings. The break wall is on their charts. The moral of this story is make certain your charts are frequently updated.

 

[higgs]

Lately I have been using AquaMaps on my iPad and M1 MacBook. The charts are updated frequently and in the US include the latest Army Corps of Engineering soundings. The break wall is on their charts. The moral of this story is make certain your charts are frequently updated.View attachment 204351

That is not Olcott Harbor. It is Oak Orchard located 25 miles to the east.

 

[higgs]

Navionics on iOS looks correct in the chart. @DArcy you might just need to update the charts in your Android app.

My last update was March 29 and no correction had been made.

 

[ggrizzard]

Considering the original channel has been in use for years, is there any reason they don't put warning lights on the top of the new breakwater?
Inquiring minds...

 

[higgs]

Considering the original channel has been in use for years, is there any reason they don't put warning lights on the top of the new breakwater?
Inquiring minds...

There are lights at each end of the new breakwall, but NOAA charts show the channel going in between the lights without showing the breakwall. That area is completely filled with tons of rock and is impassable.

 

[ggrizzard]

Remind me not to go there in a storm!
Thanks for the info.

 

[higgs]

Remind me not to go there in a storm!
Thanks for the info.

Our summer weather is perfect. we never get storms and visibility is always unlimited.

 

[higgs]

Navionics for Android now has updated info on Olcott Harbor.