Problems associated with the use of coordinate-converter-equipped radionavigation receivers are examined. The problem arises because most US civil charts are printed using North American Datum 22 (1927), whereas coordinate converters are based on the World Geodetic System (1972). The variations between these two common descriptions of the shape of the Earth range from zero to nearly 200 m in US waters, and they will become more apparent with the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS). It is suggested that from the mariner's viewpoint the only practical solution to this problem is to convert all nautical charts to one system.
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