MAREP
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MAREP is a contraction of Marine Reporting.  It is a cooperative program with the federal government's Canadian Hydrographic Service to keep marine charts up to date. Boaters are encouraged to report anomalies not indicated on charts.

Nautical Charts Protect Lives, Property and the Marine Environment.  DO NOT use MAREP to report a buoy off station or missing or a light not operating.  Report these immediately to the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Office

WHAT TO REPORT 

SUBMERGED OBJECTS.   Report uncharted rocks, submerged obstructions, unmarked or shifted shoals, wrecks, underwater cables and pipelines. Report even the simple fact that you know or think there has been a change. 

OBSTRUCTIONS.   Report pilings, weirs, overhead cables, piers, new or misrepresented bridges. Include a sketch if you cannot explain it properly. When reporting the non­existence of an obstruction, state when and by whom it was removed, if known.

CHANNELS.   Report new channels and changes to existing channels by local interests. Include controlling depths, widths and location of channel markers. (This information usually obtainable from party who contracted for dredging of new channel.)

LANDMARKS (Objects sufficiently prominent to be of help to the navigator).  Report tall distinctive smokestacks, towers, spires and tanks. Also you may report an isolated building on a hill or promontory, a distinct clump of woods or outcropping of rock, an isolated strip of sandy beach or other easily distinguishable feature. Less prominent landmarks may be reported around small unbuoyed or poorly buoyed harbours and anchorages. Include sketches if possible. It is equally important to report charted landmarks that no longer exist. 

MARINE FACILITIES.  Report new boatyards and marinas not on current large scale charts as well as discontinued boatyards that are on the charts. Report any glaring discrepancies in listed facilities at a location. 

PRIVATE AIDS.  Report unlisted daybeacons and privately maintained markers or lights if not shown on charts.

HOW TO REPORT

Download and print the MAREP form.  Record the required details and forward it to the Squadron Marep Officer for furtherance to the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

Click to download the preferred form:   marep.pdf  or  marep.rtf

.WHEN REPORTING DEPTHS.   Use the most accurate means available to you (lead line, setting pole, depth sounder). Always include the exact time and date of the sounding so that it can be corrected for lake stage, tide level, effect of current, etc. Do not try to correct it yourself. When using a depth sounder, be sure to make the proper allowance for the distance between the transducer and the water line. State on the report that you have done this. Report the fact that object may be visible at low water but submerged at high water.

WHEN LOCATING AND REPORTING POSITIONS.  Accuracy in reporting positions is vital. Use the best method available to you. If you need help locating a position, seek help from a Squadron Officer. When plotting positions based on bearings, state clearly whether they are True or Magnetic, allowing for deviation if Magnetic, or deviation and variation if True.

PLOTTING POSITIONS.   Plot your information on the largest scale chart of the area. Where possible cut out the pertinent section of the chart to letter size (81/2” x 11”) or fold it accordingly. Include the chart number and the edition and correction dates. Plot your changes clearly and accurately. Show all bearing lines and plotting information. Place explanatory notes or sketches in unused areas of the chart. If you supply a section of the current edition of the chart, you will receive a free replacement chart from the Canadian Hydrographic Service. 

ERRORS IN SAILING DIRECTIONS.   Report errors and inconsistencies in current editions of Sailing Directions. Vital corrections will be published in Notices to Mariners. 

Always use the latest edition of a chart and keep your charts up-to-date from monthly Notices to Mariners. This will be a key factor in ensuring the success of MAREP and your safety.

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