LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The number of days we have
left is something we never know,
so please assist me with ideas in
reference to your boating trips.
Unfortunately, in Singapore we
are very well controlled by the
government when it comes to
boating. Singapore is one of the
busiest shipping ports in the world,
with several hundred vessels
traveling the waterways each day.
Plus, we have the security from
neighboring countries.
We are restricted to a maximum
of 14 people per boat, including
skipper and first mate. So the idea is
in my head at the moment and just
needs a push. Also, have you done
this with children? And if so, what
extra safety measures were used?
George Petty
Singapore
CHART PLOTTER
PHOTO OVERLAYS
I’d like to suggest a topic that I
think would be worthy of your
research and analysis.
I have an undergraduate degree in
photographic engineering. After
graduating, I went to work for the
CIA on imaging satellite programs.
Hence, my suggestion: I see the ads
for all the chart plotter companies
with flashy 3D technology, photos,
and other hyperbole to make boating
navigation a no-brainer. Right.
I’ve focused on the merged photo
stuff. When acquiring images for
intelligence extraction purposes, we
went to great pains to gather any
available physical data, referred to as
“ground truth,” that would help
explain what was happening when
the image was taken. This would
include ephemeris data about the
satellite, temperature, humidity,
recent rainfall, photogrammetric data,
and the like. Without this supporting
data, you really couldn’t explain what
was shown in the image if something
unusual was captured. You just can’t
take an image at face value and make
any valid judgments about its content.
The chart plotter ads also talk
about how photos and charts are
merged for lifelike images. I really
wonder how they do this. Several
thoughts come to mind: 1) I believe
that the chart (NOAA or other)
is the authoritative source for
navigation, even if it’s in error or out
of date. 2) Is the photo warped to the
chart, or vice versa? 3) Does anyone
have any information about the
photo? Was it a silver-halide image,
a digital scan, or something else?
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