~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ Kenneth Nash ~

Finding the best mapping software is a tough question to answer. It all depends on the brand of your unit, and the type of mapping it either comes with or that can be purchased as an accessory item. Generally there are two types of mapping software. One is based on NOAA Marine Charts and the other on USGS Topographical type maps.

NOAA Marine charts are the best in the world for showing established marine channels and the Navigation Aids (NAVAIDS) that are along the channels, etc. However Marine Charts usually do not depict the adjacent land masses like a USGS topographical map will. However all topos maps may not have the NAVAIDS as the marine charts do.

So first you have to decide which type of mapping best suite your needs, then you have to investigate if the unit you have can accommodate that type of mapping. If you are fishing OFFSHORE, then the Marine Chart type of mapping is the only one available. USGS charts do not cover distances past three to four miles, so they are useless for offshore navigation.

I count a total of SEVEN rigs in Leased Block 53 of the Breton Sound Leased area. Most are small Christmas tree platforms, however one of the largest is Platform 53A, according to the U.S. BUREAU of OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT (BOEM )web site
(http://www.data.boem.gov/homepg/pubinfo/repcat/platform/pdf/3060.pd)
is at or about 29°25.5620’ N. latitude ~ 89° 08.1173’ W. longitude Using NAD 27 Datum.

It is about 6.12 miles from the mouth of the Main Pass of the Mississippi River at a bearing of 35° magnetic.

Most of the other platforms can be seen from the BS#53a site.

Unless otherwise specified, all positions are stated as Degrees, minutes and thousandths of minutes (DDD,MM.mmm) and were determined using WGS 84 Datum. All bearings and courses are stated in Magnetic degrees.

~ Captain Paul ~