What if the DGPS datum is different from that used for maritime charts ?
DGPS is referenced to the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)
Datum. DGPS derived positions may be plotted directly onto charts
referred to WGS84 Datum. However at present no charts covering the
waters within the GLAs' areas of responsibility produced by the
Hydrographic Office of the United Kingdom are referred to WGS84.
Most DGPS receivers will have a facility to transform positions
from WGS84 Datum to the regional datum of the chart, but the
resulting accuracy will depend on the transformation parameters
contained within the software of the user's receiver. The GLAs
strongly advise mariners to keep the DGPS receiver referenced to
WGS84 Datum and to apply the position shift values denoted on the
relevant nautical chart before plotting a position. Position shifts
for those charts which do not include a "Satellite Derived
Positions" note are listed in the UK Hydrographic Office Notice to
Mariners 19/98. Reference should also be made to the relevant, most
up-to- date, Volume of the Admiralty List of Radio Signals.
