Rich is not a mariner in the traditional sense. He doesn't captain a boat or spend a lot of time on the water. But Rich is very familiar with navigational charts, researching and studying bodies of water for his work as an independent researcher.
What are you working on now?
I’m following the events and issues in the South and East China Seas such as China’s naval expansion, illegal fishing, and piracy.
What aspects are you researching?
I record the positions of certain vessels and document what islands are claimed by whom. Then I overlay data such as radar ranges, flight radius of various aircraft, and missile ranges.
Are there limitations to what you can achieve?
Yes. Although the computer mapping software that I use works well, its capabilities and scope are limited.
What have you found that helps?
OceanGrafix charts! They provide the big picture AND the details I need for my work. The distances represented on charts are easier to “see” which makes it easier to understand the fishing and shipping issues in this region.
How do you use the charts?
I laminate the charts and use an old-fashioned grease pencil to make notes on them. I hang them on the walls of my office—creating a mural of sorts—so they are always close at hand.
I can’t stress enough how important these charts are to understanding the military, political, and environmental aspects of the maritime domain. I reference them daily to find locations, determine sailing times, and much more.
