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At my site, I was trained in the precise art of chart correcting. The people at Bluewater Books & Charts took time out of their busy schedules to teach me everything I needed to know to help them correct charts. I learned how to use Digitrace, a computer database that lists the corrections needed on every chart for the last seven years or so. Every day I used Digitrace to make lists of all the corrections needed on customers’ charts. This gave the customer a nice overview of our services. After I made the lists of necessary corrections, I went to the back and pulled the tracings of the corrections so that I could see what needed to be done to the chart. Then I got to work.

At Bluewater, I learned how to properly correct charts. I had to use a purple pen to very carefully insert new buoys, delete old soundings, draw in underwater pipelines, and perform any number of changes on that particular chart. Not many people know how to properly correct charts, so having this knowledge is very rare and can be very useful. Chart correctors are often in great need and can very easily find a job at any nautical supply store. Because of my site, I learned an important job skill that can provide a position for me in the future.

Being around nautical charts all day also taught me a thing or two about using them. Just by hanging out at Bluewater for two hours a day, I learned a great deal about navigation. So that I would have a full understanding of how to plot a course, my mentor, Melanie, took me aside and showed me the basics. I learned how to calculate my waypoints and find my direction by using the parallel rules. Using dividers, I learned how to measure the distance from one spot to another. I also learned how to find the speed and time of my journey using some simple equations. Knowing how to plot a course is something that I have wanted to do ever since I entered the magnet program. Now that I can do that, I can plan my own journeys when I’m a boat-owner.

Even though I was working at a navigationally-minded store, I didn’t just learn about paper charts. I also learned about responsibility. Because I knew that I would be going to work, every day I got up and made sure that I was dressed appropriately. I always made sure that I made up time missed at my site and that I alerted my mentor of my absence ahead of time. I made sure to leave my cell phone on silent so that I did not disturb my coworkers. I also learned about customer service and how to talk to the consumer. All these new skills that I have acquired will help me to keep a job someday. Not only will I keep that job, I will do very well at it.

I have learned that the marine industry is very diverse and multi-faceted. Working in the marine field does not necessarily entail living on a boat or saving dolphins every day. The marine industry can simply involve helping those people to get their jobs done. I have learned that not all things are so cut and dry. The marine field is fun and most of the people involved in it are warm and welcoming and eager to help.