[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From New Orleans ,
There is a fairly new " Aid To Navigation " on the scene now and it still remains to be seen how well it will be received by the " Old Dogs " of the river ! This new device is what is referred to as a PPU ( Personal Pilot Unit ) . Essentially it is the combination of four already used devices such as a lap top computer , AIS ( Automated Identification System ) and GPS ( Global Positioning System ) and an electronic chart program . These four items have been incorporated and integrated into one portable unit so as to enable the Pilot to bring this with him to the different vessels that he may go on to service . This PPU unit allows the Pilot to both see the profile of the river and the local traffic and to identify the vessels that are coming his way . By simply clicking on a target a box will appear with the all the necessary information on the chosen vessel such as his name , his speed and his course and the type of vessel such as either a tug boat or a ship . Another feature this PPU provides is the Pilots vessels course and speed through the water and assists him in times of poor visibility . One other feature this unit provides is where I and this vessel in question will meet and or over take one another , especially if it appears that we may meet in a tight turn or bend in the river . What I do like about this system is that it will give me the name of the vessel in question when for one reason or another he is not talking on the radio and I need to speak with him .
I remember to this day when Capt. Howard Tate raised a concern when a radar was installed in the Pilot House of the Str. Delta Queen and saying , " Well , H_ _ l Ted , now they will expect us to run in the fog " , and he was right !
Now we all know it is impossible to turn back the hands on the clock and to stop progress but at what cost ?? These new units are all fine and amazing but what happens when they fail to work and the Pilot is forced to rely on his ability and skill or rather his lack of ability and skill due to the fact that he no longer possess the hard earned skill and intestinal fortitude to perform his duties ? One other issue comes to mind as well is the possibility that remote piloting may some day take place when some one in an office hundreds of miles away is remotely piloting these same vessels with simply a computer and a joy stick ! Imagine that on a highly congested and restricted channel such as the Mississippi River .
One other concern for me is the fact that how many old and experienced Pilots that are not " computer savy " will be forced to retire or simply not use these units and then in the event of an accident be held accountable and legally libel for not using ALL his Aids To Navigation including now the PPU . Furthermore , if the PPU unit is not working properly will the Pilot now be expected to NOT move his vessel and ultimately cost the vessel's owners thousands of dollars because ALL his aids are not working properly ??
Go Figure !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson