The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency will accept public comments as it works to update the book “The American Practical Navigator,†by mathematician and mariner Nathaniel Bowditch.Sailors use the book known as “Bowditch” as a resource for marine navigation, NGA said Monday.
The agency plans to release the book’s 10th edition by 2017.
NGA regularly reviews and updates Bowditch to reflect changes and corrections to marine navigation-related information, such as electronic navigation, navigational mathematics, safety measures, maritime fundamentals, long range navigation data and procedures for digital nautical charting operations.
“For the past two centuries, Bowditch has provided each new generation of sailors the theory and science behind the art of modern marine navigation,†said Gerard Clifford, an officer at NGA’s maritime safety office.
NGA will accept feedback until June 30, 2016.
