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Joel-
  GPS only on Chilean charts that used a local datum without taking into
> account the datum shift.>

 That's the bottom line. This was not a GPS error, this was a navigational 
DATUM error ("pilot error" as the FAA calls it) caused by using *any* means 
of determining position, and then incorrectly applying it to local charting. 
If they had used a sextant, they would have still run aground because they 
still would have been using the wrong charts (wrong chart datum) to go with 
their position.

 Apparently the GPS reliably did what it was supposed to do, as it was 
supposed to do. And the navigator did the unforgiveable, entering shoal 
waters after incorrectly charting his position.

 By the way..."USS" would be a US merchant steam ship, as I understand it. 
"USN" would be a US Naval vessel. A similar small mistake is all it takes to 
get the datum wrong, regardless of the method for obtaining position fixes.

Well, unless you're using rods and chains stretched from the beach. Then we 
can still miscount the chains.

   

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