Philippine Navy's charts are accurate

All of Philippine Navy's charts are accurate and updated and provide reliable navigation data to navigators, Philippine Navy assured.

Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, PN acting spokesperson, made this assurance in light of US 7th Fleet's claim that a faulty digital map (provided by PN) was one of the reasons its minesweeper ran aground off the marine sanctuary last Jan. 17.

"All of our navigation charts are updated and accurate so there is no danger in any of our ships running aground," Fabic assured.

He said PN's operation office checks the charts out before issuing them out to ship's navigators.

The US Navy is claiming that an error in their digital chart caused the USS Guardian to be off by eight nautical miles (almost 24 kilometers) from her course and causing her to ran aground in Tubbataha Reef.

He added that the PN is using charts in conjunction with modern radar, depth sounding equipment and global positioning systems as this is still reliable and more easier to use. p>Fabic also denied that the vessel was doing a surveillance mission as most of its topside gear was secured and not operating during the time of the collision.

"All her topside equipment was unmanned during the time of the mishap. In fact, all of it were stored," Fabic stressed.

He also declined to comment on how the accident involving one of the US Navy's sophisticated mine-hunting ships, adding that the US Navy is now conducting its investigation on the matter.

Fabic added that the PN was well aware that the USS Guardian was in the country's territorial waters as it was given clearance by the government to make a fueling stop in Subic Bay, Zambales last Jan. 13 and was headed for Puerto Princesa, Palawan for another port stop.