[600MRG] NAVTEX

[Frank Lotito]

ref:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/navtex.htm

My question - What is the practical value of NAVTEX to the maritime community in this day and age?  If I were a US or Canadian mariner, be it pleasure boat or commercial, and I was traversing the large inland water ways (e.g. Great Lakes) or coastal water ways, I would favor using weather and marine hazard broadcasts applicable to my immediate geographic area with high reliability, and available and up-to-date on a "24/7 basis."

What am I missing?

73 Frank Lotito  K3DZ / WH2XHA