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Learn the art of
Coastal Navigation. This 9 hour course, (3) three-hour classes, includes dead reckoning
techniques, chart reading, position determination, set and drift, distance off, and much
more. This course takes what you have learned and practiced in Navigation & Piloting
and subsequent sails and pushes your navigation knowledge set in preparation for Coastal
Passagemaking course.
The Coastal Navigation graduate will have demonstrated the art of traditional navigation
techniques and the ability to integrate electronic navigation tools into the navigation
plan, encompassing nighttime navigation, fog, radar, and advance decision making. |
Coastal Navigation
Requirements & Standards 
Equipment:
Coastal Navigation courses and examinations are required to be conducted in a classroom
environment, and with adequate equipment inventory and publications to complete all
required certification outcomes.
Prerequisite:
Navigation & Piloting and Bareboat Cruising.
Certification Requirements:
Coastal Navigation Certification requires the successful completion of the following
knowledge and skills, as demonstrated by passing a written examination. These requirements
are expected to be performed with confidence and a high degree of accuracy.
Introduction to Methodology:
Understand relative bearings and how to convert them for plotting.
Demonstrate the use of the true and magnetic compass roses and the correct application of
variation and deviation.
Demonstrate how to integrate electronic information with traditional navigation
techniques.
Demonstrate your ability to use a hand-bearing compass.
Publications:
Demonstrate your ability to select appropriate charts from the chart catalog.
Demonstrate your ability to update charts using the Local Notice to Mariners.
Demonstrate your ability to use Chart #1.
Demonstrate your ability to use a Coast Pilot.
Demonstrate your ability to use a Light List.
Determine the height of tide at any time or location.
Determine the direction and strength of the current at any time or location.
Chart work:
Measure distance on a chart with and without a bar scale.
Determine the Latitude and Longitude of a position.
Plot and label, neatly and accurately, the following items: a Dead Reckoning (DR) course;
a course corrected for leeway; an after motion triangle to determine a course to steer
given the set and drift of a known current; a before motion triangle to determine a course
to steer given the set and drift of a known current; a running fix; a fix; a danger
bearing; ranges.
Knowledge
Introduction to Methodology:
Understand buoyage systems and Aids to Navigation.
Calculate the geographical and luminous range of a light for a given height of eye and
visibility.
Describe the operation of electronic navigation instruments: knotmeters, knotlogs,
fathometers, wind speed and direction finders, Loran, GPS, radar, VHF radio, weatherfax,
and personal computers.
Understand the importance of using a navigation (or deck) log when navigating formally.
Understand the principles of safe inshore pilotage, such as: safe course, clearing (or
danger) bearings, back bearings, ranges (or transits), and use of the fathometer.
Understand how to interpret and integrate weather information into your navigation.
Describe the importance of such navigational strategies as: upwind or up current arrival;
anticipating leeway; the favored tack; working the middle; reaching, not running; and the
dawn arrival.
Be familiar with the safety precautions to be taken before entering fog and describe the
following fog tactics: buoy hopping, deliberate offset, visibility circles.
Publications:
Be familiar with the sources of appropriate navigation publications.
Navigation Equipment:
Understand the care and use of plotting tools.
Understand the operation of Loran and GPS. |
