Prerequisites
There is no prerequisite for Coastal Navigation Certification. We highly recommend taking Navigation and Piloting class prior to Coastal Navigation. US Sailing and Navigation is very challenging.
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.
Practical Skills
Successful Completion Prepares You To:
- 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.
- 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 and Cruising Guide.
- 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.
- 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.