Overview A primary key to safe boating is situational awareness: understanding local conditions, precisely where you are, and how underwater topography affects your passage. This course helps you become comfortable with charts and chart plotters, so you can navigate confidently and safely.
What you will learn
- Confidently read and understand nautical charts and operate your chart plotter while sailing or boating
- Understand latitude and longitude: how to determine your fix, your position at a given date and time, and plan your route
- Depth soundings and underwater topography
- Land characteristics and coastline features
- Compass usage and interpreting the compass rose
- Currents, tides, and their effects on navigation
- Selecting the correct chart for your trip
- Measuring distance and plotting a course
- Plotting points on a chart (from point A to point B)
- Navigator responsibilities and job descriptions
- Begin applying skills by acting as the navigator for practice scenarios
Chart plotter and navigation tools
- How to use the chart plotter effectively
- GPS: major manufacturers and typical interfaces
- Modes and settings to optimize navigation
- AIS: how to receive, interpret, and utilize AIS information
Supporting apps and resources
- Navionics, PredictWind, Windy: using additional apps to supplement navigation planning and weather understanding
Course outcomes
- You will be able to plan and execute safer passages with a clear understanding of charts, plotter, and navigational tools
- You will begin to demonstrate basic navigator duties and confidence in making informed decisions on the water
