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Coastal Navigation

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.


This class is run in our Kirkland classroom and runs for 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6.30-9.30pm. Weeks 1-4 are teaching classes and week 5 is the certification test.

PREREQUISITES

none

PRICING

  • Non-Members $595
  • Members $545

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COURSE CONTENT
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

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.
  • 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.

Knowledge

  •  Understand buoyage systems and Aids to Navigation (IALA Systems A & B).
  • Understand the organization of a Mercator chart, including: latitude and longitude, chart scales, chart symbols (Chart No.1), title block, warnings, how to determine distance and direction, and the relationship between time/speed/distance.
  • 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 depthsounder.
  • Understand how to interpret and integrate weather information into your navigation.
  • Describe the importance of such navigational strategies as: upwind or upcurrent arrival; anticipating leeway; the favored tack; laylines, 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, and visibility circles.
  • Understand variation and deviation.
  • Understand the meaning of the visual observations of water color.
  • Understand the care and use of plotting tools.
  • Understand the benefits and limitations of Radar, GPS, AIS, DSC and MMSI.

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MEMBER PRICING– book through your member app