Coastal navigation

The Coastal Navigation course teaches:

How to read a chart, Symbols and Abbreviations
How to plot a course
How to take bearings
How to plot a fix
How to read Tide and Current Tables">

Boating FAQ's written by Bruce Stott is now available on-line

71 tips to make your boating safer and more relaxed.

Some of the topics covered include:
Navigation - chart symbols and abbreviations and the common mistake many boaters make regarding currents

Regulations and Licensing - what Regulations apply to Pleasure and Non-Pleasure vessels

Chartering and Instructing - what do I need to charter a vessel and how to become an Instructor

Safety - mandatory equipment, float plan, pre-departure checklist

Anchoring - choosing an anchorage, scope, anchoring procedure

Required navigational equipment is a little different for large and small boats but all marine navigation is dependent upon knowing these five things:
- Direction
- Speed
- Time
- Distance and
- Depth
.
Since you need to know these five things, you require navigational gear that will give accurate information about all five of them regardless of the size of boat.

A compass is a necessity and we aren't discussing one of those freebies that come in breakfast cereal. You need a big and steady compass that can be easily read even in adverse weather conditions. A compass gives direction which is the first information that you need for navigation.

If you wear a digital watch (water proof and shock proof,) and one with a stop watch function, you can determine the next three pieces of required information for navigation. If you know any two of the next three factors (speed, time and distance) the third can be easily calculated using the Sixty D Street formula covered in the Home Study Coastal Navigation Course .

Essentially you can cover 4 of the 5 required pieces of navigational information with a compass, a digital watch and a knotmeter which will give you speed and distance travelled.

A simple depth finder can cover the 5th requirement but if you can, find and buy a good GPS/Chart Plotter/Depth Sounder unit. These units aren't all that inexpensive but when you consider the value of human life they aren't all that expensive either.

You should always carry paper charts covering your planned route. As anyone who operates a personal computers knows all too well, electronics can breakdown and it's always at the worst possible moment. A compass and a paper chart will still be there even if the entire electrical system on your powerboat fails.

When taking bearings from a moving vessel, it is important to take the bearings quickly so that there is little change in position. Bearings that are taken off to the side of the vessel will change more quickly than bearings that are ahead or astern. Therefore, take the bearings to either side of the vessel together to minimize the position error.

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Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate (Maritime) ROC(M)

Anyone operating a fixed or portable marine radio in a pleasure boat is required by law to have a Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime).

Note: Operating a VHF radio without an operator's certificate may result in a fine.

Follow the link for a free 8 lesson Introduction to VHF Radio Operations