Nautical chart navigation

Anticipation and preparation are essential for navigating optimally and safely. This 14-hour course, based on the offshore powerboat licence extension program, covers the following topics:

• in-depth reading of charts
• positioning (geographic coordinates, bearings, relative bearings, alignments, soundings, etc.)
• plotting a course and dead reckoning while accounting for current, wind leeway, magnetic variation, and compass deviation
• calculating a compass heading for a multi-hour crossing
• tide calculations (rule of twelfths, tidal curves) and currents
• knowledge of onboard electronic and safety equipment
• interpreting meteorological situations
• routeing charts and pilot charts…

Required equipment:

• a 0.7 mm HB mechanical pencil
• an eraser
• a non-programmable calculator
• note-taking supplies
• a plotter (Breton, Portland, Topo, or possibly a Cras ruler)
• a SHOM 9999 chart
• a pair of dividers.