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Next course starts: Jan 2020 Duration: 12 weeks (Tue, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm) Location: St. Matthias Church Hall (Richmond and Richardson) Pre-requisites: Advanced Piloting, Piloting or Seamanship Cost: $250. Register online or contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
Boat 6: Junior Navigator (Celestial Navigation) is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how-to course using GPS for offshore navigation with sun sight taking using a sextant as a backup technique. The more advanced techniques for other celestial bodies and sights are covered in the subsequent Navigation Course.
JN subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner's sextant to take sights of the sun; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac: how to reduce sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of GPS, special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning.
Note: The JN course covers only a few topics but at an in-depth, semi-professional level. The course is not easy and requires a significant time commitment. The recommended pre-requisite is Advanced Piloting, however, students with Piloting and/or Seamanship may also take the class.
Subject Areas:
Principles of Celestial Navigation: a complete overview of the principles of celestial navigation.
Marine Sextant: how to select one, care for it, and use it to take sights of the sun.
Sea Time: understanding time and how it is used to determine a celestial line of position.
Altitude Corrections: determining and applying corrections required for various celestial bodies.
Celestial Coordinates: defining terrestrial coordinates and celestial coordinates and computing local hour angles (LHA) for the sun.
Celestial LOP: understanding intercept, azimuth and the navigational triangle.
Meridian Transit of the Sun: mean and apparent sun, determining time of transit, taking the noon sight, computing latitude from the sight.
Route Planning: pilot charts, chart projections, charts for offshore voyages, route planning.
Wind and Current: wind and current offshore, determining CMG and SMG and allowing for current and leeway.
