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SECURITY LEVELS

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Weekend Navigator Course
6 Sessions, includes a textbook
Tuesdays
6pm-8pm
Saturdays
10am-2pm
Registration is $60.00
 Weekend Navigator is designed to provide both a basic and advanced navigation course that includes the use of GPS and charts, parallel rulers, dividers, and compass to ensure safety if your electronics go out. It provides students with the rudiments of navigation by using GPS along with the back-up skill of navigation using charts, plotting tools, and dead reckoning. The intent is to provide the student with a solid foundation with emphasis on technique without a blind reliance on electronics. Topics Included in this Course:  

What is navigation? – Three steps of navigation and piloting without electronics.

Fundamental of waypoint navigation – Practice using a sample cruise exercise, GPS, avoiding hazards, and using landmarks.

The tools of navigation – Use of nautical charts including scales, chart symbology, ATONs, plotting tools, GPS, compass, and other electronics.

Planning with GPS and paper charts – Planning and paper charts, chart plotting, and entering waypoints into your GPS *

Planning with digital charts – Using digital charts, cruise planning software, chart planning software, working with digital charts, chart plotters, and PDA’s.

Planning to avoid danger – Defining the area, marking obstacles, and marking landmarks.

Underway with GPS and paper charts – Steps in waypoint navigation, staying on course, navigating a route with GPS, navigating in a region, marking objects, and keeping track.

Underway with digital charts –Using a chart plotter underway, PDA’s and pocket PC’s, and the future of onboard computers

Double-checking with instruments –Making quick observations and more accurate bearings

Eye of the mariner –Use of headings, ranges, bearings, collision bearings, and rules of the road.

Planning as you go with GPS – Finding where you are and how to plot a safe path to a new destination

Tides, winds, and currents –Knowledge of tides and tidal currents, adjusting for tides and tidal currents, and winds, waves, and other unpredictable events.

Navigating with radar – Range settings for recreational boaters, the radar display, collision avoidance, and navigating with radar

Using depth in navigation – Using depth sounders versus sonars and fish finders, and navigating with depth sounders

Using the radio in navigation –How to use a radio in an emergency, use of the weather radio, and fixed versus handheld VHF

Using an electronic compass – Types of electronic compasses and using the electronic compass for navigation

Using an autopilot in navigation – How to navigate with an autopilot

Navigating harbors and channels with electronics – Importance of good visibility and operating under limited visibility

Navigating under adverse conditions –Operating under limited visibility and influence of the wind and seas

A last word in avoiding danger – Importance and use of electronic alarms and visual observations

Other instrumentation in navigation – Use of weather instruments

Connecting it all together –Basic electronic interconnection and high speed connection