Navigation

Your GPS does not appear to be functioning correctly, you need to plot your position quickly on the chart... How do you do it?  The simplest and quickest technique is dead reckoning.

You would like to get from A to B in a straight line - how do you calculate your course to steer to compensate for the tide and wind to allow you to do this?

Having trouble with your time zones?  One of the most problematic areas for students doing the navigation theory courses is the time zones.  The confusion comes because of the way it is written in nautical almanacs.

Why do you need to plan your passage

Passage planning is a legal requirement under the SOLAS V regulations (Safety of Life At Sea), but more importantly it ensures your, your crews and your boats safety and well being, for more information go to www. mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf

Prior to doing any trip, you will need to do some planning, so you will need to purchase the relevant charts, almanacs etc…..

You have calculated your dead reckoning position, but you are sailing in tidal waters, so how do you find out where you are now?

This video gives you a brief explanation of how tides are formed and the differences between a spring tide and a Neap tide.

Following on from our video on how Tides are formed this video focuses on tidal streams, the direction and rate of tide that will push your boat of course.

Latitude is measured North or South of the equator (00°). There are up to 90 degree North of the equator and up to 90 degrees South of the equator. Lines of latitude are known as parallels of latitude.