Copyright 2008 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. The Weekend Navigator Part II Copyright 2008 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

Chapter 16: Using Depth in Navigation

Depth Sounders versus Sonars and Fishfinders Depth sounder consists of a processing and display unit and transducer Depth of water is measured by the round-trip time of the echoes and displayed in feet

Depth Sounders versus Sonars and Fishfinders Fishfinders are a variation of the depth sounder Return all echoes on screen in graphic form Sonar is capable of steering the beam like radar Sonar range is usually limited to hundreds of feet

Navigating with a Depth Sounder Using depth with a GPS and charts Quick way to cross check your electronics Helps with changing depths in shoal areas Using depth without GPS Using depth with radar

Navigating with a Depth Sounder Using depth with a GPS and charts Quick way to cross check your electronics Helps with changing depths in shoal areas Using depth without GPS Good backup for navigating Use dead reckoning and plot your course

Navigating with a Depth Sounder Using depth with radar Can be combined with radar to determine to give a relative location More effective as you get closer to shore