1. America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition
Finding Your Way
Chapter 3
Section 9
Section 9
Paragraph 1&2
Would you start a long cross-country automobile trip without first consulting a road map?
On the highway there are many signs to help you stay on the right road and warn of known hazards. But on the water there are few defined roads and signposts.
On open water you may think you have endless options as to where you can go. The problem is that hazards you cannot see often lurk just beneath the surface.
Coastline features often lack crisp definition to help determine your location.
On the water you need the marine equivalent of highway road maps. These are called charts. You should not leave port without the correct, up-to-date charts of the area in which you intend to boat.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this section you will be able to:
State two valuable skills that piloting provides
Use a nautical chart to locate shallow water and shoals.
Locate the key to distances and chart depths on a nautical chart.
Compare chart plotting to digital charting.
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2. Charts & Maps Both show scaled representations of earth Charts show
Maps cover terrestrial areas
Charts cover water areas
Charts show
Underwater features
Features for boaters
Paragraph. 3 to 11
Maps show features on land to allow travel in a vehicle, such as roads, route numbers and places of interest.
Charts, on the other hand, show places and items of interest to the marine community.
They show places to utilize caution ( shallow areas, rocks etc)
As well as areas of safe water and recognized channels.
Detailed charts of local waters are a necessity to safe boating
Charts provide information on hazards, channels and ATONs. Required for safety! 2
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3. Charts
Catalogs from NOAA by region (numbers) Depths - feet, meters, fathoms Depth – significance of colors Contour lines – show depth line Navigation Aides – from section 5 Channels Scales to boater needs
Paragraph. 12 to 15
There is a vast amount of information contained on charts.
In addition to general water depths shown by background color ( white for safe areas and blue for shallow) charts give specific depths at any point.
Contour lines properly used with a depth sounder in a fog, can mean a world of difference.
Navigation aids and charts show the way to new harbors and will keep you off the rocks. 3
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4. Piloting
Navigation using landmarks, NAVAIDS Dead Reckoning – position, speed, time, distance**
Information for boaters
Underwater features
Channels & harbors
Restrictions
Safe & efficient route
Paragraph
Piloting has been defined as navigation using landmarks on the shore and Navigational Aids such as buoys on the water to correctly maneuver your vessel.
In the open ocean, the navigator uses knowledge of the Global Positioning System ( GPS) or celestial navigation.
Dead Reckoning is the practice of determining vessel position using vessel speed, time of travel and distance of travel. When two of the three are known, you can calculate the unknown value.
However, be aware that other forces on your vessel, such as current and wind, can effect either the speed, the time of travel and distance to travel must be estimated.
Underwater features such as rocks or submerged wrecks can ruin a good afternoon on the water.
**Introduced in other USPS courses 5
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5. Electronic Navigation
Reduces effort in determining location
Doesn’t use landmarks or Navaids
uses Latitude & Longitude
You know where you are!
Use traditional means to check
Paragraph 21
The use of waypoints and routes is not referenced to any landmarks. You have pre-selected those Aids to Navigation you wish to use as waypoints. 8
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6. GPS
Reduced effort in determining location Uses electronic aids Great potential precision Use traditional means to check
Paragraph 17-21
The GPS is being used more and more as the primary positioning device for most boaters.
Modern GPS equipment can provide a precise position on a continuous basis. 9
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7. Digital Charting Pre-plan routes: computer or chartplotter**
Stores waypoints from course
Routes can be uploaded to GPS
Displays position on chart
Software can provide live navigation
Paragraph 24-27
Electronic waypoints are reference points on a course line defining a distinct geographical location, identified by a specific latitude and longitude, which are the waypoint’s coordinates.
ROSE POINT
NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
COASTAL EXPLORER
**Introduced in other USPS courses 10
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8. Typical Digital Chartplotter
Displays digital chart Shows obstacles Update Safety device Use alarms
Paragraph 26
Computers can also be used as chartplotters by connecting a GPS to the computer and using a live navigation mode.
Then actual position and track are displayed on the digital chart. 11
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9. Typical Depth Sounder
Essential device Aids navigation Compare depth readings to chart Use depth alarms for navigation
Paragraph 28
Should fog be encountered on your trip, using your depth sounder, you can compare the depth sounder reading with charted depths to reinforce position accuracy.
Simply reduce speed to a safe speed and check your depth sounder as you progress 12
LAST

10. End Section 9 13 13 End of Section 9 SUMMARY:
Now you are able to state two valuable skills that piloting provides:
Use a nautical chart to locate shallow water and shoals.
Locate the key to distances and chart depths on a nautical chart.
Compare chart plotting to digital charting.
END 13 13