Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course Syllabus

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship course provides an introduction to the basic skills required before taking a small boat to sea or taking an active part in running a boat.

 

• 1. Charts, publications and terms

• Basic terms
• Chart overview
• Introduction to chart datum and depths

• 2. Buoyage

• Lateral buoys
• Cardinal buoys
• Where to find information

• 3. Navigation

• Plotting a position
• Measuring distance and bearing
• Position fix
• Heading

• 4. Safety

• Personal and boat safety equipment
• Safety procedures and briefing
• Communications
• Engine checks
• Rescue procedures

• 5. Anchoring

• Where to anchor
• How to anchor

• 6. Tides

• Tidal streams
• Tidal heights

• 7. Electronic navigation

• GPS terms
• GPS use
• Using waypoints

• 8. Rules of the road

• Risk of collision
• Who gives way

• 9. Weather forecasts

• Sources of forecast
• Terms used in forecasts

• 10. Pilotage

• Harbour information
• Transits
• Pilotage plan

• 11. Passage planning

• SOLAS V requirements
• Pre planning
• Chart choice