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
