Table of contents
1.0 Considerations and charts…………………………………………………………….1
1.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………….1
1.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………..2
1.3 Challenging conditions and unfamiliar waters……………………………………..2
1.4 Chart types and scales ……………………………………………………………………..3
1.4.1 Mercator projection ……………………………………………………………………3
1.4.2 Polyconic projection ……………………………………………………………………5
1.4.3 Gnomonic projection ………………………………………………………………….6
1.4.4 Scales ……………………………………………………………………………………….7
1.5 IALA Maritime buoyage system …………………………………………………………8
1.6 Extended cruising considerations ……………………………………………………….8
1.6.1 Accuracy vs. precision ………………………………………………………………..9
1.6.2 Chart accuracy …………………………………………………………………………..9
1.6.3 Compass considerations …………………………………………………………..10
1.6.4 Considerations for longer cruises ………………………………………………11
1.7 Sample cruise ………………………………………………………………………………….11
1.8 Digital charts ………………………………………………………………………………….11
1.8.1 Raster charts …………………………………………………………………………..12
1.8.2 Vector charts…………………………………………………………………………….13
1.8.3 Digital chart accuracy ………………………………………………………………14
1.8.4 Viewability issues ……………………………………………………………………15
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………….16
2.0 Electronic navigation tools …………………………………………………………19
2.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………..19
2.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………20
2.3 Electronic navigation systems …………………………………………………………..20
2.3.1 System components ………………………………………………………………….21
2.3.2 Interface standards ………………………………………………………………….23
2.4 Chartplotter applications and features ………………………………………………24
2.5 Computer navigation applications and features………………………………….26
2.6 Other hardware supporting navigation applications …………………………..27
2.7 Pros and cons of chartplotters versus PC-based navigation systems ……27
2.7.1 Cruising conditions ………………………………………………………………….28
2.7.2 Power and interconnection needs ………………………………………………29
2.7.3 Budget and future plans …………………………………………………………..29
2.8 Sensors and other instrumentation ……………………………………………………30
2.9 GPS ………………………………………………………………………………………………..30
2.10 Radar ………………………………………………………………………………………………30
2.10.1 Radar accuracy……………………………………………………………………….31
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Table of Contents Advanced Piloting
Advanced Piloting Table of Contents
2.10.2 Electronic bearing line (EBL) ………………………………………………….33
2.10.3 Variable range marker (VRM) ………………………………………………..33
2.10.4 Rules of relative motion …………………………………………………………34
2.10.5 Broadband radar ……………………………………………………………………35
2.10.6 Heading sensor ……………………………………………………………………..35
2.11 AIS receiver/transponder ………………………………………………………………….35
2.12 Depth sounders and sonars ………………………………………………………………36
2.12.1 Types of depth sounders …………………………………………………………37
2.12.2 Scanning sonar……………………………………………………………………….37
2.12.3 Navigating with a depth sounder …………………………………………….38
2.13 Other sensors ………………………………………………………………………………….38
2.13.1 Wind instruments ………………………………………………………………….38
2.13.2 Speed, water temperature and engine sensors …………………………39
2.14 Autopilots ……………………………………………………………………………………….39
2.14.1 What autopilots do………………………………………………………………….39
2.14.2 How autopilots work ………………………………………………………………40
2.14.3 Autopilot advantages………………………………………………………………40
2.14.4 Responsibilities of the navigator …………………………………………….40
2.15 VHF radio and digital selective calling………………………………………………40
2.16 Planning and systems issues …………………………………………………………….41
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………….43
3.0 Fixes ………………………………………………………………………………………………45
3.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………..45
3.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………45
3.3 Dead Reckoning (DR) ……………………………………………………………………….46
3.4 Fixes from bearings …………………………………………………………………………46
3.4.1 Bearing errors …………………………………………………………………………48
3.5 Running Fixes ………………………………………………………………………………….49
3.6 Classroom exercise …………………………………………………………………………..55
3.7 GPS fix accuracy …………………………………………………………………………….55
3.8 Radar ………………………………………………………………………………………………56
3.8.1 Obtaining a fix …………………………………………………………………………56
3.8.2 Radar return characteristics……………………………………………………..58
3.8.3 Examples ………………………………………………………………………………..59
3.8.4 Fix accuracy …………………………………………………………………………….60
3.9 Classroom exercise …………………………………………………………………………..61
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………….62
4.0 Avoidance techniques ………………………………………………………………..65
4.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………..65
4.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………65
4.3 Pre-qualifying a boating area …………………………………………………………..66
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4.4 Danger bearings ………………………………………………………………………………67
4.5 Exercise 4.1 Danger bearing – visible landmark and GPS ………………….70
4.6 Crosstrack error ………………………………………………………………………………70
4.7 Danger circles ………………………………………………………………………………….71
4.8 Exercise 4.2 Danger circles ………………………………………………………………73
4.9 Collision bearings …………………………………………………………………………….74
4.10 Putting it all together……………………………………………………………………….75
4.11 Other techniques using GPS …………………………………………………………….76
4.12 Other techniques using radar …………………………………………………………..78
4.13 Exercise 4.3 Radar avoidance …………………………………………………………..78
4.14 Computer navigation using safe and avoidance areas…………………………78
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………….82
5.0 Positioning techniques ………………………………………………………………..83
5.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………..83
5.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………83
5.3 Plotting position ………………………………………………………………………………84
5.3.1 Plotting GPS bearing and distance to a waypoint……………………….85
5.3.2 Exercise 5.1: Plotting position using bearing and distance …………85
5.3.3 Plotting using GPS bearings on two waypoints…………………………..86
5.3.4 Plotting using GPS distances from two waypoints ……………………..86
5.3.5 Plotting using two radar EBL (Electronic Bearing Lines) …………..86
5.3.6 Plotting using radar VRM (Variable Range Marker) ………………….87
5.3.7 Plotting position using grid line crossing……………………………………87
5.4 Using GPS on the water……………………………………………………………………87
5.4.1 Leading lines …………………………………………………………………………..87
5.5 Using radar on the water ………………………………………………………………….87
5.5.1 Exercise 5.2: Plotting position using radar distance off …………….89
5.6 Navigating into the wind and waves ………………………………………………….89
5.6.1 Making the mark …………………………………………………………………………….90
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………….91
6.0 Working with tides ……………………………………………………………………..93
6.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………..93
6.2 What you will learn …………………………………………………………………………93
6.3 Tides………………………………………………………………………………………………..93
6.3.1 Moon phases and tides …………………………………………………………….94
6.3.2 Local tide patterns……………………………………………………………………94
6.4 Tidal definitions ………………………………………………………………………………96
6.5 Tidal datum……………………………………………………………………………………..97
6.6 Sources of tidal data …………………………………………………………………………97
6.7 Canadian tide and current tables ……………………………………………………..98
6.7.1 Tables 1 and 2: Reference Ports ………………………………………………..98
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Table of Contents Advanced Piloting
Advanced Piloting Table of Contents
6.7.2 Table 3: Secondary Ports: Information and Tidal Differences ……..98
6.7.3 Table 4: Reference and Secondary Current Stations ………………….98
6.7.4 Tables 5 and 5A: Time Intervals—Height Differences ………………..98
6.7.5 Daily Tables – Reference Ports and Stations………………………………98
6.8 Use of the tide tables ……………………………………………………………………….99
6.8.1 Example 1: To find the height of tide at a specific place
and time ………………………………………………………………………………….99
6.8.2 Example 2: To find the time of a specific height of tide, at
a specific location……………………………………………………………………105
6.9 US tide tables ………………………………………………………………………………..107
6.10 Caution for boaters …………………………………………………………………………108
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………..109
7.0 Working with tidal currents ……………………………………………………..111
7.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………111
7.2 What you will learn ……………………………………………………………………….111
7.3 Tidal currents ………………………………………………………………………………..111
7.4 Canadian current tables………………………………………………………………….112
7.5 Current solutions …………………………………………………………………………..112
7.5.1 Example 1: To find times of current turn and current
maximum at a specific location ………………………………………………112
7.6 Duration of slack…………………………………………………………………………….115
7.6.1 Explanation of table ………………………………………………………………116
7.6.2 Example 2: To find the length of time that the current will
be near slack for a specific location, time and date when
ebb and flood currents are approximately equal……………………….116
7.6.3 Example 3: To find the times on either side of slack water,
on a certain day and at a specific location, when the current will
be below a certain speed. In this example the differences between
maximum flood and ebb currents are significantly different. ……117
7.7 Velocity of current at any time ……………………………………………………….119
7.7.1 Example 4: To estimate the current at a time intermediate
between slack and maximum flow. …………………………………………..119
7.8 Quick check to estimate current – the 50/90 rule …………………………….121
7.9 US current tables …………………………………………………………………………..121
7.9.1 Table 1: Current station data ………………………………………………….121
7.9.2 Table 2: Current differences and other constants ……………………121
7.9.3 Table 3: Interval between slack and maximum current …………..122
7.9.4 Table 4: Slack interval for current less than 0.5 knots ………………122
7.10 Caution for boaters …………………………………………………………………………122
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………..123
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8.0 Piloting with winds and currents …………………………………………….125
8.1 General …………………………………………………………………………………………125
8.2 What you will learn ……………………………………………………………………….125
8.3 Understanding vectors ……………………………………………………………………125
8.4 Determine current set and drift ……………………………………………………..128
8.4.1 Example – Graphical approach………………………………………………..128
8.4.2 Exercise 8.1: Determine set and drift……………………………………….131
8.5 Determine course to steer ………………………………………………………………132
8.5.1 Method 1: Determining course to steer based on fixed
boat speed through the water ………………………………………………….133
8.5.2 Method 2: Determining course to steer based on fixed
boat speed …………………………………………………………………………….136
8.6 Using GPS to stay on course …………………………………………………………..140
Homework Questions ……………………………………………………………………..141
Appendix A………………………………………………………………………………………………….I
Exercise 1 – Introductory cruise …………………………………………………………I
Solution to Exercise …………………………………………………………………………III
Appendix B ………………………………………………………………………………………………IV
Cruise of the AyPee…………………………………………………………………………..IV
Appendix C ………………………………………………………………………………………………XI
Tide table references…………………………………………………………………………XI
Appendix D …………………………………………………………………………………………….XXI
Tidal current table references …………………………………………………………XXI
Appendix E …………………………………………………………………………………………..XXXI
Exercise 1 – Homework answers ………………………………………………….XXXI
Section 1.0 – Considerations and charts ……………………………………….XXXI
Section 2.0 – Electronic navigation tools ……………………………………….XXXI
Section 3.0 – Fixes ……………………………………………………………………….XXXI
Section 4.0 – Avoidance techniques ………………………………………………XXXI
Section 5.0 – Positioning techniques …………………………………………….XXXI
Section 6.0 – Working with tides ………………………………………………….XXXI
Section – 7.0 Working with tidal currents ………………………………….XXXIII
Appendix F …………………………………………………………………………………………XXXIV
Cruise answers …………………………………………………………………………XXXIV
Index ………………………………………………………………………………………………….XXXV