Types of navigation, Navigation as a hobby, Modern Navigation, What is a small craft? Philosophy, Electronic vs. Traditional methods, Introduction to online resources.

Lesson 2 — NAUTICAL CHARTS & CHART READING

Lat, Lon, and nautical miles, Charts, Special Publications (Catalogs, List of Latest Editions, Notices to Mariners, Light List, Coast Pilot, Chart No. 1), Plotting tools, Nav stations, Chart reading, Shipping lanes.

Lesson 3 — LIGHTS, BUOYS AND OTHER AIDS

The Light List, Light characteristics, Predicting lights (Nominal range, Geographical Range, and Luminous Range), Estimating the range of visibility, Navigation by lights, Buoyage systems

Lesson 4 — COMPASS USE

Earth’s magnetic field, Variation, How a steering compass works, Deviation, What affects compasses and what doesn’t, Compass conversions, How to check your compass, Bearing compasses, Bearing fixes.

Lesson 5 — DEAD RECKONING

Ranges as Lines of Position, Speed, time, and distance (magic circle, slide rule, tricks), Plotting procedures, Log books, DR plus fixes, depth sounding navigation.

Lesson 6 — PILOTING

Value of one LOP, Fix errors and instrument errors, Knotmeter and log calibration, Distance off (vertical and horizontal angles, blink of the eye), Doubling the bow angle, Running fixes, range and bearing fix.

Lesson 7 — ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION

Use of GPS underway, Position navigation, SOG and COG, Waypoints and routes, Currents, XTE, and plotters, How GPS Works, Loran and other electronic aids, Electronic Compasses, Trends in electronic publications.

Lesson 8 — TIDES and CURRENTS

Tides vs. tidal currents, Use of Tide Tables, Rule of 12’s and other tricks, Types of currents (ocean, tidal, wind-driven, coastal currents), Current Tables and Charts, Reading the water, Currents and waves, DR with currents (some tricks), Inland vs coastal currents, value of Coast Pilot

Lesson 9 — NAVIGATION IN CURRENT

Measuring current strength, Crossing Currents, Using natural ranges, Time and place to cross.

Lesson 10 — RULES OF THE ROAD

Right of way and obligations (sail and power), Running lights (yours and theirs), Collision avoidance, Use of Radar, Gill nets, GPS, LORAN, Navigation planning, General review and summary of procedures.

Lesson 11 — NAVIGATION PLANNING AND PRACTICE

Preparation, Shoreline routes, In and around islands, Open-water crossings, Coastal routes, Planning around wind and currents, Navigation at night and in fog, High seas navigation.

Lesson 12 — SPECIAL TOPICS

Procedures in reduced visibility, depth soundings, Radio Direction Finding, Entering a strange harbor in reduced visibility at night, Progress to weather (leeway, wind-driven currents, helm biases), VHF radios, cell phones, etc.