Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
In the past, seafarers found their position by the height of the stars in the night sky and their apparent direction, north or south of the equator. As of May 2011, two complete artificial constellations of satellites ring the planet, the American Global Positioning System and the Russian Glonass. Two additional systems, the EU's Galileo and the Chinese "Compass" are nominally operational. These satellite navigation systems give mariners a new set of technological stars by which to navigate.
It can be to your advantage to learn the essentials and finer points of sailing online before hitting the water. US Sailing, the national governing body for sailing, offers courses on its website that allow you to learn on your own time at your own pace. Sailing is a fun but challenging activity. If you prepare online in advance, you can minimize the frustrations of trial-and-error learning aboard the sailboat and instead focus on improving your skills.
Boats must display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise, both to see and be seen by other watercraft, and during periods of restricted visibility, such as in heavy fog or rain. The Coast Guard has issued rules on colors and types of lights to ensure consistency on all U.S. waters.
How you interact with another vessel that's approaching you, overtaking you or crossing in front of you is dependent on visibility--your ability to see the other vessel with your eyes, not with the radar. Calculating visibility and constantly being aware of the amount of visibility your have are essential elements in choosing your vessel's speed and course, and a part of good seamanship.
The Northwest Passage (NWP) is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coastline of North America via the waterways that connect the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Explorers for centuries have been trying get through the passage for a potential trade route to the Far East, but the route is frozen solid. However, during a brief portion of the Arctic summer, the ice recedes enough to allow boats through the Northwest Passage.
Navigating a small fishing boat in the fog when there are no points of light to use as references, no GPS and no boat compass is not difficult. Of course, you must have the necessary gear available and be prepared.
