How to Navigate a Boat

Navigation knowledge is a crucial part of boat ownership.

Boaters who leave the docks unprepared are risking their lives, the lives of others on board and the safety of the vessel itself. Navigation knowledge is a must, as is safety comprehension and gear, and solid awareness of the "Rules of the Road." The best action is to take a course on basic navigation before heading out to sea, no matter the vessel. If you plan to teach yourself, home study courses are available.

Things You'll Need

• Nautical charts
• Plotting tools
• Pencils
• Working compass
• Barometer
• Electronic navigation equipment
• Weather fax
• NOAA Chart No. 1
• Light List
• Tides and currents charts and tables
• Notices to Mariners
• Nautical books
• Celestial navigation materials
• Sextant
• Watch or chronometer
• Completed safety drills
• Emergency equipment
• Binoculars
• Foul weather gear
• Marine radio
• Optional:
• Inland waterways training
• Near coastal training
• Offshore training

Instructions

1. Check the Local Notices to Mariners, the barometer, tide and current info, radio weather reports, equipment, supplies, and onshore wind instruments before leaving the dock. Make sure there are no small craft or other advisories, indicated by coastal warning displays. These are above and beyond basic boat checks.

2. Plot your course from a buoy nearby outside the marina. Using your plotting tools on the nautical charts, lightly draw the intended course you will sail, such as a point-to-point cruise up a coastline or a longer course to a specific destination. Check the chart for all obstacles or issues to watch for, noting the buoys and lights. Plan the estimated time of arrival (ETA) by calculating the distance and your average boat speed. The course is a compass heading.

3. Head out on the water, keeping your chart(s) handy. Have others aboard to help keep watch, steer the boat, handle lines, and so forth. Using your plotted course in combination with the present weather conditions, plot the actual path of the boat onto the chart. You may be getting pushed off course by winds or currents, so it may not be what you expect. Take compass sightings to objects and landmarks on shore. Where two cross, you'll have a "fix", which is the location of the boat if it weren't still moving.

4. Update your position by marking periodic fixes on the chart. This will give you much information as to your progress. Adjust course as needed. Boating at night will give you good practice as visibility diminishes. The lights become critical. If you are going on the ocean, your electronics will be of great value for navigation. However, it's wise to take along a sextant and celestial navigation materials -- the electronics can fail.

5. Sail or motor to each destination by consistently checking your location and calculating how to move from where you are to where you next want to be. Check the tides and currents and time changes, effects of each both. Practice navigation rules and safety as you maneuver. Enter harbors (especially those unfamiliar to you) with extreme caution and slow speeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Dead reckoning skills applying speed/time/distance calculations can help you in many situations. But to learn them takes practice.

• Don't get lazy and rely solely on your global positioning system (GPS). These (usually) provide precise coordinates that you can plot on your chart, but know what to do when batteries die or the electronics break down.

• Radar and other devices such as depth sounders are needed to go to sea -- learn how to use, read and interpret the information from all your equipment, tools and devices before setting sail.

• Don't attempt to navigate long distances without doing practice exercises under the guidance of experienced boaters, sailors and navigators. A short trip across a lake on a small ski boat is not the same as heading to sea on a 50-foot boat and will require a much broader set of skills.

References

• "Navigation Rules: Rules of the Road"; David Burch; 2010
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Office of Coast Survey; U.S. Chart No. 1
• Nautical Know How, Inc; Nautical Charts
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Office of Coast Survey; Dangers to Navigation: Notice to Mariners
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Tides and Currents
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: National Weather Service Marine Forecasts

Resources

• Global Navigation Software Company; Summary of Chart Types
• Starpath Corporation; Starpath School of Navigation
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Office of Coast Survey
• Blue Seas; NGA List of Lights and USCG Light Lists
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Paper Charts
• The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office; Admiralty Leisure Products