Basic Navigation and Safety Course

This course gives a basic introduction to navigation and safety for anyone new to boating: sailors, powerboaters, sea anglers, divers and boatmasters. Also useful for experienced dinghy and keelboat sailors and inshore racers.

Pre-course experience
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Course content

Charts and publications, safety, buoyage, tidal awareness, basic navigation and pilotage, rules of the road, electronic navigation, anchoring, weather forecasts, passage planning

Ability after course
A basic awareness and understanding of navigation and safety

Minimum duration 16 hours. Can be taught over 2 days or a series of shorter sessions

Cost: €280 inc Shorebased Pack

Basic Navigation & Safety Course Syllabus

   
    

 

The Basic Navigation & Safety 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

  1. Basic terms
  2. Chart overview
  3. Introduction to chart datum and depths

  • 2. Buoyage

  1. Lateral buoys
  2. Cardinal buoys
  3. Where to find information

  • 3. Navigation

  1. Plotting a position
  2. Measuring distance and bearing
  3. Position fix
  4. Heading

  • 4. Safety

  1. Personal and boat safety equipment
  2. Safety procedures and briefing
  3. Communications
  4. Engine checks
  5. Rescue procedures

  • 5. Anchoring

  1. Where to anchor
  2. How to anchor

  • 6. Tides

  1. Tidal streams
  2. Tidal heights

  • 7. Electronic navigation

  1. GPS terms
  2. GPS use
  3. Using waypoints

  • 8. Rules of the road

  1. Risk of collision
  2. Who gives way

  • 9. Weather forecasts

  1. Sources of forecast
  2. Terms used in forecasts

  • 10. Pilotage

  1. Harbour information
  2. Transits
  3. Pilotage plan

  • 11. Passage planning

  1. SOLAS V requirements
  2. Pre planning
  3. Chart choice
 
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