British Virgin Island (BVI) Sailing Courses

Learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), St. Martin, St. Barths and other Caribbean Islands

Contact Us to register for sailing courses on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Coastal Navigation
(USSA Coastal Navigation certification)
ASA Coastal Navigation (105)

Prerequisites: None
Completion time: 8 hours

Coastal navigation graduates will be able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters through traditional navigation techniques. Students will also learn how to integrate electronic navigation tools into the navigation plan.

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View the detailed course curriculum

Course Curriculum

Certification Requirements:
1. Explain the chart symbols and conventions on nautical charts in accordance with the terminology of chart #1.

2. Be familiar with the sources of appropriate navigation publications.

3. Demonstrate ability to select appropriate charts from the chart catalog.

4. Demonstrate ability to update charts using the Local Notice to Mariners.

5. Demonstrate ability to use Chart #1.

6. Demonstrate ability to use a Coast Pilot.

7. Demonstrate ability to use a Light List.

8. Determine the height of tide at any time or location.

9. Determine the direction and strength of the current at any time or location.

10. Understand buoyage systems and Aids to Navigation.

11. Calculate the geographical and luminous range of a light for a given height of eye and visibility.

12. Describe the operation of electronic navigation instruments: knotmeters, knotlogs, fathometers, wind speed and direction finders, radar, VHF radio, weatherfax, and personal computers.

13. Understand the operation of the GPS.

14. Understand the importance of using a navigation (or deck) log when navigating formally.

15. Understand the principles of safe inshore pilotage, such as: safe course, clearing (or danger) bearings, back bearings, ranges (or transits), and use of the fathometer.

16. Understand how to interpret and integrate weather information into your navigation.

17. Describe the importance of such navigational strategies as: upwind or upcurrent arrival; anticipating leeway; the favored tack; working the middle; reaching, not running; and the dawn arrival.

18. Be familiar with the safety precautions to be taken before entering fog and describe the following fog tactics: buoy hopping, deliberate offset, visibility circles.

19. Understand the care and use of plotting tools.

20. Measure distance on a chart with and without a bar scale.

21. Determine the Latitude and Longitude of a position.

22. Plot and label, neatly and accurately, the following items: a Ded Reckoning (DR) course; a course corrected for leeway; an after motion triangle to determine a course to steer given the set and drift of a known current; a before motion triangle to determine a course to steer given the set and drift of a known current; a running fix; a fix; a danger bearing; ranges.