General Description: Able to demonstrate the navigational
theoryrequired to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal
or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard
and practical application of this Sailing Knowledge is found in
the Advanced Coastal Cruising
Standard.
SAILING KNOWLEDGE
A Certified Sailor has successfully demonstrated his or her
ability to:
Explain the chart symbols and conventions on U.S. nautical
charts in accordance with the terminology of chart #1.
Identify a source of official U.S. Coast Guard navigation
publications.
List the publications required for prudent navigation in the
local area including the following ASA minimum requirements:
Large scale charts of the area and chart #1
Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats
USCG Navigation Rules
State small vessel regulations
Local rules and regulations, if applicable
Local sailing directions
Tide and current tables, if applicable
List of lights, buoys, and fog signals
Radio aids to navigation (if using radio or RDF)
List the instruments required for prudent navigation in the
local area including the following minimum requirements:
Steering compass and deviation table
Handbearing compass and / or pelorus
Binoculars
Protractor or parallel rule
Depth sounder or leadline
Pencil, eraser, and notebook
Dividers
Watch or clock
Log / Knotmeter
Describe the purpose of "Notice to Mariners."
Use the tide and current tables to find:
Times and heights of tides at reference and secondary
ports.
Direction and rate of current at referenced and secondary
stations.
Convert courses and bearings between true, magnetic, and compass.
Check compass deviation by means such as a transit bearing.
Plot a dead reckoning position on a chart using speed, time
and course to steer.
Allow for the effect of current and leeway to plot the estimated
position.
Determine a course to steer which takes into account known
current and leeway.
Determine current given the course steered and speed and two
observed positions.
Plot a chart position from terrestrial objects using:
Two or more bearings on different objects taken at one
time.
Bearings at different times (i.e. a running fix).
One bearing and transit range.
One distance (i.e. a sounding or dipping a light) and
one bearing.
Use the above techniques to chart a course of at least 20
miles and 3 course changes.
Explain the terms and characteristics used for lighted navigation
aids.
Explain the significance of shapes, colors, and lights used
in the buoyage system.
