1) Chart Reading-
a. Normally a “Mercator” Projection
b. Scales:
i. Large Scale (small area) 1: 10,000
ii. Small Scale (large area) 1: 200,000
c. Chart Numbering
d. Chart Revision date/corrections included
i. Notice to Mariners
ii. Local Notice to Mariners
e. Depths (Soundings) in Feet/Meters? Normally from MLLW
f. Heights (for things like bridges) usually relative to MHHW
g. Notes, Notes, Notes…….
h. Bottom contours, shading
i. Topographical contours, shading
j. Navigation aids:
i. Buoys
ii. Lights
iii. Prominent structures
k. Wrecks, rocks, other symbols
l. Types of Charts:
i. Loran, Omega, etc…
ii. Planning
2) Piloting-
a. Tools
i. Chart
ii. Dividers
iii. Compass
iv. Parallel Rulers
v. Pencil
vi. Eraser
b. Latitude
i. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds
ii. 0 – 90 Degrees North or South of Equator
c. Longitude (East or West of Greenwich)
i. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds
ii. 0 – 180 Degrees East or West of Greenwich
d. Measuring distances
i. 1 Degree of Latitude = 60NM
ii. 1 Minute of Latitude = 1 NM
iii. Measure close to your position
iv. Some charts have a scale
e. Measuring Direction
i. True –vs- Magnetic
ii. Variation, annual change
iii. Degrees, Minutes
iv. Deviation in Magnetic Compasses
v. CDMVTAE
f. Fixing Your Position
i. Lines of position
1. Bearings
2. Radar Ranges
3. Depth
4. RDF
5. Visual ranges
6. Loran/Omega
ii. GPS
1. Latitude
2. Longitude
g. Measuring Speed
i. True (OG) or through the water
ii. Speed Log (Knotmeter)
iii. GPS
h. Measuring Course
i. True
ii. Compass
i. Dead Reckoning
i. The DR Plot
ii. Set and Drift