OiCNW – Phase III
Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation
The syllabus is designed in accordance with:
a. IMO Model Course 7.03
b. STCW 1978, as amended
c. M.A.J. Approved syllabus
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Functions as outlined in the STCW
Code
Function 1: Navigation at the Operational level
Function 2: Cargo Handling and Stowage
Function 3: Controlling the Operation of the Ship
and Care of Persons on Board
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Function 1 – Navigation
Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation
Definitions – earth
Charts & Datums
Distances
Position lines and positions
Sailings
Chartwork exercises
Info. from charts, list of lights & other pubs.
Tides
Keeping a log
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Recommended reference texts
Admiralty Manual of Navigation Vol. I
An Introduction to Coastal Navigation - A
Seaman’s Guide
The Navigation Control Manual
Practical Navigation for Second Mates
American Practical Navigator Vols. I & II
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Aims and Objective
Aims: This course aims to meet the mandatory
minimum requirements for knowledge,
understanding and proficiency in Table A-II/1 of
STCW ’95 for Navigation at the Operational level.
Objective: At the end of this course students
should be able to:
plan and conduct a passage for terrestrial &
coastal navigation; use compasses and other
electronic nav. aids for position fixing, calculate
levels or times of tides at different ports; use
navigational publications to assist with planning
and execution of passages.
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maintain a safe navigational watch
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Definitions
The Earth
Greatest and least radii
Prime meridian
Equator
Latitude: the angle which perpendicular to the
earth’s surface makes with the plane of the
equator
Longitude: angle between the plane of the
prime meridian and the meridian of the place
measured from 0 to 180.
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Definitions cont’d
Difference of latitude: (d.lat) the angular difference between two latitudes named N
or S.
Difference of Longitude: (d.long) the angular difference between two places
measured in degrees 0 to 180 named E or W.
Nautical Mile: arc of the earth’s circumference subtended by an angle of one
minute at the centre of curvature. 6,080 feet.
ment of lat. and long.
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Definitions cont’d
Small circle: circle on a sphere that does not
pass through the centre of the sphere.
Great circle: circle on a sphere whose plane
passes through the centre of the sphere.
Spherical Angle: angles formed by the
intersection of two or more great circles.
True course & Gyro course
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Definitions continued
Departure: this is the east-west distance
measured in nautical miles that exists
between two meridians. It must not be
confused with d.long which is always the
same between two meridians.
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Checking Deviation
Compass bearing of an object is compared
with a known true bearing and if the variation
is known, then the deviation is found.
Methods used are:
Transit bearings
Azimuth of heavenly body
Horizontal angles
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The Earth
Oblate spheroid
a = 3,444 nm
b = 3,432 nm
Sea mile: 1’ of arc along the meridian of that
place. .
At the equator 1 sea mile = 1843 metres
At the poles: 1862 metres
At 45 degrees: 1 nautical mile =1852 metres
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Compression
Compression is denoted by: f according to
the World Geodetic System (WGS) 72
f = a-b/a where f is a constant 1/298.26
From this formula we can find either a or b
where one of the unknown is given.
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Key Terms
Observed Position (Obs. Pos.) obtained from
visual bearings from terrestrial objects;
simultaneous star sights; combination of
moon and star sights and electronic nav.
aids.
Dead Reckoning (DR) – obtained from course
and distance only.
Estimated Position (EP)– based on course
and distance with an estimation made for
leeway, set and drift of tidal stream.
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Fixing by Cross Bearings
The intersection of two or more bearing lines will give a
position. Its accuracy will be affected by errors on compasses
which must be applied in order to obtain the correct position.
Minimum angle of cut should be 30 degrees.
Mariners must be aware of a ‘cocked hat’ which occurs when
three bearing are taken but they do not intersect at the same
point.
To eliminate this error a more correct position may be obtained
by plotting the horizontal angles measured between the
compass or gyro. A simpler method is to assume that the
vessel is located at the most dangerous point of the triangle.
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Fixing by RADAR
Radar range and visual bearing
Radar range and radar bearing
Radar ranges.
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Estimated Position
Lay off course
Apply leeway angle
Apply set and rate
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Bearings
True bearing: referenced to true north
Magnetic bearing: referenced to magnetic
north
Compass bearing: referenced to compass
north
Relative bearing: referenced to the fore and
aft line of the ship.
Beam bearing: referenced at right angles to
the course steered. Always calculate beam
bearing from the course steered.
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Tidal Streams & Current
Tidal streams are caused by periodic
horizontal movement of water caused by the
tide rising forces of the sun and moon. The
key feature of tidal streams is that the rate
and direction are not constant.
Current is the horizontal movement of water
caused by meteorological or oceanographical
factors. The key feature is that it direction
and rate are usually constant.
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Finding the set, drift and rate of the
current
We will do an exercise in the chart to
determine the set, rate and drift when there is
only:
tidal stream
tidal stream and leeway
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