Objective

Any student that has successfully completed this course will be able to: • Perform piloting techniques such as distance off and bearing problems • Explain the principles, operation, and maintenance of magnetic and gyrocompasses • Describe the features and use of nautical charts • Understand the use of navigation instruments and accessories • Describe and explain the use of aids to navigation in the IALA-A and B systems • Describe the purpose and use of Sailing Directions and other navigation publications • Define nautical astronomy and navigation terms and identify and select stars • Determine compass error by amplitude, azimuth, and terrestrial observations • List the features of ocean current systems • Describe the characteristics of weather systems • Explain the features of tides and tidal currents • List the basic principles of watchkeeping • Describe elements of the Navigation Safety Regulations (33 CFR 164) • Find latitude by Polaris and by meridian transit • Determine fix and running fix by celestial observation • Determine zone of sun rise/set/twilight • Adjust the sextant and correct for errors • Measure the altitude of the sun and other stars • Determine time of Meridian Transit and latitude by Meridian Transit • Solve great circle, parallel, mid-latitude, great circle sailing problems, and Mercator sailing problems • Calculate tide and tidal current problems

Target Group

Any applicant who has successfully completed your Oceans Navigation / Celestial Navigation (500/1600 Tons) (HOUSTM-107) course will satisfy the professional examination requirements for increasing the scope of the following endorsements from near coastal to oceans: Second or Third Mate of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage; AND Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 500 or 1600 ORT; AND Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 200 ORT; AND Master or Mate of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels; AND The Celestial Navigation training requirements of 46 CFR 11.309(a)( 4)(viii) for an STCW endorsement as OICNW on vessels of 500 GT; AND The Celestial Navigation standards of competence required by 46 CFR l 1.309(a)(3); AND The Celestial Navigation standards of competence required by STCW Code Section A¬II/1 and Tables A-II/1, as amended 2010, meeting the National Assessment Guidelines from NVICs 12-14(Ch-3) and 02-18 Tasks 1.1.A, 1.1.B, 1.1.C, 1.1.D, 1.1.E, and 1.1.F

Examination

In order to successfully complete this course, each candidate must obtain a grade percentage of not less than 80% on the Navigation Problems: Oceans exam (15 questions); and 70% on the Navigation General: Oceans exam (70 questions).

Course Contents

This 11 day (80 hours) course covers the following contents: - Terrestrial Foundations for Ocean Navigation - Parallel and Mercator Sailing - Nautical Astronomy - Mid-Latitude Sailing - The Celestial Equator Coordinate System - Great Circle Sailing - The Horizon Coordinate System - ETA - The Navigation Triangle - Amplitude - Time - Azimuth - Time of Meridian Transit - Tide and Current Calculations - Latitude at Meridian Transit - Weather - Zone of Time of Sunrise/Sunset/Twilight - Basic Principles of Watchkeeping - Sextants and Altitude Correction - Ocean Currents - Nautical Almanac - Compasses - Circles of Equal Altitude and Altitude Intercept - Charts - Solving Navigation Triangles - Distance Off/Bearing Problems - Fix/Running - Sun - Instruments and Accessories - Fix/Running - Star - Navigation Safety Regulations - Latitude by Polaris - Star/Planet Identification and Selection