Crya coastal navigation copyright

Coastal Navigation
Jack Dale
CRYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor Evaluator
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor
© Jack Dale and CRYA

Why Not Use a GPS
Most vessels of any kind in Canada have an obligation to carry and
use official charts and publications and to keep them up to date. The
chart carriage requirements are listed in the Charts and Nautical
Publications Regulations, 1995 of the Canada Shipping Act.

CHS paper charts meet the requirements of the chart carriage regulations.
CHS digital charts meet the requirements of the chart carriage regulations
under certain circumstances. CHS Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
meet the requirements provided they are used with an Electronic Chart
Display and Information System (ECDIS). CHS raster charts meet the
requirements only if paper charts are carried and used as a backup.

Chartplotter

Section 2
Coastal Navigation Standard

Chart Notation
Guidelines for labeling
Draw your lines lightly and no longer than necessary.
Allow for the thickness of your pencil.
Label a line immediately after drawing it.
The label for any line is placed along that line, that is,
parallel to the line.
The label for any point should not be along any line,
that is, at an angle to the line.

Abbreviations Found on Labels
C = course to steer, also know as the heading (shown at
beginning of the label)
CMG = course made good
 M = magnetic heading (shown at end of the label)
T = true heading (shown at end of the label)
C = compass heading (shown at end of the label)
S = speed through water in knots
SMG = speed made good (sometimes called speed over
ground)
D = distance

Example of Line Labeling
______C 270 T________
S 6.0
Course is 270 T
Speed is 6.0 knots

Labeling Positions
Geographical Position
Latitude Longitude
L 48 37.3’N
 123 23.5’ W
Latitude is abbreviated as “L” or
“Lat”. Longitude is abbreviated
as the Greek letter lambda “”.
Draw a rectangle around the
position.

Labeling Positions
Dead Reckoning Position

Labeling Positions
Fixes
General Fix Two Bearing Fix
Three Bearing Fix

Labeling Positions
Electronic Fixes
Loran Fix GPS Fix
Satellite Fix Radar Fix

Labeling Positions
Estimated Position

Labeling Lines
Course Line
 Course Made Good / Speed Made Good Line

Labeling Lines
Set and Drift
Current

Labeling Lines
Bearing and Time

Labeling Lines
Line of Position  Circle of Position
 Advanced Line of Position

Labeling Lines
Danger Bearing

Some Conventions for Labeling Lines
 Time - 4 digits using the 24 hour clock. (1422)
 Bearings and headings - three digits. (015M)
 Magnetic (M)
 Ship’s compass (C) bearings.
 Bearing without a letter following is assumed to be in true (T).
 Speeds - knots and tenths of knots. (6.3)
 Bearings
 Time is shown along the top of the line
 Bearing below.
 Course lines
 Course heading is shown along the top
 The speed below

Some Conventions for Labeling Lines
As a general guide, the information with the most digits is shown along
the top of the line.
The examples following will illustrate that principle.

Section 3
Tools and Publications

Navigational Equipment
Plotters
Dividers
Hand Bearing Compass
Ship’s Compass
TSD Computer
Calculator
Pencils / Erasers
Binoculars
Knotmeter
Depth Sounder / Lead Line
Watch
Barometer
GPS
VHF Radio

Plotter
Portland Plotter
Douglas Protractor
Parallel Rules
Course Arm Plotter

Dividers
One handed
Straight
 Used for
 Measuring distance
 Determining
Latitude and
Longitude

Hand Bearing Compass
Used to take
bearings
Lines of position
Danger bearings

Ship’s Compass
Binnacle Compass Bulkhead Compass

Fluxgate Compass
Digital compass
Sensor

Nautical Slide Rule
Time speed distance
calculations

Calculator
Time speed distance
calculations
Can be used for celestial
navigation

Pencils / Erasers
O.9 mm pencil
Soft lead
White erasers

Binoculars
7 X 50
May have built-
in compass

Knotmeter
Measures speed through the
water.
Usually includes a trip log
Distance covered

Depth Sounder / Lead Line
Used to measure
depths
Be aware of offset
May not work at
extreme depths

Clock / Watch
Ship’s clock is official time

Barometer
Used to make weather forecasts
Rapidly falling barometer
indicates severe weather

GPS
Position finding
Speed over ground
Velocity made good
ETA
Horizontal datum should match
chart
Older compass may have a
rollover problem.

VHF Radio
Marine weather
forecasts
Notices to Shipping
GMDSS
Communication with
other vessels, marinas

Navigational Publications
Notices to Mariners
Chart 1 - Symbols and
Abbreviations
Catalogue of Nautical Charts
and Related Publications
Sailing Directions
Current Atlas
Canadian Aids to Navigation
System
Tide and Current Tables
List of Lights, Buoys and Fog
Signals
Radio Aids to Marine Navigation

Other Publications
International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea
(ColRegs)
Safe Boating Guide

Section 6
Charts

Charts
 a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent coastal
regions.

Chart Information
Charts show
depths of water and heights of land,
natural features of the seabed,
details of the coastline,
navigational hazards,
locations of natural and man-made aids to navigation,
information on tides and currents,
local details of the Earth's magnetic field,
man-made structures such as harbours and bridges

Chart Classification
Sailing Charts
Offshore passages
1:600,000
Very little detail
General Charts
Making landfalls
1:150,000 to 1:600,000

Chart Classification
Coastal Charts
Inshore navigation
1:50,000 to 1:150,000
Harbour Charts
Navigating harbours and waterways
Larger than 1:50,000
Large scale = lots of detail

Care of Charts
Use soft pencils only
Use white erasers only
Level, flat surface
Keep them updated
Keep them dry
Use below decks
Stow flat / folded

Reading Charts
Title Block
Chart Symbols and Abbreviations

Title Block
Region Identification
Main Title
Scale Identification
Projection
Identification

Title Block
Depths Notes
Elevation Notes
Horizontal Datum
Source Classification
Symbol Reference
Notes (Chart 1)

Title Block
Tides and Current
Notes
Aids to Navigation
Notes
Cautionary Notes
Conversion Table
Metres, Feet, Fathoms

Compass Rose
Variation
May be as many as
four per chart
May vary
Use the closest one

Transferring Charts
Determine position
Determine range and bearing to object on both charts
Verify with latitude and longitude

Important Chart Symbols
Rock awash at chart
datum
Dangerous
underwater rock of
2m (6 ft) or less

Rock which covers
and uncovers, with
drying height
Rock which does
not cover, with
elevation

Kelp
Wreck showing any
portion of hull or
superstructure

Wreck, masts visible
Flood current
direction with rate

Whirlpools, eddies
Wd
Weed seabed

Underwater cable
Limit of restricted
area

Lighted navigational
aid (not floating)
Church

Coordinates
Latitude (L)
Parallels run east and west
Denote location north or south of the Equator
Poles are 90º North and 90º South
Longitude (λ)
Meridians run north and south
Denote location east or west of Prime Meriden
Greenwich
Converge at poles

Latitude and Longitude

Graticule
This latitude/longitude "webbing" is known as the common graticule.
Location can be specified by both latitude and longitude.

Deception Pass
L 48 24.4’N
122 40.2W

Degrees Minutes Seconds
360 degrees in a circle
Symbol º
60 minutes in a degree
Symbol '
60 seconds in a minute
Symbol "

Formats
Latitude – Longitude
DM Degree:Minute
L 49º 30.0’ N λ123º 30.0’W
DMS Degree:Minute:Second
L49 º 30’ 00”N λ123º 30’ 00”W
DD Decimal Degree
L49.5000º N λ123.5000ºW
generally with 4 decimal numbers.

Chart Projections
Mercator
“Normal” projection for charts
Polyconic
May be used in the Great Lakes

Mercator Projection

Conic Projection

The Ships Compass and North
Cardinal Points
North
East
South
West
North is usually at the
top

North
True North
No variation or deviation
Magnetic North
Accounts for variation only
Compass North
Accounts for variation and deviation

Variation
Difference between true north
and magnetic north
North pole and magnetic pole
differ
Annual change
Found on compass rose
Varies globally

Compass Rose
004 1/2°W 1985 (8' E)
4.5º West variation in 1985
8’ annual change
Current variation 3ºW
8 X 34/60 = 4.5º change
4.5 – 4.5 = 0
Subtract when annual change
and variation directions differ
Add when same

Deviation
Difference between ship’s compass and magnetic
bearing
Ferrous metal affects magnetic field on vessel
Relative to vessel’s heading
Found on deviation card / table
No deviation in hand bearing compass

Deviation Table
Deviation Table
Compass
Heading
Deviation
(+E/-W)
Magnetic
Heading
000 7E 007
030 6E 036
060 4E 064
090 2E 092
120 1W 119
150 4W 146
180 7W 173
210 5W 205
240 0 240
270 3E 273
300 4E 304
330 4E 334

Deviation Card
Created by
Compass compensator
Self
Checked using ranges
or transit

Accounting for Variation and Deviation
Helm reads the ship’s compass
Navigator works in true
Navigator makes conversions
Correcting
Compass to True
Uncorrecting
True to Compass

Compass to True Conversions
Correcting Memory Aid
Can
Dead
Men
Vote
Twice
At
Elections
Correcting
Compass heading
+/- Deviation
= Magnetic heading
+/- Variation
= True heading
Add
East

Converting True to Compass
Uncorrecting Memory Aid
True
Virgins
Make
Dull
Company
At
Weddings
Uncorrecting
True heading
+/- Variation
= Magnetic heading
+/- Deviation
=Compass heading
Add
West

Correcting Examples
Compass Deviation Magnetic Variation True
124 16°W
253 12 °W
165 17 °E
337 13 °E

Uncorrecting Examples
True Variation Magnetic Deviation Compass
017 13 °E
073 11 °W
206 9 °E
268 21 °W

Checking Deviation (page 96)
Maintain a course that keeps Rum Island and Turn Point in line
Determine heading from ship’s compass
020 C
True heading
042

Checking Deviation
True Variation Magnetic Deviation Compass
042 18ºE 024 4ºE 020
Compare to deviation table
(updated to 2011)

Checking Deviation

Sources of Error in Deviation Cards
Electronic Interference
Radio speakers near compass
Old deviation card
Winch handles or other metal near compass

Section Four
Tide and Current Tables

Reference and Secondary Ports
Reference ports ar those for which tides tables are given on a every
date.
Secondary ports are those locations for which corrections are
required to get daily tides.

Tide Table – Reference Port
Name of
reference port
Time Zone

Reference Current Stations
Reference
Station
Time
Zone

Flood and Ebb Directions

Identifying Reference Port and Correction
On/sur Point Atkinson pages 56 -59

Defining “Mean” & “Large” Tides

Daily Tables

Tide Calculation Worksheet

Current Table

Current Corrections

Current Worksheet

Current worksheet

Current Stations – St. Lawrence

Current Stations
Designated with a lozenge
Diamond shape with a letter in
centre

Tidal Stream Table
On chart
Hours
before and
after HW at
reference
port
Current
direction (T)
Current rate (kn)
Reference port Current station

Scenario
On July 22, 2007 in the early afternoon you are sailing along the
range toward Cap de Diable in the St. Lawrence River. Your course
will take you over an abandoned cable located at L47 24.15’N 70
27.0’ W. You expect to encounter some current in the vicinity. What
will be the expected currents when the reference station is at High
Water?

Step One
Step 1 - Identify the nearest current station. The
letter in the lozenge will correspond to the
appropriate column on the table. In this case the
secondary current station is marked with a
It is located at L 47 24.4’N  070 27.3’W.
B

Step One
Current
station

Step Two
Identify the appropriate reference port in the second row of the
table. At the row above the position of the secondary station we note
that this is referenced to High Water (HW) at Québec.

Step Two
Current station
Reference port

Step Three
Using the correct pages of the Tide and Current Tables find the High
Water times for the reference port. Using the Tide and Current Tables
we note that in the early afternoon that High Water is at 1148 EST,
which we correct by adding 1 hour for daylight savings and get 1248
EDT.

Step Three
High water
Corrected = 1248 EDT

Step 4
- Note the time difference between High Water at the reference port
and the time for which you want information. We will be at the
current station at 1248, which is also High Water at Québec.

Step 5
Locate the correct row for the time difference and
the column for the current lozenge. The direction of
current in given in degrees true and current rate is
given in knots. From the table we find:
Time: 1248 Rate: 1.0 kn Direction: 040

Other Times
When calculating the rate and direction for times other than High
Water at the reference port, determine the number hours from High
Water at the reference port to the time in which you are interested.
For example, you are at this current station at 1548 (3 hours later).
The characteristics of the current are:
Time: 1548 Rate: 4 kn Direction: 018

Other Times

Section 5
Aids to Navigation

Upstream Rules
AKA Local Direction of Buoyage
Returning from sea
Entering a harbour or marina
Upstream in a river
Traveling in the same direction as the flood current

General Direction of Buoyage
Clockwise around continents
North – West Coast
East – Arctic
South Atlantic
Supersedes Upstream Rules when in conflict.
North of Campbell River

“Red Right Returning”

Aids to Navigation
Floating
Lateral buoys
Cardinal Buoys
Fairway Buoys
Isolated Danger Buoys
Special Purpose Buoys
Fixed
Light stations
Sector lights
Minor lighted aids
Beacons
Standard day Beacons
Bifurcation Day Beacons
Range lights

Lateral Buoys

Bifurcation Buoys

Fairway Buoy

Isolated Danger Buoy

Lightstation

Minor Lighted Aids
Upstream

Standard Day Lateral Beacons

Bifurcation (Junction) Day Beacon

Sector Lights

Range lights

Cardinal Buoys

Special Purpose Buoys

Section 7
Dead Reckoning, The Deck Log and Chart Notation

Time, Speed, Distance
Distance
Measured in nautical miles
One mile equals 1 minute of
latitude
1.15 statute miles (6080 feet)
1852 meters
Speed
Measured in knots (nautical miles per hour)
Time
Measured in minutes

The formula
60D = ST
Distance times 60 equals speed times time
For Distance
D=(ST)/60
For Speed
S=60D/T
For Time
T=60D/S

Guidelines
Speed
1 knot
2 knots
3 knots
4 knots
5 knots
6 knots
Time to travel 1 mile
60 minutes
30 minutes
20 minutes
15 minutes
12 minutes
10 minutes

Examples
Remember to convert time to minutes
1) You have been on route for 4 hours and 20 minutes at a speed of 6
knots. How far have you travelled?
2) You need to get to Porlier Pass (20 miles away) by 1500. At what
time should you depart, if your speed is 6 knots?
3) You leave Sidney for Ganges, a distance of 15 miles. You arrive 4
hours later. What was your speed?

Answers
1. D=ST / 60
6 X 240 /60 = 26 miles
2. T=60D /S
60 X 20 / 6 = 200 minutes (3h 20m)
Depart at 1140
3. S=60D / T
S=60D / T
60 X 15 / 240 = 3.75 knots

Deck Log
Course (add east)
TIME
POSITION C D M V T S SET
DFT CMG SMG
D REMARKS

Deck Log Information
Time and Date
Position
Geographic
Relative
Course
Compass
Magnetic
True

Speed (through water)
Set and Drift
Course and Speed Made Good
Distance Covered

Remarks
Engine hours
Bearings taken
Adjacent nav aids
Sail / power
Weather conditions
Wind strength / direction
Barometer
Clouds /Precipitation
Where anchored / moored
Customs & immigration info
Notes re: anchorage / dock
Any incidents
Any other pertinent information

Accounting for Current-Definitions
Set
The direction the current is flowing in degrees true. For example, a set of 180
is a current flowing due south.
Drift
The rate of the current in knots

Universal Shorthand Labeling
Course to Steer (CTS)
The direction the boat was steered through the water.
Course (C)
Ship’s compass – converted to true
Speed (S)
Ship’s knotmeter

Universal Shorthand Labelling
Course Made Good (CMG)
Speed Made Good (SMG)
Also known as Course and Speed to make Good
Your intended course

Universal Shorthand Labelling
Set
Current direction in true
Drift
Current rate in knots

Taking Currents into Account
Finding Course to Steer
Known
Set
Drift
CMG
Speed (through water)
Determining Set and Drift
Known
Two fixes
Dead reckoning position

Estimated Position based on Current
The slides that follow will cover the steps to determine Estimated
Position (EP) based on the rate and direction of current.

1200
Step 1 – Establish
1230 DR position
DR 1230

1200
Step 2 – Calculate
effect of current.
D=1 X 30/60=.5 M
DR 1230

1200
Step 3 – Draw and
label set / drift line
from DR
DR 1230

1200
Step 3 – Draw and
label EP.
DR 1230
EP 1230

Section 7 continued
Bearings and Fixes

Bearings and LOPs
Bearings
Types
True
Magnetic
Relative
Taken with handbearing
compass
Noted on deck log
Line of Position
Bearing transferred to chart
Labelled

Establishing Fixes
In determining positions:
A fix is the most accurate
An estimated position is more accurate than dead reckoning, but less
accurate than a fix, and
Dead reckoning is the least accurate (but better than nothing).

Methods of Determining Fixes
No visible charted object
Dead reckoning
One visible charted object
Distance off and a bearing
Sounding and a bearing
Running fix

Methods of Determining Fixes
Two visible charted objects
Two point fix
Two distances off
Three visible charted objects
Three point fix
Transit and a bearing

Need to Know
Two or more bearings (different objects, same time)
Two bearing fix
Three bearing fix*
Bearing and distance off
Running fix*
Distance and a bearing
Estimated position*

Estimated
Position
EP 1335
Step 1
•Draw course line.
•Calculate DR
•Take bearing
•Transfer LOP to chart
Step 2
•Draw line perpendicular to LOP to
DR position
•Label

Two Bearing
Fix
Fix 0955
Step 1
•Select two objects
•Right angles
•On chart
•On land
Step 2
•Take bearing / Note time
Step 3
•Draw and label LOPs

Three Bearing
Fix
1148
341M
Fix 1148
Step 1
•Select three objects
•60° or 120°
•On chart
•On land
Step 2
•Take bearing / Note time
Step 3
•Draw and label LOPs

Danger Bearing
Step 1 – Plot bearing tangent to
the danger
Step 2 – Determine bearing of
danger zone
Step 3 – Label danger bearing
with safe bearing
NLT – not less than
NMT - not more than
Step 4 – Mark danger zone with
hatch marks

Collision Bearing – Passing Astern
Angle on the bow is increasing

Collision Bearing – Passing Ahead
Angle on Bow decreasing

Running
Fix
R Fix 1454
•Two LOPs on one or
more objects at different
times
•Fact – you are along
the LOPs
•Assumption – you are
along the advanced LOP
•Fix at intersection of
second LOP and
advanced LOP

Running
Fix
STEP 1
Draw and label course

Running
Fix
Step 2
Take a bearing and note
time.
Draw and label
Step 3
Maintain course and
speed

Running
Fix
Step 4
Take a second bearing
and note the time.

Running
Fix
Step 5
Calculate the distance
travelled
Step 6
Advance the first LOP by
the distance travelled

Running
Fix
R Fix 1454
Step 7
Label your position at
the intersection
•Second LOP
•Advanced LOP

Transit and a Bearing
Step 1 – Charted objects about to range - LOP

Step 2 – As range occurs, take bearing on object at right angles
Step 3 – Draw and label

Step 4 Label the intersection of transit and LOP as a Fix
Fix 1543

Distance off
and a Bearing
Step 1 – Dip the horizon
Step 2 – Determine distance off
•Nomograph
•D=2.12H + 2.12HO
Step 2 - Take a bearing on object
Step 3 – Draw and label LOP
Step 4 – Draw and label COP

Sounding and
a Bearing
Step 1 – Look for a
distinctive change in depth
along course.
Step 2 – As you reach
sounding, take a bearing.
Step 3 – Position - where
LOP and course intersect.

Section 8
Determining Position
Doubling the Angle on the Bow

Doubling Angle
on the Bow
Step 1 – Know and
maintain course and
speed
Draw and label
C
000
S
4.0

Doubling Angle
on the Bow
Step 2 – Take a
bearing on a close
object
Step 3 - Draw and
label LOP
Step 4 – Calculate the
relative bearing (40°)
Step 5 – Maintain
course and speed
C
000
S
4.0

Doubling Angle
on the Bow
Step 6 – Keep taking
bearings until relative
angle doubles to 80°
off the bow (280T,
261M). Note time.
Step 7 – Draw and
label LOP
C
000
S
4.0

Doubling Angle
on the Bow
Step 8 – Calculate
distance travelled.
Distance off =
Distance travelled
Step 9 – Measure
distance off along
second LOP
Step 10 – Label the
RFix
C
000
S
4.0

Section 9
Set and Drift Calculations

Determining
Set and Drift
In this example we intend on traveling from
Cadboro Point (L4827.02’N 12315.83’W) to
Lime Kiln Light (L4830.95’N 12318.08’W). We
depart Cadboro Point at 1100 at a speed of 5
knots on a course of 048T. At 1148 our GPS starts
working and gives us a position of L4828.7’N
12311.3’W. which we plot on our chart. We can
also plot our 1148 DR position. Now we can
determine the set and drift.

Determining
Set and Drift
Step 1 – Draw and label
the course Line

Determining
Set and Drift
Step 2 – Plot and
label the DR
position

GFix 1148
Determining
Set and Drift
Step 3 – Plot and
label the GPS fix

Gfix 1148
Determining
Set and Drift
Step 4 – Connect
the DR and the
GFix

Gfix 1148
Determining
Set and Drift
Step 5 – Determine
the set by measuring
the bearing (180 T)

Gfix 1148
Determining
Set and Drift
Step 6 – Determine drift
60D=ST
S=1X60/48
S= 1.2 knots

Determining Course
to Steer
On November 18, 2003 we plan on leaving Thieves Bay
Marina, Mouat Point Light (L4846.5’N 12318.75’W) for
Isabella Island (L4843.75’N 12325.75’W). We will use
the current information for Swanson Channel. The chart
shows the flood direction to be 360. Using our current
prediction tables, we determine that the drift is 1 knot.
Our boat speed is 5 knots. Our course to make good is
242T. We need to gauge our speed made good and our
course to steer. Knowing the distance to travel our
estimated time of arrival can also be computed. We can
also calculate estimated positions.

Determining Course
to Steer
Step 1 – Draw and
label the course to
make good.

Determining Course
to Steer
Step2 - Draw and
label the set / drift
line

Determining Course
to Steer
Step 3 – From the end of set /
drift line scribe an arc the
length of the speed. Connect
and label.

Determining Course
to Steer
Step 4 – Measure
CMG line to scribe
mark – SMG. Label
the SMG

Determining Course
to Steer
Step 5 – Use plotter to
determine course. Label
the line

Determining Course
to Steer
Step 6 – Draw a course
/speed line from departure
(Mouat Point Light).
Label.

Passage Planning
Overall Plan
Assessment
Go / No go
Detailed Piloting Plan
More specific

Overall Plan
Safe Route
Minimum distance travelled
Crew capability and condition
Equipment availability and
dependability
Navigational hazard proximity
Navigation methods to be
used
Potential actions in case of
emergency, weather
deterioration, fog
Favourable conditions for
passage
Weather
Sea state
Timing

Detailed Piloting Plan
Characteristics of narrow and harbours to be
entered
Timing of departure from and and arrival at
narrows, harbours, landfalls
Proximity / availability / placement of navigational
aids
Tidal heights and tidal currents when near hazards
or shoreline
Weather conditions that might make navigation
hazardous in specific areas

Passage Planning Example
Nanaimo Harbour to Clam Bay
Via Dodd Narrows
July 16, 2021

Passage Plan

In Conclusion
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