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YACHTMASTER OCEAN
SHOREBASED COURSE SYLLABUS
(reproduced from the RYA Cruising
Scheme Syllabus and
Logbook (G15/03) with the kind permission of the RYA)
The Course
This is a course in
astro-navigation and worldwide meteorology which also reveals the
mysteries of the sextant. It assumes a knowledge of all
subjects covered in the other shorebased courses.
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Minimum time (hours) |
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1. The earth and the celestial
sphere
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Definition of observer's zenith and position of a
heavenly body in terms of latitude, longitude, GHA and declination
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Right angle relationships, latitude and co-lat,
declination and polar distance
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Relationship between GHA, longitude and LHA
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Tabulation of declination in nautical almanac
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Rate of increase of hour angle with time
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2
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2. The PZX triangle
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The tabulated components of the triangle, LHA,
co-lat and polar distance
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The calculable components, zenith distance and
azimuth
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Relationship between zenith distance and altitude
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Introduction to the tabular method of solution in
the Air Navigation Tables and the basic sight form
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Use of calculators for the solution of the PZX
triangle
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3 |
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3. The sextant
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Practical guide to the use and care of a sextant
at sea
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Conversion of sextant altitude to true altitude
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Application of dip, index error and refraction
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Correction of side error, perpendicularity, index
error and collimation error
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2 |
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4. Measurement of time
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Definition of, and relationship between, UT, LMT,
standard time and zone time
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Rating of chronometers and watches
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2 |
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5. Meridian altitudes
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2 |
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6. Sun, star and other sights
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Reduction and plotting of sun sights using Air
Navigation Tables
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Awareness of use of calculator for sight
reduction
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The plotting of a sun-run-sun meridian altitude
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Awareness of the reduction and plotting of sights
obtained from stars, moon and planets
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5 |
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7. Compass checking
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1 |
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8. Satellite Navigation Systems
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2 |
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9. Great circle sailing
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Comparison of rhumb lines and great circles
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Vertices and composite tracks
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The computation of a series of rhumb lines
approximating to a great circle by use of gnomonic and Mercator
projections
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1 |
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10. Meteorology
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General pressure distribution and prevailing
winds over the oceans of the world
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Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence
and forecasting by observation
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8 |
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11. Passage planning
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Publications available to assist with planning of
long passages (routeing charts, ocean passages of the world and
other publications)
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Preparation for ocean passage including survival
equipment, victualling, water and fuel management, chafe protection,
spares and maintenance
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7 |
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12. Passage making
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Navigational routine
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Watchkeeping
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Crew management
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3 |
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13. Communications
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2 |
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Phone 9am - 6pm, 7 days
a week
01489 575511
for friendly, helpful
advice
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