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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.

 

Minimum time (hours)  

1.  The earth and the celestial sphere

  • Definition of observer's zenith and position of a heavenly body in terms of latitude, longitude, GHA and declination

  • Right angle relationships, latitude and co-lat, declination and polar distance

  • Relationship between GHA, longitude and LHA

  • Tabulation of declination in nautical almanac

  • Rate of increase of hour angle with time

2

 

 

 

2.  The PZX triangle

  • The tabulated components of the triangle, LHA, co-lat and polar distance

  • The calculable components, zenith distance and azimuth

  • Relationship between zenith distance and altitude

  • Introduction to the tabular method of solution in the Air Navigation Tables and the basic sight form

  • Use of calculators for the solution of the PZX triangle

 

3  

3.  The sextant

  • Practical guide to the use and care of a sextant at sea

  • Conversion of sextant altitude to true altitude

  • Application of dip, index error and refraction

  • Correction of side error, perpendicularity, index error and collimation error

2  

4.  Measurement of time

  • Definition of, and relationship between, UT, LMT, standard time and zone time

  • Rating of chronometers and watches

2  

5.  Meridian altitudes

  • Forecasting time of meridian altitude

  • Reduction of meridian altitude sights

2  

6.  Sun, star and other sights

  • Reduction and plotting of sun sights using Air Navigation Tables

  • Awareness of use of calculator for sight reduction

  • The plotting of a sun-run-sun meridian altitude

  • Awareness of the reduction and plotting of sights obtained from stars, moon and planets

5  

7.  Compass checking

  • Use of amplitude and azimuth tables systems and/or calculator

 

1  

8.  Satellite Navigation Systems

  • Principles and limitations of use of all systems

 

2  

9.  Great circle sailing

  • Comparison of rhumb lines and great circles

  • Vertices and composite tracks

  • The computation of a series of rhumb lines approximating to a great circle by use of gnomonic and Mercator projections

 

1  

10. Meteorology

  • General pressure distribution and prevailing winds over the oceans of the world

  • Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence and forecasting by observation

 

8  

11. Passage planning

  • Publications available to assist with planning of long passages (routeing charts, ocean passages of the world and other publications)

  • Preparation for ocean passage including survival equipment, victualling, water and fuel management, chafe protection, spares and maintenance

7  

12. Passage making

  • Navigational routine

  • Watchkeeping

  • Crew management

 

3  

13. Communications

  • Satellite and terrestrial systems

  • Weather information

 

2  

Phone 9am - 6pm, 7 days a week

01489 575511

for friendly, helpful advice