Practice Tests | Basic Coastal Navigation

Whether you plan to use modern electronics or traditional navigation techniques, there is a core set of knowledge and skills that will help make you a safe and prudent navigator.

This course covers all the requirements defined in Sail Canada’s Basic Coastal Navigation standard. Once you pass the official exam, you will be certified according to this standard, which is a prerequisite for Intermediate (or bareboat) Cruising. You will also be prepared to learn more in-depth knowledge and skills in Intermediate Coastal Navigation.

This course tests you on the fundamentals of navigation, how to read a chart, and how to plot a course.

• Publications to be carried on board

• Common Aids to Navigation

• Buoys, including Cardinal Buoys

• Day Marks

• Use of a Leading Light or Range Light

• Using the Scale in the Header Block of a chart

• Basic chart symbols and abbreviations from Chart No 1

• Factors to be considered in a Pilotage Plan

• Anchor depth in tidal waters

• Extending the Variation on the Compass Rose on a chart to current date

• Causes of compass deviation

• Using Current and Tide Tables

• Using Tidal Diamonds

• Using Secondary Tidal information

• Basic GPS concepts

• Plot a course and determine ETA given a departure point, time, and destination

• Plotting a 3 bearing fix

• Plotting Waypoints

• Plotting Danger Bearings

IMPORTANT!!!

Required: This course uses 2 different charts for questions which will be required in order to complete several questions.

• Canadian Chart CHS 3463, Strait of Georgia, Southern Portion

• Canadian Chart CHS 9997, Cape Hurd to Lonely Island

  
  

These are available at many CHS locations in Canada, USA, UK, and Japan. Search online for Purchase charts for navigation - Canadian Hydrographic Service. There you will be able to find a source near you or one that can ship the charts to you.