New England Sailing Center

  1.   Explain the chart symbols and conventions on U.S. nautical charts in accordance with the terminology of Chart #1. Charts are comprehensive presentations of knowledge required by maritime navigators.  One must be able to intemperate the symbols.   Chart One is the most thorough. Chart One shows chart symbols and explains the meaning of each.  An abbreviated copy is printed on the back of Chart 1210Tr.  We focus on USA symbols which are also common to most maritime charts.  Chart One may be purchased from maritime publishers and/or downloaded to a computer or smart phone.  A link to one source follows. https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/publications/docs/us-chart-1/ChartNo1.pdf Nigel Calder's book:  How to Read a Nautical Chart  is an excellent reference as it provides additional commentary about symbols and their relevance and limitations. Chart One, front and back Nigel Calder's book cover

  2. Identify a source of official U.S. Coast Guard navigation publications. Companies such as Landfall Navigation, Paradise Cay Publications, International Marine, and OceanGrafix supply many printed US Government authorized maritime publications.  These include Light Lists, Tide Tables, NOAA charts, and Coast Pilots.  Links follow. https://www.mhprofessional.com/international-marine https://www.landfallnavigation.com/navigation/navigation-books-guides.html https://www.paracay.com/nautical-charts-and-books https://www.amnautical.com/pages/u-s-government-publications https://www.oceangrafix.com/products/coast-pilot https://www.oceangrafix.com/products/light-list https://www.oceangrafix.com/products/tide-tables Unofficial resources are cruising guides and  Eldridge Tide and Pilot   which has very detailed information about the US East Coast.  The book is updated each year.

  3. List the publications required for prudent navigation in the local area including: Large scale charts of the area and Chart #1 https://charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats 4 20.PDF (uscgboating.org) USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook https://www.paracay.com/navigation-rules-and-regulations-handbook/ State small vessel regulations, Rhode Island's for example rhodeisland-handbook-entire.pdf (kalkomey.com) Local rules and regulations, if applicable Harbormaster office Local cruising guides Local marine store or online Tide and current tables, (paper or electronic) Eldridge Tide and Pilot available local marine stores Paradise Cay Publishing  List of lights, buoys, and fog signals Eldridge Tide and Pilot available local marine stores Paradise Cay Publishing  Resources are available from a variety of sources.  We offer sample selections above.  Old book stores often turn up out of print books that ...

  4. Describe the instruments required for prudent navigation in the local area including the following minimum requirements: Steering compass and deviation table Hand bearing compass and / or pelorus Binoculars Protractor or parallel rule Depth sounder or leadline Pencil, eraser, and notebook Dividers Watch or clock Log / Knot meter Add to the list:     VHF radio.  Listening to VHF Channel 16 alerts navigators to emergencies, local hazards to navigation, and weather anomalies.  The USCG broadcasts such notices on VHF Channel 22 after announcing the alert on VHF Ch 16. VHF WX channels provide current weather information and warnings needed by the prudent navigator. Magnifying glass.  

  5. Describe the purpose and example contents of a “Notice to Mariners.” The Notice to Mariners is an official document that reports changes to aids to navigation and/or hazards to navigation.   Immediate changes are broadcast on VHF channel 22 after an alert on VHF channel 16 A link to the online Notice to Mariners pages. https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Featured-Content/Mariners/Local-Notice-to-Mariners-LNMs/ The sequence shows a 35 foot catamaran negotiating Chatham North Cut.  The channel shifts often and the skipper consulted tide tables, weather conditions, the Chatham Harbor Master and Notice to Mariners before entering. Success is planned!

  6. Explain the terms and characteristics used for lighted navigation aids. Lighted aids to navigation are necessary for night navigation.  The light colors are specific to maritime use and the lights have distinctive characteristics such as frequency of flash.  There are some fixed (not flashing) lighted aids to navigation but not many.  Sandy Hook Light at the entrance to NY Harbor is one.  Others are Hospital Point Light in Salem Harbor and nearby Marblehead Light (fixed green).  Those are the only three seen by the author. Nobska Light, Massachusetts This light can be found on chart 1210Tr near Woods Hole.  It is a classic structure with white buildings and red roofs.  The lighthouse itself is a simple tubular building surmounted by the light enclosed in the black ironwork. Dutch Island Light, Rhode Island This lighthouse is located on Dutch Island at the western side of Conanicut Island.  Its location can be found on chart 1210Tr. ...