New England Sailing Center

ASA courses are taught only at ASA schools.   Follow along with an ASA 105 Coastal Navigation lecture.  You will need navigation tools and a copy of the training chart 1210 TR and a copy of the current edition of Eldridge Tide and Pilot .  This work is based on lecture notes of the author an ASA Instructor Evaluator.  This study guide is designed to help prepare students for the class work and ASA 105 test. Students are encouraged to gain experience underway as well as in the classroom.   The author recommends that students own several books in addition to the prescribed teaching materials.  The first book is essential to the course.  The others are a logical addition to any navigator's bookshelf.     1. Eldridge  Tide and Pilot 2022 .  This book is essential for cruising the US East Coast and New England in particular.  It contains hourly current vector charts and coastal piloting tips not easily found elsewhere. ...

  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