Navigation Courses

Who this course is for:   Anyone interested in traditional navigation methods, including offshore seafarers who want a back up if their electronic navigation systems fail. 

Length of course: The course is taught over 15 hours. It can be covered over a weekend; Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning.

Objective:  To become familiar with traditional navigation methods and how to make use of them in a digital age.

Assessment: There is no exam. The course does not have external accreditation.

Prerequisites: It helps if you have some mathematical skills and know the basics of navigation at sea. 

Format of the course:   The course introduces celestial navigation methods, including use of the sextant and an outline of the traditional approach to calculations. It then proceeds to show how calculations can be simplified using easy-to-use robust software that can be used at sea, even when the vessel's electronic navigation and communications systems have failed. 

Syllabus:

• Introduction

• Basic Navigation Geometry

• Parallels of Latitude

• Meridians of Longitude and Hour Angles

• Heavenly Bodies -  the sun, moon, planets and stars. 

• The Sextant and Taking a Sight

• Offsets and Corrections

• Plotting and Intercepts

• Calculations – the Hard Way

• Calculations – the Sensible Way using stand-alone Software

Who this course is for:   Experienced and up-coming skippers.

Length of course: The course is taught over 45 hours. It can be covered as a series of one night per week sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or over three weekends.

Objective:  To reach the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

Assessment: There are three exam papers.

Prerequisites: Significant previous sailing or boating experience is expected.  Some mathematical ability would be useful.

Format of the course:   The course allows some time for revision of the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques.

Syllabus:

• Position fixing
• Course shaping and plotting
• Tidal knowledge
• Use of almanacs and admiralty publications
• Electronic position finding equipment
• Taking and interpreting forecasts
• Plotting weather systems
• Weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
• Collision regulations
• Customs and excise regulations for cruising abroadAdvanced training for more experienced skippers. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

Who this course is for: Anyone who operates a recreational craft in coastal or inland waterways.

Length of course: This course is usually held over one evening, Friday, (3.5 hrs.), one full day, Saturday, (approx. 8 hrs.) and, depending on the number of students and the rate of progress, Sunday morning as well. 

Objective: To learn how to safely navigate a boat by day and by night in coastal waters with which the participant is familiar.

Assessment: There are no exams.  Participants who demonstrate an understanding of the principles taught during the course will receive an Irish Sailing certificate.

Prerequisites: Some previous sailing or boating experience is expected.

Format of the course: Comprehensive course notes are provided in advance.  During the course candidates are led through exercises with paper charts and chartplotters.  There is a strong focus on passage planning.

Syllabus:

• Weather
• Navigation
• Passage planning
• Coastal knowledge
• Rules of the Road
• Safety

This is course is extended beyond the normal syllabus to provide hands-on experience with modern navigation electronics, including chartplotters.