Cruise Planning and Cruising Course

Chapter 5Electronics and Navigation

United States Power Squadrons ®

Instructors and Students Please Note:Post-release corrections, notes, and updates are posted at:http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/cp/main.htmPlease check the site in order to have the best available materials.

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Summary

Electronics Traditional Piloting and

Charting• Charts and Publications

Special Navigation• Harbors• Inlets• Bridges• Dams and locks

Electronics

Many electronics aids are available For dependable performance, redundancy

is the key (both electronic and tranditional)

New developments facilitate manual steps in the navigation process

Not a subsitute Complementary

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Electronics

Depth sounder/SONAR• Instant view of water depth• Useful for shallow channels, anchoring, and

navigation

Speed/Knotmeter• Provides speed through water reading• In comparison with speed over ground, can help

determine wind and current effects

Global Positioning System (GPS)• Provides essential locational information• Can serve as a knotmeter providing speed over

ground

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GPS Unit

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Electronics

Computer assisted navigation• Computer use onboard• Protection necessary unless waterproof and shock

resistant

Chartplotter• Combines GPS and charts in an electronic form• Realtime view on chart

Radar• Provides view of other boats as well as fixed objects• Provides view of precipitation and severe weather

information• Some objects and boats do not give a return: lookout is

still vital

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Chartplotter

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Courtesy of Standard Horizon

Electronics

Automated Identification System (AIS)• Provides information on ships and vessels in

your area• Aids communications

Integrated Systems• Overlaying information

Radar on chartplotter GPS connected to VHF, chartplotter, etc.

New Technologies• Thermal night vision• Forward looking sonar

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Integrated System

Slide 9

Courtesy of Furuno

Traditional Piloting and Charting

Navigation on inland and coastal water is challenging

Charts, and use of them, is essential• NOAA website offers up-to-date charts• Coast Pilots• Reed’s Nautical Almanac• Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book

Binoculars Compass

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Essential Tools

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Special Navigation

Harbors• Commercial traffic can be hazardous to the

recreational boater• Research large harbors before visiting.• If visiting, ensure you understand areas that

are open and allowed for anchoring or tying to the quay.

Inlets and overfalls• Meeting currents create rough and dangerous

surf• If leaving a coastal harbor, ensure you know

tides and monitor wind direction

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Special Navigation

Bridges• Drawbridges (Bascule bridge on charts).• Check schedule for drawbridge before

encountering• Bridge tender monitors channel 13.• Research charts and other cruising guides for

bridge heights along your route.

Dams and locks• Locks used to bypass dams and weirs.• Lockmaster is in charge.• Priority order for vessels; recreational vessels

have the lowest priority for entry into locks.

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Bridges

Low bridges usuallyhave guages to indicate

clearance

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Locks

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Deep Creek Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal, Virginia. Courtesy: US Army/Jerry Rogers

Deep Creek Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal, VirginiaCourtesy of the US Army/Jerry Rogers

Deep Creek Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal, Virginia. Courtesy: US Army/Jerry Rogers

Logbook

Maintain a logbook on boat Record events Provides a record of boat systems

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