1. NOTICE:
The information contained within this document is copyright © U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
No attempts to add, modify or delete information contained within this document shall be made. If errors are discovered, please contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s National Training Department.

2. Basic Coastal Navigation
Chapter 4
Navigator’s Tools & Instruments
Approved USCG Auxiliary - Department of Education Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

3. Navigator’s Tools
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

4. Accuracy Depends On Good Quality Tools: Good Technique
Buy the best quality you can afford.
Plated, stamped steel perish quickly in marine environment.
Good tools, good care = long life.
Good Technique
Use the right tool for the purpose.
Practice using the tool.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

5. Plotters Draw straight lines.
Measure angles with respect to longitude.
e.g. Measure directions
Many types.
Choose according to personal preference.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

6. Plotting Tools Parallel Rules Course Plotter (Compact) Three-Arm
Paraglide
Course Plotter
Course Protractor
Three-Arm
Protractor
Vecta Rose
(Compact)
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

7. More Plotting Tools Chart Protractor Triple Parallel Rules Protractor
Triangles
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

8. Dividers & Compass Dividers Drafting compass.
Measure or mark off distances on a chart.
Pointed both arms.
Drafting compass.
Used for swinging an arc.
Compass
Dividers
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

9. Watch or Clock Reliable time piece essential: 24 Hour display helpful.
Dead reckoning navigation.
Running a search pattern.
Identifying light patterns.
24 Hour display helpful.
Stopwatch a useful function.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

10. Nautical Slide Rule Used to solve problems in time - speed – distance.
If you know two variables, you can solve for the third.
Alternate: solar or battery powered calculator.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

11. Binoculars and Hand-held Compass
Locating ATONS, Landmarks
Use 7 X 50
Hand-held Compass
Visual bearings on ATONS or landmarks to establish LOP.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

12. Depth Sounder & GPS Depth sounder: GPS: Help prevent groundings.
Aid in position-finding.
GPS:
Position finding.
Advanced navigation-related computations.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

13. Sextant Classic use for celestial navigation.
Also useful for measuring horizontal and vertical angles
e.g. Distance off from vertical angle.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

14. Other Tools Electronics: Lo-Tech Stuff Optical Range Finder
Radio Direction Finder
Radar
Loran C
Optical Range Finder
Lo-Tech Stuff
Paper
Pencils
Erasers
Pencil sharpener
Magnifier
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

15. References: Nautical Chart NO. 1
Explanation of nautical chart:
Symbols
Abbreviations
Terms
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

16. References: Tide & Current Tables
Predictions of tidal events:
Tides
Tide differences
Tidal currents
Tidal current differences
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

17. References: Notices to Mariners
Updates and corrections:
Charts.
Hazards to navigation.
Available on-line.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

18. References: Computer Programs
Tide & tidal current predictions
Charts
Real-time chart plotting
Voyage planning
Vessel management
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

19. Other References Coast Pilot Light List Cruising guides
Written descriptions and navigational advice regarding waterways.
Light List
Tabular compilation of ATON locations and descriptions.
Cruising guides
Commercially produced waterway descriptions and cruising advice.
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

20. Your Most Important Tool
PREPARATION
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

21. End of Chapter 4
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Basic Coastal Navigation - Chapter 4 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.