This seminar course is intended for students with limited experience with modern marine navigation tools including Marine Chart Plotters, GPS systems, and electronic charts. The seminar course will:

Introduce the Global Positioning System, how it works and its uses.
Introduce traditional marine coastal navigation in the Outer Banks using classical navigation methods including paper charts and plotting tools. We will then transition to electronic navigation software and electronic charts using the same methods. We will introduce the OpenCPN electronic navigation software for your Mac OS or Windows based PC for area familiarization, shore side voyage planning, and development of waypoints and routes.
We will plan a realistic voyage in the Albemarle and Roanoke Sounds stressing key navigation concepts, potential hazards, and safety measures. We will demonstrate transferring the voyage routes created during the planning process to the actual Chart Plotter equipment.
Use actual Chart Plotter equipment for familiarisation with major features, software capabilities, and interfaces to other marine equipment. Because there are many Chart Plotters on the market and installed in boats, this course is not intended to teach you details on Chart Plotter operation but rather familiarize you with the key features and capabilities common to all modern Chart Plotters. With this knowledge you will be able to confidently master the operation of the Chart Plotter in your boat.

(Our course uses a Lowrance Chart Plotter provided by West Marine in Nags Head.. Students may want to bring the User Guide or Owner’s Manual to their chart plotter.)

Introduction to Marine Navigation Using GPS and Chart Plotters