Seamanship (Piloting)

Course Objectives

The Advanced Courses are only available to CPS members, and must be taken in a  certain order. Anyone who has previously passed the CPS Boating Course but is not currently a member of CPS may join Edmonton Squadron when registering for an advanced course.

This course follows naturally from Boating, extending many of those topics that were only thinly covered and adds many new concepts. A must for serious boaters who want to improve their navigation and plotting skills, as well as to develop theoretical knowledge in dealing with adverse conditions and emergencies. Topics covered include tides, currents, buoyancy and stability, hull construction and performance, navigating in a current, relative bearings leading to running fixes as well as a review of two and three bearing fixes. The student will demonstrate an ability to tie several knots and to splice three strand rope, with the results credited toward the final exam mark.

Materials Supplied

• Student Notes (text) and homework book
• Training Charts
• The student should retain the following material from the Boating Course:
  • Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide booklet
  • Canadian Coast Guard Collision Regulations (International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea, with Canadian Modifications)
  • Chart #1 - Symbols and Abbreviations used on Canadian Nautical Charts (booklet)
  • The Canadian Aids to Navigation System booklet
  • CPS Course Plotter
  • Divider, pencil and eraser

Contents

1. Dead Reckoning and the Log
• Dead Reckoning Plot
  • Taking Departure
  • The Course Line
  • DR Positions
• Navigator's Notebook
• Keeping a Log
• Definitions
2. Marlinspike Seamanship
• The Practical Component
• Lines Aboard the Boat
  • Purpose
  • Size
  • Strength
• Purchasing Tips
  • Dock Lines
  • Anchor Rode
  • Other Considerations
• Block and Tackle
• Whipping
• Knots, Hitches, and Bends
• Seizings
• Splices
  • Eye Splice
  • Short Splice
  • Long Splice
3. The Magnetic Compass
• The Earth's Magnetic Field
  • True Directions
  • The Magnetic Poles
  • Variation
• Deviation
  • Causes
  • Effect of the Boat's Magnetic Field on the Compass
• Compass Installation
• Removing Gross Deviation (Compensating the Compass)
• Determining Deviation
• The Practice Deviation Table
• Using the Deviation Table
  • When True Course is Known
  • When Compass Course is Known
  • for Values of Boat's Heading Lying Between Tabulated Values
4. Fixed Aids to Navigation
• The Canadian Aids to Navigation System
• Fixed Aids
  • Lightstations
  • Interpreting Charted Descriptions
  • Emergency Lights
  • Minor Lighted Aids
  • Sector Lights
  • Ranges
  • Daybeacons
  • Fog Signals
• Visible Range
• Government Publications - Notices to Mariners
5. Floating Aids to Navigation
• Cardinal and Lateral Buoys
• Buoy Recognition: Shape, Colour, Numbering, Lights, etc.
• Aids to Navigation Protection Regulations
• Buoys and Positioning
• New Dangers
• The CPS MAREP Hydrographic Programme
6. Bearings and Fixes
• Bearings: Lines of Position and Ranges
• Taking Bearings
• Magnetic and Compass Bearings
• Turning Bearings
• The Fix
7. Relative Bearings
• Evolution
• Stating Relative Directions
• Converting Relative Bearings
• Obtaining Relative Bearings
8. Distance of an Object by Two Relative Bearings
• Doubling the Angle on the Bow
• To Determine a Future Distance Off
• Circle of Position
• Bow and Beam Bearings
9. Weather
• Weather Forecasts
• The Weather-Makers in the Atmosphere
• Centres of Low Pressure
• Fronts
• Forecasting
10. Wind, Waves, and Current
• Wind
  • Wind Strength
  • The Beaufort Wind Scale
  • The Effects of Wind
• Waves
  • Wave Generation
  • Wave Motion
  • Breaking Waves
  • Features of Wave Behaviour
  • Swells and Waves
  • Practical Considerations
• Currents
11. Seamanship Skills for Adverse Weather
• Thunderstorms
• Squalls and Squall Lines
• Fog
• Storms
• Seamanship Skills for Heavy Weather
• MAREP (Weather) Program
12. Anchors and Anchoring
• A Brief History
• Holding Power
• Loads
• The Anchor Rode
• Anchoring Techniques
• Using Two Anchors
• Weighing Anchor
13. Tides
• Causes of Tides
• Classification of Tides
• Sources of Information
• Datum, Measurements, and Tides
• Practical Applications
14. Tidal Currents
• Causes of Tidal Currents
• Sources of Current Information
• Using Current Tables
• Practical Considerations
• Current Terms
15. Navigating in a Current
• Leeway
• Navigational Current
• Detecting a Current
• Finding Course to Steer to Offset the Effects of Current
• The DR Plot and Log
16. Buoyancy and Stability
• The Force of Gravity
• The force of Buoyancy
• Stability
• Inter-relationship of Center of Gravity and Center of Buoyancy
• The Effect of Bilge Water on Stability
• Pitching
• Retaining or Increasing Stability
• Stability and Design Alterations
17. Hull Construction and Shape
• Hull Materials, Form and Construction
• Hull Shape
18. Hull Performance
• Displacement Hulls
• Planing Hulls
• Modern Designs
• Hull Maintenance
19. Propellers and Propeller Action
• Speed and Maneuverability
• The Propeller
• Choosing the Right Propeller
• Propeller Operation
• The Propeller and Maneuverability
• Speed Curves
• Practical Considerations
20. Rudders and Steering Mechanisms
• Properties of Rudders
• Rudder Action
• Tiller and Wheel
• Loss of Steering Control
21. Emergencies
• Man Overboard
• Collision
• Running Aground
• Fire Precautions
• Fire Prevention
22. Preparedness and Enjoyment
• General
• Aspects of Crew Training
• Seasickness
• Crew Fatigue
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Injuries on deck
• First Aid Kit
• Routine In-season Maintenance
23. Introduction to Electronic Navigation
• Depth Sounders
• Radio Direction Finders
• RADAR
• LORAN
• GPS
• EPIRBs
24. Manners and Customs
• Courtesies
• Flag Rules for use on CPS Boats
• Saluting
• Dressing Ship
• Definitions
• CPS Flag