how to plot ocean course

by Prof. Lemuel Wintheiser 8 min read

How to plot a course to steer on a nautical chart Draw your ground track (COG)from start point (A) through and beyond your end point (B). Measure the distance of your ground track from A to B using your dividers, measure this against the scale on your chart to determine the distance.

How to plot a course on a chart:
  1. Draw a line from point A to B - using parallel rules, from starting mark to next mark.
  2. Check the line for safety - if not, move end mark until you get a safe leg.
  3. Measure and mark the heading - transfer the leg to compass.
  4. Measure and mark the distance - measure the legs.

Full Answer

How do you plot a map course?

0:022:49How to plot a course with map and compass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first I want to make sure my map is oriented to true north to north here is at three four fiveMoreSo first I want to make sure my map is oriented to true north to north here is at three four five degrees. So I just make sure that when I run my compass along here I'm still at three four five.

How do you plot a course to steer on a chart?

The course to steer formula: How to plot a course to steer on a nautical chartDraw your ground track from start point (A) through and beyond your end point (B).Measure the distance of your ground track from A to B using your dividers, measure this against the scale on your chart to determine the distance.More items...

How do I know what course to steer?

One method requires you to divide 60 by your boat speed, and then multiply this by the rate of tide in order to calculate a course to steer.

How do you plot your position?

0:141:25Plot Simple Position - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBegin by finding the latitude coordinate in the scale at the side of your chart. And mark lightlyMoreBegin by finding the latitude coordinate in the scale at the side of your chart. And mark lightly take the parallel rule and after placing one side on a fixed latitude line on the chart.

What does it mean to plot a course?

If you 'plot a strategy' or 'plot a course of action' it means you are carefully planning ahead for the action, you intend to take. You will hear these phrases use more often in professional contexts.

How do you calculate magnetic course to steer?

4:479:22Course to Steer Per Standard Magnetic Compass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThree one three plus nine gives us three two - three - two would be what the true direction is basedMoreThree one three plus nine gives us three two - three - two would be what the true direction is based on magnetic north.

How do you find course and distance made good with current?

When finding the course made good, when the course steered is given, the current is laid off at the end (the DR POSITION). When finding the course to steer, when the course made good is given, the current is laid off at the beginning (the OBSERVED POSITION).

How do you calculate set and drift?

This can be calculated by using the formula Speed = Distance / Time. Once an advance position has been plotted, then set and drift can be factored in. If there is a known set and drift, then the corrections can be applied to the Dead Reckoning position to then get an Estimated Position on a chart.

Do you add or subtract leeway?

3. Calculate the compass course you need to steer to offset leeway. If on port tack, subtract the leeway angle; if on starboard tack, add the leeway angle. Check your leeway angle every so often in case it changes.

How do you use marine charts?

Read the chart numbers to figure out the water's lowest depth. The black numbers printed on the chart represent water depth. Each number indicates the "mean lower low water" (MLLW) in an area. This is the average water depth at low tide, so most of the time the water is deeper than what you see on a chart.

How do you find ocean coordinates?

On your computer, open Google Earth. Search for a place. On the right is a Knowledge Card that shares information about the place. In the box that appears, find the longitude and latitude coordinates.

What are the basics of navigation?

Basic NavigationLongitude and Latitude. To be able to describe your position anywhere in the world, you can use Latitude and Longitude. ... Speed & Distance. 1 Nautical Mile = 1852 metres. ... Time. When working out time, it is best to use the 24 hour clock. ... Steering a Course. ... Variation. ... Deviation. ... Relative Bearings. ... Transit Bearing.More items...•

Navigation Basics

  • A nautical chart is like a road map. It shows you the expected lay of the land and gives references for finding your way to somewhere when don't know the path. On land you've got roads, which limit where you can drive and how much trouble you can get into. If you're on Interstate 95 and you know the next exit number, you're good for figuring out where you are and how to get where you'r…
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Reading A Chart

  • This article teaches reading paper charts, since paper charts are the basis of navigation for chart plotters and electronic charts. There are variations in how electronic charts may display information, especially vector charts, but once you know paper charts e-charts are easy. We’ll take you through each part of the chart, explaining the key information needed for basic navigation. R…
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Using A Chart - Plotting A Course

  • Plotting a course from one place to another isn't complex, it's a matter of breaking the trip down to segments, or legs, each with a known course and distance and safe to navigate. When you string a series of legs between waypointsaround known hazards and land masses to reach your destination, you've plotted a course. To do this exercise, you will ...
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Dead Reckoning - Pulling It All Together

  • Now that you can read a chart and plot a course, it's time to put this knowledge to work. Before chart plotters and the GPS, sailors navigated by dead reckoning. When old-time sailors used a sextant to get a position, they could only use it to calculate their latitude. We cannot derive longitude with celestial navigation, and few sailors knew the math to make it work, anyway. Dea…
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Master Chart Navigation with One Course

  • When you're ready to master chart navigation, I recommend you check out the Coastal Navigation courseat our partner NauticEd. It is quite excellent. They cover chart navigation in-depth and will guide you through multiple quality exercises to make sure you really practice your new skills. It is really affordable as well. You'll leave Coastal Navigation Clinic with an understanding of: 1. The …
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