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2026-01-08
This weekly online course is composed of twelve Thursday evenings. A schedule of topics is followed for each session. "Online" means that the class is conducted on-line using a web conferencing system, such as MS Teams or Zoom. The students "attend" weekly meetings via web conference. Each class is 90 to 120 minutes long depending on topics to be covered that day. Most class material is available online. A navigational chart and other forms will be mailed directly to the student.
Students "come to class" having already read the chapter(s) and reviewed other resources. Classes will start with a review of last week's activities, followed by Q and A, and the session will progress with short lectures and demonstrations.
At the start of the course, students will be mailed a package of study materials, including the hardcopy textbook.
The two-part final exam consists of a cruise and a written exam, both of which will be in "take-home" format.
Dates: 2026 January 8 through March 26
Time: 1800 - 2000 hours (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM) Mountain Standard Time
Instructor: David Hill dch99992021@gmail.com
Register on the CanBoat national website: https://www.canboat.ca/course-calendar/?cps_show_course_details_id=220&cps_show_class_id=8825
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Table of Contents
Suggested prerequisite: Boat Handling
Increase your confidence by focusing on the manual navigation technique called Dead Reckoning followed by logbook protocols.
This is followed by a review of fixed and floating aids and more detailed navigational techniques.
Successive chapters increase your knowledge of environmental factors in the marine environment including tides & currents, weather, and wind & waves.
Further chapters are devoted to heavy weather procedures in adverse conditions, such as boat handling skills, emergencies, and coordinating rescue efforts with the Coast Guard.
Finally, you must demonstrate your marlinspike proficiency in tying various knots and splices.
Exercises through the course include a cruise and extensive quizzes.
The final exam includes a charting/cruise exercise testing your understanding of all topics covered in the course.
Table of Contents
- Dead Reckoning and the Log
- Marlinespike
- Seamanship
- Magnetic Compass
- Fixed and Floating Aids to Navigation
- Bearings and Fixes
- Relative Bearings
- Distance of an Object by Two Relative Bearings
- Collision Regulations
- Tides
- Weather
- Winds, Waves and Current
- Seamanship Skills for Adverse Weather
- Buoyancy and Stability
- Medical Emergencies
- Emergencies at Sea
- Anchors and Anchoring