Suggested prerequisites: Pleasure Craft Operator Card ‘PCOC’, Basic Navigation and Boat Handling, and VHF Marine Radio.

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.