Course Overview
This course provides students with a means to navigate a vessel by position fixing using celestial bodies. The course contents include the celestial sphere and bodies, determining a vessel’s position using celestial bodies, determining compass and gyro errors, calculating sun/moon rise, sun/moon set, and twilight timings. This course also highlights the challenges in navigating in high latitude areas.
Prerequisite(s)
- Successful completion of Term 3.
Credits
10.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Solve spherical triangles.
- Perform calculations using Plane, Parallel, Mercator, and Great Circle sailings.
- Explain the solar system, and celestial bodies useful for navigation.
- Describe the celestial sphere and celestial bodies.
- Define equation of time.
- Obtain celestial information using the Nautical Almanac.
- Calculate azimuth and amplitude bearings of celestial bodies, and to determine compass error.
- Demonstrate proper use of a marine sextant.
- Calculate the latitude and position line using the meridian altitude method, Polaris observation.
- Calculate the longitude and position line by longitude by chronometer method.
- Calculate position by intercept using the Marc St. Hilaire method.
- Transfer calculated position lines to obtain vessel’s position.
- Describe the challenges faced in navigating in high latitude areas.
- Describe the various effects and special considerations to be taken when navigating in high latitude areas.
- Describe the use of celestial bodies for navigation.
Effective as of Winter 2018
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.