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    Homework 1

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    Ruth DV
    The document describes several basic navigational tools used at sea: 1) A magnetic compass orients sailors to magnetic north and south using a magnetized needle. 2) Nautical charts depict shorelines, depths, hazards and aids to navigation to safely guide ships. 3) A sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine a ship's position through celestial navigation.

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    Homework 1

    Uploaded by

    Ruth DV
    41 views4 pages
    The document describes several basic navigational tools used at sea: 1) A magnetic compass orients sailors to magnetic north and south using a magnetized needle. 2) Nautical charts depict shorelines, depths, hazards and aids to navigation to safely guide ships. 3) A sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine a ship's position through celestial navigation.

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    The document describes several basic navigational tools used at sea: 1) A magnetic compass orients sailors to magnetic north and south using a magnetized needle. 2) Nautical charts depict shorelines, depths, hazards and aids to navigation to safely guide ships. 3) A sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine a ship's position through celestial navigation.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    41 views4 pages

    Homework 1

    Uploaded by

    Ruth DV
    The document describes several basic navigational tools used at sea: 1) A magnetic compass orients sailors to magnetic north and south using a magnetized needle. 2) Nautical charts depict shorelines, depths, hazards and aids to navigation to safely guide ships. 3) A sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine a ship's position through celestial navigation.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 4

    BASIC NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS

    1. Magnetic Compass (Mariners Compass)

    - Magnetic compasses are the most


    well-known type of compass. They
    have become so popular that the
    term “compass” almost always
    refers a magnetic compass.  While
    the design and construction of this
    type of compass has
    changed significantly over the
    centuries, the concept of how it
    works has remained the same.
    Magnetic compasses consist of a
    magnetized needle that is allowed
    to rotate so it lines up with the Earth's magnetic field. The ends point
    to what are known as magnetic north and magnetic south.

    2. Nautical Chart

    - A nautical chart is one of


    the most fundamental tools
    available to the mariner. It
    is a map that depicts the
    configuration of the
    shoreline and seafloor. It
    provides water depths,
    locations of dangers to
    navigation, locations and
    characteristics of aids to
    navigation, anchorages, and
    other features. It is
    essential for safe
    navigation. Mariners use charts to plan voyages and navigate ships
    safely and economically. Federal regulations require most commercial
    vessels to carry nautical charts while they transit U.S. waters.
    3. Marine Sextant

    - The sextant is an instrument used to measure angles. Mainly used at


    sea, the tool is so named because
    its arc is one-sixth of a circle – 60
    degrees. It adheres to the
    principle of double reflection
    hence it can measure angles up
    to 120 degrees. Practically
    speaking, the arc of the sextant
    is a little over 60 degrees and
    therefore the total angle
    measurable is about 130 degrees.
    It is an essential tool for celestial
    navigation and is used to measure the angle between the horizon and
    a visible object (or two objects) at sea.

    4. Almanac

    - Nautical Almanac is a type of navigation


    aid, which describes the position of celestial
    bodies to assist navigators at sea to
    determine their ship’s position using
    celestial navigation. It contains
    astronomical data for the entire year which
    assists the navigator in making
    astronomical calculations on ship. Reading
    the bullet points will be easier if one has the
    almanac open in front for easy reference. It
    uses the time position as per the GMT
    (Greenwich Meridian Time) along with the
    position of the earth to calculate and predict
    the sea-routes. The position of the sun, the moon, the other planets
    and 57 main stars are also used along with the GMT and the earth’s
    position to calculate the potential navigational routes.
    5. Chronometer

    - Chronometer, a timepiece that is


    exceptionally accurate. Traditionally, the
    term refers to the marine chronometer, a
    rugged mechanical instrument used at
    sea to keep time for navigational
    purposes. By measuring the position of a
    celestial body (with a device called a
    sextant), and by knowing the exact time of
    the measurement, a navigator can
    determine a ship's longitude from
    published tables.

    6. Lighthouse

    - Lighthouse is a structure,
    usually with a tower, built
    onshore or on the seabed to
    serve as an aid to maritime
    coastal navigation, warning
    mariners of hazards, establishing
    their position, and guiding them
    to their destinations. From the
    sea a lighthouse may be
    identified by the distinctive
    shape or colour of its structure,
    by the colour or flash pattern of
    its light, or by the coded pattern of its radio signal. The development
    of electronic navigation systems has had a great effect on the role of
    lighthouses.

    7. Buoys

    - A buoy is a type of an object that floats in water


    and is used in the middle of the seas as locators or
    as warning points for the ships. Buoys are
    generally bright (fluorescent) in colour. Mooring
    buoys are a type of buoy, to which, ships can be
    moored in the deep oceanic areas. A mooring buoy weighs more than
    the general type of buoys.

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