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How to Navigate with a Traditional Nautical Chart

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 115 ratings
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Christopher D. Nolan

In this course, you will learn the basics of how nautical charts are made to represent a portion of the Earth's surface, as well as how to use nautical tools to help you navigate on a chart.  You'll learn how to plot your position with latitude and longitude, or with bearings and radar ranges to objects.  Finally, you'll begin to understand compasses and magnetism and how they can affect your journey at sea.

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What's inside

Syllabus

At the end of this module, you will be ready to get started learning about Nautical Chart Navigation!

This is a short welcome video to the course.

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This video describes projections of Nautical Charts, as well as an overview of how to use Nautical Charts.

This video describes how to use parallel plotters to measure bearings on a nautical chart.

This video describes how to use dividers to measure distance and range on a nautical chart.

This video shows you how to plot GPS coordinates of latitude and longitude on a nautical chart.

This video shows you how to plot your position on a nautical chart using bearings and radar ranges to an object.

This is a more academic lecture describing how compasses and magnetism can affect your use of a nautical chart.  Consider this lecture optional for anyone interested in that topic.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the fundamentals of nautical chart navigation, which are essential for safe and effective seafaring
Explores the use of traditional tools like dividers and parallel plotters, offering a hands-on approach to navigation
Covers plotting positions using both GPS coordinates and visual bearings, which are complementary skills for modern navigation
Examines the effects of magnetism on compasses, which is crucial for understanding potential errors in navigation

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Reviews summary

Learn nautical chart navigation basics

According to students, this course provides a solid introduction to navigating with traditional nautical charts. Learners highlight the clear and concise video lectures that cover fundamental topics like chart projections, plotting tools, and position fixing using GPS coordinates and bearings. Many find the course highly practical, focusing on the essential skills needed for basic chart work. While the content on compasses and magnetism is noted as more academic and optional, students generally feel the course effectively covers the core skills outlined in the syllabus, making it a great starting point for beginners in navigation.
Lecture on compasses and magnetism is optional.
"The section on compasses and magnetism was a bit more theoretical, but it was clearly marked as optional."
"I skipped the magnetism lecture as it wasn't essential for basic plotting, which was helpful."
"The note that the magnetism video is optional was useful; I focused on the practical modules first."
Excellent entry point for novices.
"This course is perfect for anyone starting out with nautical charts. It doesn't assume prior knowledge."
"As a complete beginner, I found this course very accessible and easy to get started with."
"It gave me the foundational knowledge I needed before moving on to more advanced topics."
Emphasis on hands-on chart plotting skills.
"The course focuses heavily on the practical aspects of plotting positions and using tools, which is exactly what I needed."
"I appreciated learning how to actually plot GPS coordinates and bearings directly onto the chart."
"It taught me the essential, practical skills for basic navigation on a paper chart."
Concise, easy-to-follow videos cover basics.
"The videos are very clear and concise, making it easy to follow along and understand the basic concepts of chart navigation."
"I found the video lessons to be well-produced and straightforward, explaining how to use plotters and dividers effectively."
"Each video module broke down the topics into manageable chunks. Excellent for someone new to charts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Navigate with a Traditional Nautical Chart with these activities:
Review Basic Trigonometry
Reviewing basic trigonometry will help you understand how bearings and distances are calculated on nautical charts, especially when plotting positions using visual bearings.
Browse courses on Trigonometry
Show steps
  • Review trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent).
  • Practice solving right triangles.
  • Understand angle conversions (degrees, minutes, seconds).
Read 'Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations'
Familiarizing yourself with chart symbols and abbreviations will greatly enhance your ability to interpret nautical charts accurately and efficiently.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations'.
  • Review the symbols and abbreviations related to navigation.
  • Use the guide as a reference when working with nautical charts.
Practice Plotting GPS Coordinates
Practicing plotting GPS coordinates on practice charts will reinforce your ability to accurately determine your position, a fundamental skill for nautical navigation.
Show steps
  • Obtain several practice nautical charts.
  • Find GPS coordinates online or create your own.
  • Plot the coordinates on the charts using plotting tools.
  • Verify your accuracy with a known location.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Read 'The Complete Coastal Navigator'
Reading this book will provide a broader and deeper understanding of coastal navigation, complementing the course material with real-world examples and advanced techniques.
View Navigation Workbook 1210 Tr: For Power-Driven... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Coastal Navigator'.
  • Read the chapters related to chart navigation and plotting.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Practice the examples and exercises in the book.
Create a Chart Navigation Guide
Creating a guide will solidify your understanding of chart navigation principles and allow you to explain the concepts in your own words, improving retention.
Show steps
  • Outline the key concepts of chart navigation.
  • Write clear and concise explanations for each concept.
  • Include diagrams and examples to illustrate the concepts.
  • Share your guide with others and solicit feedback.
Plan a Hypothetical Voyage
Planning a hypothetical voyage will allow you to apply your knowledge of chart navigation in a practical scenario, reinforcing your understanding of the concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose a starting point and destination on a nautical chart.
  • Plot a course using chart navigation techniques.
  • Calculate distances, bearings, and estimated time of arrival.
  • Identify potential hazards and navigational aids along the route.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Navigate with a Traditional Nautical Chart will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Ferry Captain
Ferry Captains are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of ferry vessels, transporting passengers and vehicles across waterways. Navigation is a core skill for Ferry Captains. This course may be useful for Ferry Captains. The course provides foundational knowledge on how nautical charts are made and employed for navigation. You will learn to plot positions using latitude and longitude, utilize navigational tools, and understand the impact of magnetism on compasses. The modules on parallel plotters, dividers, GPS, and radar ranges would be especially beneficial to Ferry Captains.
See salaries and explore the career path for Ferry Captain
Sailor
Sailors operate and maintain sailing vessels, whether for recreation, racing, or transportation. For those wishing to become Sailors, this course may be useful. This is because they will learn the basics of how nautical charts are made to represent a portion of the Earth's surface, as well as how to use nautical tools to help you navigate on a chart. Finally, they will begin to understand compasses and magnetism and how they can affect their journey at sea.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sailor
Marine Navigator
A career as a Marine Navigator involves planning and directing the route of a ship, ensuring safe and efficient passage. This course may be useful for those aspiring to be Marine Navigators. The course provides foundational knowledge on how nautical charts are made and employed for navigation, and skills that are directly applicable to this role. You will learn to plot positions using latitude and longitude, utilize navigational tools, and understand the impact of magnetism on compasses. The module that teaches plotting positions using GPS coordinates, visual bearings, and radar ranges would be especially beneficial.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marine Navigator
Barge Operator
Barge Operators are responsible for navigating and operating barges, typically along inland waterways or coastal areas. A firm understanding of nautical charts and navigation is vital for this role. This course provides foundational knowledge on how nautical charts are made and employed for navigation. You will learn to plot positions using latitude and longitude, utilize navigational tools, and understand the impact of magnetism on compasses. The module that teaches plotting positions using GPS coordinates may be especially beneficial.
See salaries and explore the career path for Barge Operator
Yacht Captain
Yacht Captains are responsible for the safe operation and management of yachts. This role requires a deep understanding of navigation, seamanship, and vessel maintenance. This course introduces the concepts of nautical charts, how they are created, and how they can be used for navigation. This overview of the fundamentals of nautical navigation helps build a base for becoming Yacht Captain, and could improve overall job performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Yacht Captain
Ferry Operator
Ferry Operators are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of ferry boats. This course may be useful for Ferry Operators because it will help them understand how to use nautical charts and plot positions using GPS. The course's lessons on plotting positions using GPS coordinates and visual bearings will be very helpful in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Ferry Operator
Commercial Fisherman
Commercial Fishermen catch and harvest fish and other seafood for commercial purposes. This course may be useful for Commercial Fishermen. This is because the ability to navigate using nautical charts is essential for locating fishing grounds and returning safely to port. The course's modules on plotting positions by GPS coordinates or by bearings and radar ranges to other objects would be especially useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Fisherman
Coast Guard Officer
A Coast Guard Officer is responsible for enforcing maritime laws, ensuring safety, and protecting the environment. This course may be useful for Coast Guard Officers to help them learn how to use nautical charts and plot positions using GPS. The course's lessons on plotting positions using GPS coordinates and visual bearings will be very helpful in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Coast Guard Officer
Search and Rescue Responder
Search and Rescue Responders locate and assist people in distress, often in challenging environments. This course may be useful to Search and Rescue Responders as they may have to navigate in maritime regions. This course will give insight into how to use nautical charts and tools to plot positions. The course's lessons on plotting positions using GPS coordinates and visual bearings will be very helpful in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Search and Rescue Responder
Harbor Master
A Harbor Master manages the operations within a harbor or port, ensuring safety and efficiency. For those wishing to become a Harbor Master, this course may be helpful. This course introduces nautical charts, the use of tools for navigation, and the impact of magnetism on compasses; all of this is critical for the safe management of vessels within a harbor. A module that teaches plotting positions by GPS coordinates or radar ranges could be especially helpful to a Harbor Master.
See salaries and explore the career path for Harbor Master
Maritime Surveyor
Maritime Surveyors inspect and assess ships, harbors, and other maritime structures, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. For those wishing to become Maritime Surveyors, this course may prove useful. A key aspect of this role involves understanding nautical charts and navigational techniques. This course introduces these charts, how they represent the Earth's surface, and how to use tools to navigate using them. The module on compasses and magnetism could also aid those who wish to become Maritime Serveyors, as may the module on using chart plotting tools.
See salaries and explore the career path for Maritime Surveyor
Naval Architect
Naval Architects design and oversee the construction and repair of ships and other marine vessels. While not directly related to design, understanding navigation principles is beneficial. This course introduces the concepts of nautical charts, how they are created, and how they can be used for navigation. This helps build context for becoming a Naval Architect. The course provides useful background to the principles behind ship navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Naval Architect
Oceanographer
Oceanographers study the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the ocean. While this role typically requires advanced study, a background in nautical navigation can be beneficial. This course introduces the concepts of nautical charts, how they are made, and how they can be used to represent the earth for the purposes of navigation. This overview of the fundamentals of nautical navigation helps build context for the work of an Oceanographer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer
Marine Engineer
Marine Engineers design, develop, and maintain the mechanical systems of ships and other marine vessels. This course may be useful for Marine Engineers, as it introduces nautical charts, how they are made, and how they can be used to represent the earth for the purposes of navigation. This overview of the fundamentals of nautical navigation helps build context for the work of a Marine Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marine Engineer
Cartographer
Cartographers design and create maps and charts. This course introduces the field of nautical charts and their applications for navigation. For those wishing to become Cartographers, this course may be of interest because it introduces the application of nautical charts to navigation. The course provides an overview of the projections of nautical charts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cartographer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Navigate with a Traditional Nautical Chart.
Cover image
Navigation Workbook 1210 Tr: For Power-Driven and...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of coastal navigation techniques, including chart reading, plotting, and electronic navigation. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the practical applications of nautical charts. The book is commonly used by both recreational boaters and professional mariners.
Navigation Workbook 1210 Tr: For Power-Driven and...
Paperback
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
2 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Christopher D. Nolan
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the fundamentals of nautical chart navigation, which are essential for safe and effective seafaring
Explores the use of traditional tools like dividers and parallel plotters, offering a hands-on approach to navigation
Covers plotting positions using both GPS coordinates and visual bearings, which are complementary skills for modern navigation
Examines the effects of magnetism on compasses, which is crucial for understanding potential errors in navigation
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