Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium
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The Marine Navigation is a course which covers the basics of coastal and inland navigation. This course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool while covering traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. OpenCPN, free software that runs on Windows, MAC and other systems, will be taught in the class to demonstrate to students how to use electronic charting software. OpenCPN is a marine navigation program that is state-of-the-art and in wide use by commercial and recreational boating enthusiasts. The course includes in-class exercises, developing the student's skills through hands-on practice and learning. Some of the topics covered will include: Charts; Navigation aids; Plotting courses; Converting between True and Magnetic; and Use of GPS, including interpreting GPS displays.

Topics covered include:
  1. Charts and their interpretation
  2. Navigation aids and how they point to safe water
  3. Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
  4. The mariner’s compass and converting between True and Magnetic
  5. Use of GPS – typical GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS route.
  6. Pre-planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS
  7. Use of OpenCPN navigation software
  8. Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
  9. The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple techniques for checking that one is on course.

Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees
 
  Activity Canceled
View Registration Eligibility
Marine Navigation * CANCELED
18y and up N/A Th  09/26/2024 - 11/21/2024
06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
View Locations 		$110.00 Res, $130.00 Non-Res
* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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