Get the most out of modern electronic charts and be ready for the end of paper charts as we know them. From basic echart reading to advanced route planning.
NOAA is retiring traditional paper and raster charts in favor of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) and NOAA Custom Charts (NCC). This course gets you ready for that change. It takes you from basic echart reading to advanced route planning, to make your time on the water safer and more efficient.
It introduces the world of charting and navigation technology available in modern navigation software, which you use hands-on throughout the course.
COURSE LESSONS
1. Introduction to Electronic Chart Systems
2. ENC Basics
3. Tides, Lights and Hazards
4. Chart Reading Summary and Rescheming
5. Tidal Currents and Piloting
6. Waypoints and Routes
7. Simulator and Live GPS Practice
8. Echart Navigation Underway
9. Automatic Identification System (AIS)
10. NOAA Custom Charts and Weather Overlays
11. Optimum Sailboat Routing (optional)
COURSE MATERIALS
• Introduction to Electronic Chart Navigation textbook and a custom set of training charts
• qtVlm navigation software (Mac and PC)
• Training charts (ENC and RNC), selected U.S. and European inland ENCs, and ECDIS Chart No. 1 interactive ENCs
• An extensive video library, an instructor-graded quiz for each lesson, discussion forums and direct instructor contact
Prerequisites: None. Basic chart familiarity is helpful but not required.
Platform: Mac or Windows.