Use this page to learn the names of the signals with corresponding morse code and flags. Lights These are generalized and running lights will typically be in addition to these for vessels making way.

The formula is to take 60 and divide it by your speed.

1 Mile = 1.61 Km 1 Km = 0.621 Miles 1 Km = 1000 Meters 1 Meter = 3.28 Feet 100 Yards = 91.4 Meters 100 Meters = 109 Yards

From Chart To Compass For determining a compass heading to steer. TRUE -E +W = Variation -E +W = MAGNETIC -E +W = Deviation -E +W = COMPASS True Virgins Make Dull Company TRUE heading Variation – God made, the per chart difference in true vs magnetic north. MAGNETIC heading Deviation – Man-made, the error…

Dead Reckoning deals only with: Speed Time Heading It does not account for leeway current or tide.

Below are different methods of using objects on shore to determine your distance from it. This distance, plus a bearing will yield a fix. Horizontal Angle Long Distance off (in miles) = 60 * Target width (in miles from the chart)/Target angle (in degrees from your position) Example: A bay 1 mile across that appears…

4 Docking Positions (the following part facing the dock) Bow Port Beam Starboard Beam Stern 8 Primary Potential Wind Positions Bow Port Bow Starboard Bow Port Beam Starboard Beam Stern Port Stern Starboard Stern Assuming each docking position could experience anyone of the primary 8 wind directions, this equals 32 main docking scenarios. Practically it…

This calculation yields a range to a distant object in miles. Geographic range = √land height + √eye height  (units in feet). If you can see a beacon and know it is 25ft high, and assuming your eye height on the boat is 9ft, then the square root of 25 = 5 and the square…

Under Construction MyShipLog.com is here to provide an organized library of knowledge for skippers. It also offers a comprehensive online skipper’s log.

Found on Charts The second ‘always just below’ symbol should have a dashed line around it versus a solid circle. Written on Charts These are symbols a navigator uses and draws on a chart. Position Fix Answers the question of where you are within a good degree of accuracy. Estimated Position Answers the question of…

This page offers a basic understanding of light signals. A vessel underway will have running lights in addition to these lights. There are also day signals that correspond to these meanings.

Distance = Velocity * Time Velocity = Distance / Time Time = Distance / Velocity Range in hours = fuel capacity / burn rate Burn Rate = Range in hours * boat’s speed. Nautical miles = (fuel capacity/burn rate) * boat’s speed 1 meter = 3.3 feet 1 foot = 0.3 feet 1 fathom =…

The most important rule in navigation is to frequently mark your position on the chart with the time. Primary Questions Where am I, in space AND time (without a start there can’t be an end)? The fix. Where do I intend to go (final destination)? The course. What affects my path to get there (weather,…

Responsibilities of Vessels Over Night Rooms For Sale Plus Supper Whatever level you pick, that vessel has to stay clear of all above it. Overtaken Not Under Command Restricted in Ability To Maneuver Fishing Sailing Power Seaplane Annex I – See – Visual II – Fun – Fishing III – Hear – Audible IV –…

Draw your ground track from start point (A) through and beyond your end point (B). Measure the distance of your ground track from A to B using your dividers, measure this against the scale on your chart to determine the distance. Estimate the time it will take your boat to travel from A to B,…

A different flag will be presented in random order for 7 seconds. Can you recall the meaning and Morse code?

Test your skills by a random set of flags. Do you know the meaning and morse code? Randomize

This area offers tools to help learn the common flag, sound, light, and Morse Codes.

The master checklist is a work in progress but intended to be an all-encompassing checklist every skipper could use. Download Google Doc

To a good degree of accuracy, the height of an angle of 6 degrees is one-tenth the length of either side. The rule can be expanded by multiples of 6 for larger angles. This is useful for approximating tidal influence. What this is saying is the current must push you 0.1 nmi off course laterally…

The procedure is to determine three well-known landmarks confirmed by a chart that are less than 90 degrees apart in bearing. A benefit is this fix is accurate and does not rely on a compass. It is good from stationary positions or to see if you have dragged your anchor. Steps: Find three points on…

Cross Current = (XTE/6) * (0.1 * Boat Speed) To find the cross-track (XTE) angle take bearings off the stern and see how far in degrees it has veered from your starting point. This angle gets divided by 6 and multiplied by 10% of the boat speed. The result equals the net speed of the…

To Remember Semidiurnal – 2 highs and 2 lows. Diurnal – 1 high and 1 low. For tides check Tide Tables. For current check Tidal Current Tables. The sun’s influence on tides is 1/2 that of the moon. The moon’s location determines the time of tides. The moon’s phase determines the range (height) of tides.…