Piloting
This site is provided as a means of communications with the USPS National Inland and Coastal Navigation Committee (ICNCom). We welcome your questions and comments on our modules, Learning Guides, and associated materials.
R/C
Kenneth L. Griffing, SN
Stf/C Luther Abel, SN
Stf/C Richard W. McGaughy, JN
Topics
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News
Piloting Manual Errata. In 2008 the standard for labeling speed was revised from “two significant digits” to the more traditional “tenth of a knot.” Unfortunately, this change was omitted in some places in the most current Instructor Manual and Student Guide. (14 May 09)
- 2008 Instructor Manual
Page vii: An older version of the Piloting Plotting and Labeling Standards is shown with two-digit speeds. (Fortunately, the Plotting and Labeling Standards included in the Student Guide is correct.)
Page 169: An older version of the Piloting Cruise solution with two-digit speeds is shown. The most current plot, downloadable below, has been corrected to show speeds to tenths.
Page 180: The solution to Exercise 7-1 shows two-digit speeds. PowerPoint slide 7-9 shows correct speed annotation.
- 2006 Rev 3 Student Guide
Page 44: Figure 3-1 incorrectly asks for two-digit speeds. PowerPoint slide 3-9 shows the correct version of this illustration, calling for speeds to tenths.
Updates. The PowerPoint presentations for Piloting have been updated and improved significantly. Many slides have been changed from timed advance to "click to advance." Piloting and AP CD version 6 contains these presentations. The CD can be procured separately through the catalog. Minor updates have also been made to the 2008 Instructor Manual, primarily to reflect the current version of the PowerPoints. (26 Apr 09)
Speed Precision Standard Changed. As a result of numerous comments and requests, ICNCom has reviewed the standard for showing boat speed. It has been changed so that knots and tenths of a knot are shown for all speeds, not just speeds below 10.0 knots as previously. This change is reflected in the updated 2008 Plotting and Labeling Standard available under Downloadable Material. Until all printed Piloting material has been updated, students will not be penalized on exams if they show speeds in accordance with the previous standard (two digits of precision). (07 Oct 08)
How to Pass the Final Exam. A short PowerPoint presentation How to Pass the Final Exam has been added under Downloadable Material. It covers many of the most common mistakes made by students that lower their scores on the final exam. We strongly suggest you present it to your class just before you hand out the final exam. (07 Oct 08)
Updated Plotting and Labeling Standards for Piloting 2005 (P 05) are available on this page under Downloadable Material. (31 Jul 08)
Running the Maptech Digital Chart Training CD under Vista. Maptech's Offshore Navigator (and related products, such as Offshore Navigator Lite and Chart Navigator Viewer) was created long before Microsoft Windows Vista was released. As you may be aware, Microsoft Vista is designed to restrict access to certain core components of the operating system, in order to make the system more robust and secure. Unfortunately, by doing this, older applications must be run "As Administrator" and in "Windows XP Compatibility Mode" in order to function correctly. Click on the following link to get instructions for how to do this http://www.maptech.com/support/emailed.doc.cfm?docat=573.24. Just a reminder, once you have this Chart Navigator software on this CD loaded and operating, you can download and use any charts you would like from Maptech following the “Download - Free NOAA Charts” link on this page. (12 Apr 07)
Piloting Course Description
The Piloting course is the first in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation, covering the basics of coastal and inland navigation. This all-new course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool while covering enough of traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. The course includes many in-class exercises, developing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Topics covered include:
- Charts and their interpretation
- Navigation aids and how they point to safe water
- Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
- The mariner’s compass and converting between True and Magnetic
- Use of GPS – typical GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS route.
- Pre-planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS
- Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course.
Downloadable Material
Standards
The following Piloting standards may be printed for use by USPS members by clicking on the standard name. They must be viewed or printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Plotting and Labeling Standard (P 2005)(Updated 2008)) (56KB)
- Piloting Cruise (P 2008) instructor notes (365KB)
How to Pass the Final Exam
This PowerPoint presentation (289KB) covers the most common mistakes made by students on the final exam. It is strongly suggested that you present this to your class immediately before or after handing out the final exam.
Questions or Comments?
If you have any questions or comments about the Piloting course, please contact the National Inland and Coastal Navigation Committee chairman by e-mail, phone or postal service mail. Please be sure to keep your SEO and/or DEO advised of any correspondence you may have with the National committee. Addresses for the National ICNCom chairman are listed in The ENSIGN and on the Committee Chairpersons page.
We will try to answer your questions as soon as possible, but please allow 5 working days for an answer.
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