Large Scale vs Small Scale Charts: What’s The Difference?
When you are navigating on the water, you’re going to need multiple charts showing the same location, just at different scales. You’ll want a mix…
How To Measure Distances On A Nautical Chart
One of the most unusual features of a nautical chart is that you will almost never find a scale bar. This is because the scale…
Easy Tidal Predictions: The Rule Of Twelfths
Although accurately calculating the height of tide between high water and low water will always rely on accurately plotting a tidal curve, there is a…
Chart Datums, Depths & Heights: An Illustrated Guide
Did you know that the soundings given on a nautical chart are not the depths of water that you can expect to measure? This is…
Nautical Chart Symbols & Abbreviations: Nature Of Seabed
Nautical charts are filled with so much information that it is inevitable some things would be abbreviated. One such abbreviation is for the terms describing…
Variation & Deviation: How To Apply Them To Your Compass
Despite being one of the oldest navigational aids, the magnetic compass still sits in pride of place next to the helm of almost every seagoing…
Will GPS Work Under Water?
When you consider navigation, the most common tool for everyone will be GPS. It is great if you are out walking, driving, flying, or boating….
Can You Use GPS for Free
GPS is a free system created by the United States government that uses 24 specially designed satellites to calculate the exact position and altitude of…
20 Types Of Tide: Explained By A Real Ship’s Officer
When it comes to boating, a thorough understanding of the tides will form a critical aspect of your passage planning. I have compiled this list…
Rip Tide vs Rip Currents – All You Need To Know
The terms “Rip Tide” and “Rip Current” are often used interchangeably, but they actually describe two completely different phenomena. “A rip tide is a strong…
Do Lakes Have Tides?
When planning any boating trip, one of the first considerations in every passage plan is to take account of the tide. If your passage includes…
How Do Tide Clocks Work?
Just like any regular clock, tide clocks are designed to tell you a time. Regular clocks are calibrated to roughly match the earth’s rotation, giving…