Many yachtsmen today rely solely on electronic charts. But many argue that traditional skills should not be forgotten. Even better, having a paper map on board as a fallback is a good idea.
Satellite navigation is a good help
Satellite imagery is a relatively reliable way to check electronic and paper maps. Moreover, it is thanks to satellites that you will be able to pass in little-known areas that are not marked on maps. For example, in Fiji, where electronic charts were very inaccurate in some places, and satellite images allow you to confidently plot courses through coral reefs.
There are various ways to use satellite imagery for navigation and software to read it. One of the most trusted is OvitalMap, a cross-platform phone or tablet app. It allows you to save Google and/or Bing snapshots of any area of interest for offline use.
Boat position, speed, heading and their track can be displayed in real time. The same goes for waypoints. Moreover, all this data can be extracted in advance for drawing on an electronic map.
Among other advantages of satellite imagery is the ability to identify good areas in bays for anchorage. Just be sure to download the data beforehand when you still have an internet connection. OvitalMap can be downloaded from the Apple or Android stores.
Take care of alternative options in advance
Any planning of your trip must be carried out with the expectation of alternative ports, marinas, bays. You can take shelter in them in case of bad weather or if the chosen end point is not accessible for some reason. This must be done in advance so as not to get into an unpleasant situation later.
Of course, this is a reasonable approach to planning. But there is one option that many for some reason forget about. In case of unforeseen circumstances, the “alternative port” may be the one that has just left.
Definitely, wasting time trying to go back is not something you want to do. But trust me, sometimes it makes more sense to take a step back.
Determine areas where you should not be
When we learn to navigate, the focus is on calculating the ideal route. We take into account the tides, free space and deviations in order to calculate the course to the nearest degree. Of course, few people can end up following that “ideal” course.
In reality, the wind changes unpredictably, and the waves can be higher than expected. As a result, we are delayed, behind the plan, deviate from the course, or even make a detour just to bypass the trawlers on duty.
That is why planning a route should be based not on where you want to go, but where you shouldn't be. After identifying potential problem areas, take a pencil and shade in any restricted areas to leave yourself a safe area to navigate.
This will emphasize the problematic places for the crew, who can navigate. It will also help you create a mental map of the area so you can confidently make decisions on the go.
Traditional navigation has its place
Perhaps the classic view of navigation can already be called old-fashioned. At least because it does not depend on chartplotters, laptops, software or hardware, and is not even related to them. But at least a few times it is worth trying navigation “the old fashioned way”. Naturally, no one is told to throw away your GPS, Garmin chartplotter, and AIS receiver. However, it is worth trying the classic navigation techniques.
Thus, yachtsman Tony Kurfi shares his experience of such navigation: “Being in the ocean, every day at noon I plot one of my positions on the map. However, I should note the position every time I have a reason to write something: for example, a change in the wind, a change in sail. So I always know where I was a few hours ago.
When I am in close proximity to a coast, an island, or the English Channel, I can use a larger map and plot the position on it no more than every 15 minutes, depending on conditions or circumstances.
There is not a single electronic device on my yacht that I could not do without if, for example, a lightning strike disabled it all. My sextant, tables and almanac/magazine always travel with me.”
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02.09.2022
