Sail-Excalibur

1. Position
* Estimated position, leeway
* Position lines to onshore objects
* Using waypoints to set position
* Using other data to set position
* GPS
* Compass reading, magnetic and true heading
* Accuracy of marked position
* Using the radar
* Error tolerance of marked position
* Areas of uncertainty

2. Compass
* Deviation and variation
* Change of variation relative to time and position
* Reasons of deviation
* Types of compasses

3. Tides
* Causes of tides
* Spring and neap tides
* Tidal charts
* Tidal heights and chart datum
* Standard and secondary ports
* Tidal anomalies

4. Currents
* Information sources on currents
* Information on currents, the Almanac
* Current stream adjustments to pilotage course
* Observing current, buoys and water marks
* Danger zones

5. The IALA system
* The IALA system in regions A and B
* Limitations in using buoys as aids in navigation

6. Lights
* Characteristics
* Range
* Setting lighthouse distance
* List of lights

7. Pilotage
* Harbour and port regulations
* Planning methods
* Using bearings
* Using the echo sounder
* Transits and position lines

8. GPS and Plotters
* Principles of satellite navigation
* Limitations
* Different types of charts
* Paper charts – good practice
* Confirming position by position lines

9. Echo sounder
* Principles and use

10. Log
* Principles and use

11. The log book
* The log book – an official document of the yacht
* Principles of Log Book entries
* Log Book chapters

12. Meteorology
* Key terms, the Beaufort wind scale
* Air masses
* Clouds
* Predicting weather based on depression tracks and formation
* Sources of weather forecasts
* Interpreting forecasts for ships
* Sea and land breezes
* Fog
* Using the barometer

13. Right of way
* Advanced knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

14. Safety
* Personal items, vests, harnesses
* Fire prevention and fire fighting
* Preparation to storm conditions
* Navigating at night
* SAR scheme and principles
* Distress signals
* Stability in sailing yachts

15. Navigation in limited visibility
* Preparing to sail in fog
* Navigation strategy in limited visibility conditions (fog)
* Navigation in fog

16. Passage planning
* Navigational planning of passage (charts, information sources)
* Briefing in foreign ports
* Accounting for weather forecasts
* Using waypoints
* The importance of confirming position through independent sources
* Position corrections

17. The marine environment
* Respect for marine ecology