Yachtmaster Ocean Examination »

 

  1. The Earth and the Celestial Sphere
  • Definition of observer’s zenith and position of a heavenly body in terms of latitude, longitude, GHA and declination
  • Right angle relationships, latitude and co-lat, declination and polar distance
  • Relationship between GHA, longitude and LHA
  • Tabulation of declination in nautical almanac
  • Rate of increase of hour angle with time

 

  1. The PZX Triangle
  • The tabulated components of the triangle, LHA, co-lat and polar distance
  • The calculable components, zenith distance and azimuth
  • Relationship between zenith distance and altitude
  • Introduction to the tabular method of solution in the Air Navigation Tables and the basic sight form
  • The use of calculators for the solution of the PZX triangle

 

  1. The Sextant
  • Practical guide to the use and care of a sextant at sea
  • Conversion of sextant altitude to true altitude
  • Application of dip, index error and refraction
  • Correction of side error, perpendicularity, index error and collimation error

 

  1. Measurement of Time
  • Definition, and relationship between, UT, LMT, standard time and zone time
  • Rating of chronometers and watches

 

  1. Meridian Altitudes
  • Forecasting time of meridian altitude
  • Reduction of meridian altitude sights

 

  1. Sun, Star and other sights
  • Reduction and plotting of sun sights using Air Navigation Tables
  • Awareness of use of calculator for sight reduction
  • The plotting of a sun-run-sun meridian altitude
  • Awarenes of the reduction and plotting of sights obtained from stars, moon and planets

 

  1. Compass Checking
  • Use of amplitude and azimuth tables, systems and/or calculator

 

  1. Satellite Navigation Systems
  • Principles and limitations of use of all systems

 

  1. Great Circle Sailing
  • Comparison of rhumb lines and great circles
  • Vertices and composite tracks
  • The computation of a series of rhumb lines approximating to a great circle by use of gnomonic and Mercator projections

 

  1. Meteorology
  • General pressure distribution and prevailing winds over the oceans of the world
  • Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence and forecasting by observation

 

  1. Passage Planning
  • Publications available to assist with planning of long passages (routeing charts, ocean passages of the world and other publications)
  • Preparation for ocean passage including survival equipment, victualing, water and fuel management, chafe protection, spares and maintenance

 

  1. Passage making
  • Navigational routine
  • Watchkeeping
  • Crew management

 

  1. Communications
  • Satellite and terrestrial systems
  • Weather information