"Joe" wrote in message
om...
"Donal" wrote in message
...
"Joe" wrote in message
om...

snip

You certainly do not need to be told your position at the start of the
blind
test, as at that point you were not navigating blindly.

Oh OK, that makes sence. When I learned to navigate we needed to know
were we were, that was some of the basic stuff.

Exactly.
You do not ask the crew for the compass reading. As the navigator you
*tell* the crew what the compass heading should be.

But you have to look at the compass to tell what your course is,
therefore the compass is giving you imput, can you understand this
farout concept?


No, you tell the crew what course to steer. As John E has pointed out, they
may tell you if they cannot steer to your course, and tell you what course
they can make. I didn't remember the rules on the last bit, but it makes
sense.


If I am navigator, then I direct the course changes.

Not if you move blind into a strong current, the current might set
your course and drift, without external imput from your compass you
will not be able to accurately tell your deviation from orignal
heading, if you are blind that is.

I don't follow you. A strong current at sea shouldn't change the compass
heading??? It may change your course, but then again, the test is meant to
show if you are aware of the currents.

The only way that the compass reading could be affected by currents is if
the boat was being steered by the GPS.





...... go on Joe, you really want to mention "meeting" or "crossing"
situations, don't you?

Yeah and being blind without external imput meeting situation are
going to be very risky huh?


No, the crew, including the examiner won't crash the boat!




A competent navigator will have used his tide tables before he sets out
on
his trip. In fact, I mentioned this a couple of years ago. I always
insist
that my wife and my sons do independent passage plans before a long
passage
so that they will really *know* where we are if something happens to me.



Tide tables?

Yes! Navigators use them when their GPS sets break down.


They do! Wow your smart.

Why did you ask?


About as good as your description of blind navigation with no imput at
all, you know the "Waves slapping on the hull" line you spewed. Your
yachtmaster exam sounds like what a basic OS or AB would sit for.
Basic Basic Basic. Your the only one that thinks it is , difficult,
mysterious, and a great feat of navigation.

I don't think any such thing at all. I see it as a recreational boater's
qualification. AFAIK, you cannot use it to get many professional jobs.




Regards


Donal
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