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Nieuwsbrief
Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Syllabus
This is a course in astro-navigation
and worldwide meteorology which also reveals the
mysteries of the sextant. It assumes a knowledge of
all subjects covered in the other shorebased courses.
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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Measurement of time
- Definition of, and relationship between, UT,
LMT, standard time and zone time
- Rating of chronometers and watches
5. Meridian altitudes
- Forecasting time of meridian altitude
- Reduction of meridian altitude sights
6. 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 sun-run-sun meridian altitude
- Awareness of the reduction and plotting of
sights obtained from stars, moon and planets
7. Compass checking
- Use of amplitude and azimuth tables systems
and/or calculator
8. Satellite Navigation Systems
- Principles and limitations of use of all
systems
9. 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
10. Meteorology
- General pressure distribution and prevailing
winds over the oceans of the world
- Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence
and forecasting by observation
11. 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, victualling, water and fuel
management, chafe protection, spares and
maintenance
12. Passage making
- Navigational routine
- Watchkeeping
- Crew management
13. Communications
- Satellite and terrestrial systems
- Weather information
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