Embark on a journey to learn the age-old techniques of celestial navigation, a fundamental skill that connects mariners to the vastness of the cosmos and the traditions of seafaring. While modern vessels are equipped with sophisticated electronic navigation systems, the ability to pinpoint your position using the sun, moon, planets, and stars offers self-reliance and seaworthy preparedness.
The ASA 117 course introduces sailors to the timeless art of celestial navigation using a sextant and celestial bodies to determine position at sea. This course is designed for those interested in gaining a foundational understanding of how to navigate offshore without relying on GPS or electronic tools.
What You'll Learn:
- Basic concepts of celestial navigation
- Use and care of the sextant
- How to measure the sun's altitude
- Use of the Nautical Almanac and sight reduction table
- Determining latitude and longitude by sun sight
- Understanding time, time zones, and GMT
- Plotting lines of position (LOPs) on a nautical chart
Your Celestial Endorsement textbook, GPS Backup with a Mark 2 Sextant by David Burch, is included with the purchase of your course and will be mailed to you. If you prefer to pick up your course materials in person or if you signed up less than a week from the first day of your course, please contact our office. Advance study of these books will enhance your success in this course.
Enroll in ASA 117 to equip yourself with this essential skill. If you're interested in a deeper dive into celestial navigation, look for our ASA 107 Celestial Navigation course, typically scheduled during the fall and winter months.
The ASA 117 certification serves as a prerequisite to ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking.
There are three ways to sign up for this course - by phone (415) 331-8250, email, or by clicking the link below.
