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Digital Navigation has been part of our lives for quite some time. From the Sat Nav in our vehicles to the Smartwatches tethered to our mobile phones, we all use Apps and websites to check our location, orientation and probably the weather.
Solent Boat Training offer an 'Introduction to Digital Navigation' training day and is suited to those who have already completed their boat training to become the skipper of a vessel, wishing to improve on their currently knowledge and understanding of navigation equipment or just want a brush up, before heading back onto the water.
During this hands-on course, your instructor will introduce you to a number of eNavigation tools currently available (some you may already be using). This will ensure a better understanding of which ones might be right for you and how to utilise them as part of your planning.
The morning will start with an explanation of how the information gathered, can best be interpreted. It is important to understand any information gained from Apps, Websites, GPS's and Digital Charts, to give a better appreciation of the data offered and how it will assist in your day to day navigation.

Having identified the various sources of information, you will then have the opportunity to put this into practice during the afternoon sessions, where you'll be encouraged to create and run a route using the latest Raymarine Navigation Equipment , fitted to our Rodman 1040 Adv Motor Cruiser see more details 'Here'
You will be given the chance to formulate a route as you navigate down the Itchen River and then into Southampton Water. Individually or as a group, you will be able to follow your digital plan and navigate in confidence, safe in the knowledge that your instructor is on hand to offer advise and clarification.
With a greater emphasis towards eNavigation and the use of Digital Charts, it is vital that the operator of any vessel must be fully conversant with the equipment available to them. While Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) are not new, there are many variations of each.
Having a basic understanding of what information a system can provide you with and how best to utilise the data, will increase the effectiveness of a device and give you a better understanding of any limitations it may pose.
As accurate as the data offered by the many pieces of online, mobile apps or live data available to the user might be, the ability to fully understand and interpret this, is a skill that can only be gained with practice.
For example;
1. Where did your weather forecast originate from, is it accurate or is it only a prediction?
2. Is the Tidal app you're using give you adjusted timings for DST or best guess for the area you are operating in?
3. Is the position offered by your GPS or Chart Plotter using the correct Datum, True or Magnetic Bearings or does it even running the most up to date software and chart data?
4. Before using the Auto Route function of your Chart Plotter, did you input the correct data to ensure your passage will be a safe one?