Sailing Navigation - Pilotage
In Sailing Navigation, Piloting or Pilotage refers to the art and process of navigating through visual references on land or sea to ensure that the vessel reaches its destination safely. It involves steering the vessel while avoiding any dangers when entering and leaving the harbor.
Since Pilotage involves Navigation through the use of visual references to landmarks, it is crucial to know the numerous sea marks and types of visual references that are used in Pilotage. These visual references can also be seen in the Charts.
It is necessary to learn the different Pilotage aids and their meanings. Some of these nautical features include the various Buoyage Devices, Lighthouses, rocks, and radio aerials. The one who is in charge of Piloting should be familiar and knowledgeable on these visual references in order to navigate the vessel safely, avoiding local coastal hazards.
One important tool that will be useful in Pilotage is Binoculars. Make sure you have good Binoculars to use when you need to navigate visually. It is also useful in identifying the Buoyage Devices in the area.
You may need some vital information that Charts cannot provide, or you need to ensure the accuracy of your Navigation work. There are information resources which can help you in this aspect. Some of these include local Pilotage guides, nautical almanac, pilot books, local tidal atlas, and instruction manuals.
Transits
A Transit is also called a Range. It is composed of pairs of Beacons which form a particular Line of Position when lined up. Two aids of Navigation or objects are said to be in transit when they are separated in distance and are aligned to determine that the Sailboat lies on the imaginary line which connects the two aids or objects.
Make use of the Chart in identifying Transits that can be useful in your Pilotage and Navigation work. A black dashed line on the Chart indicates the location of ranges.
It is important to get familiar with that particular area so you will know what to do in your Pilotage work. Use the different Navigation Tools to help you in determining the vessel's position. Likewise, make sure that your Charts are always up-to-date.
These are the important features in the world of Pilotage or Piloting. This is an important aspect in the art of Sailing Navigation. There are things to be taken into consideration so make sure to know the necessary information with regards to Pilotage work and know the functions of various Navigation Tools and more importantly, learn how to use them.
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