BASIC NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS

1. Magnetic Compass (Mariners Compass)

- Magnetic compasses are the most

well-known type of compass. They
have become so popular that the
term “compass” almost always
refers a magnetic compass. While
the design and construction of this
type of compass has
changed significantly over the
centuries, the concept of how it
works has remained the same.
Magnetic compasses consist of a
magnetized needle that is allowed
to rotate so it lines up with the Earth's magnetic field. The ends point
to what are known as magnetic north and magnetic south.

2. Nautical Chart

- A nautical chart is one of the

most fundamental tools
available to the mariner. It is
a map that depicts the
configuration of the
shoreline and seafloor. It
provides water depths,
locations of dangers to
navigation, locations and
characteristics of aids to
navigation, anchorages, and
other features. It is essential
for safe navigation. Mariners
use charts to plan voyages and navigate ships safely and economically.
Federal regulations require most commercial vessels to carry nautical
charts while they transit U.S. waters.
3. Marine Sextant

- The sextant is an instrument used

to measure angles. Mainly used at
sea, the tool is so named because
its arc is one-sixth of a circle – 60
degrees. It adheres to the principle
of double reflection hence it can
measure angles up to 120
degrees. Practically speaking, the
arc of the sextant is a little over 60
degrees and therefore the total
angle measurable is about 130
degrees. It is an essential tool for celestial navigation and is used to
measure the angle between the horizon and a visible object (or two
objects) at sea.

4. Almanac

- Nautical Almanac is a type of navigation aid,

which describes the position of celestial
bodies to assist navigators at sea to
determine their ship’s position using
celestial navigation. It contains astronomical
data for the entire year which assists the
navigator in making astronomical
calculations on ship. Reading the bullet
points will be easier if one has the almanac
open in front for easy reference. It uses the
time position as per the GMT (Greenwich
Meridian Time) along with the position of the
earth to calculate and predict the sea-routes.
The position of the sun, the moon, the other planets and 57 main stars
are also used along with the GMT and the earth’s position to calculate
the potential navigational routes.
5. Chronometer

- Chronometer, a timepiece that is

exceptionally accurate. Traditionally, the
term refers to the marine chronometer, a
rugged mechanical instrument used at sea
to keep time for navigational purposes. By
measuring the position of a celestial body
(with a device called a sextant), and by
knowing the exact time of the
measurement, a navigator can determine a
ship's longitude from published tables.

6. Lighthouse

- Lighthouse is a structure, usually

with a tower, built onshore or on
the seabed to serve as an aid to
maritime coastal navigation,
warning mariners of hazards,
establishing their position, and
guiding them to their
destinations. From the sea a
lighthouse may be identified by
the distinctive shape or colour of
its structure, by the colour or
flash pattern of its light, or by the coded pattern of its radio signal. The
development of electronic navigation systems has had a great effect on
the role of lighthouses.

7. Buoys

- A buoy is a type of an object that floats in water and

is used in the middle of the seas as locators or as
warning points for the ships. Buoys are generally
bright (fluorescent) in colour. Mooring buoys are a
type of buoy, to which, ships can be moored in the
deep oceanic areas. A mooring buoy weighs more
than the general type of buoys.