How do boats navigate?

A compass tells you which direction your boat is heading in—north, south, east, or west – as measured in degrees relative to magnetic north. There are 360 degrees representing a full circle. Zero degrees on the compass is north, 180 degrees points south, it’s 90 degrees to the east, and 270 degrees leads to the west.

How does boat right of way work?

Operating Rules – Keeping it Simple Port: If a power-driven boat approaches your boat from the port sector, maintain your course and speed with caution. You are the stand-on craft. Starboard: If any vessel approaches your boat from the starboard sector, you must keep out of its way. You are the give-way craft.

Can you pass a boat on either side?

If you are overtaking a boat, you can do so at either side of the boat you wish to pass. This applies to both sail and power boats. Sailing boats and power-driven boats. Power usually gives way to sail.

Is there a Google Maps for boats?

First off, you can use Google Maps, including its satellite view, to take a look at an area you plan to be boating. You can also use sailing tools built around Google Maps, such as distance calculator Sea Seek, which uses Google Maps to compute the rough length of a potential route or the distance between two points.

What side do you pass oncoming boat?

1. If another vessel is approaching you from the port — or left — side of your boat, you have the right of way and should maintain your speed and direction. 2. If a vessel is aiming to cross your path and they’re on your starboard — or right — side, they have the right of way.

What is the minimum distance you should keep between boats?

Do not approach within 100 yards, and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel. Violators of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone could face six years in prison and a $250,000 fine, not to mention a quick and possibly severe response from the vessel itself.

Which side do I pass a boat on?

You should pass at a safe distance to the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the other boat. If a safe route exists, you should always attempt to pass the boat on the starboard side.

Is boat a small ship?

A boat is small to the mid-sized vessel, which has a much lesser cargo-carrying capability as compared to a ship. Ships are specifically made to carry cargo or passengers or boats, whereas boat is a generic term used for a variety of watercraft. Mainly boats are used for recreational purposes, fishing, or ferry people.

Is there a free marine navigation app?

Marine Navigator Marine Navigator is the advanced version of the free navigation app, Marine Navigator Lite. Marine Navigator allows for free online download of NOAA raster charts, or any other BSB/KAP navigational chart for that matter.

When does a boat have the right of way?

1 When a sailing vessel approaches another sailing vessel, the vessel with the wind on its starboard side has the right way. 2 The sailboat with the wind on the port side must give way to the other vessel. 3 When both sailboats have the wind on the same side, the passing boat has to give way to the other vessel.

Do you pass on the right or left side of the boat?

Passing Rules For Boats Whether a boat should pass on the right or the left depends on the vessel and the circumstance. To know who has the right of way, you should know the difference between the port and starboard side. While you are looking to the vessel’s front, the port side is the vessel’s left side.

How does a boat sail to its destination?

If your destination lies upwind, how do you sail there? Unless the wind is blowing from directly astern (over the back of the boat), the sails propel the boat forward because of “lift” created by wind blowing across them, not by wind pushing against them.

How are the parts of a boat divided?

Boats are divided into eight basic sections. Amidships is the central part of the boat, running from bow to stern. Think of it as dividing the boat in half, long ways. Athwartships is the central part of the boat, running from the port to starboard side. Think of it as now dividing the boat into quarters.