Lesson 3A: Basic Plotting

Lesson 3A: Basic Plotting

AGENDA:
Basic chart features

Traffic separation scheme

Visual aids
Tabulated depth charts
Scales

Plotting on a chart

CHART NOTES, CHARACTERISTICS

AND SYMBOLS

Traffic separation Schemes:

Indicate outbound and inbound waterways.
Magenta in color

Traffic Separation Scheme

CHART NOTES, CHARACTERISTICS

AND SYMBOLS
Navigation Aids:

Aids with sound and visual characteristics.

Listed and labeled on chart
Usually used as primary navigation
aids for Visual or Radar.

Visual Aids Characteristics Label

CHART NOTES, CHARACTERISTICS

AND SYMBOLS

Notes located throughout the chart give

detailed descriptions of danger,
obstructions, depths, overhead clearances,
etc.

CHART NOTES, CHARACTERISTICS

AND SYMBOLS
Scale Conversion Tables:
Used for measuring distance (based on
the scale of chart being used).

Used for converting U.S. system of

measurement to metric, etc.

Tabulated Depths

Measuring Distance
NEVER use the longitude
scale to determine distances
on a chart.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Navigation Plot: A graphic plot of the
movement of a vessel suitably labeled
with respect to time, direction, and speed.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Course The direction in which a
vessel is steered or intended to
be steered.

Designated as True or Magnetic.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Track The path of intended travel
with respect to the earth as drawn on the
chart.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Speed of Advance (SOA) The
speed intended to be made good along
the track.
The average speed in knots which must
be maintained during a passage to
arrive at a destination at an appointed
time.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

PIM Planned track movement
based on required SOA
USS Indianapolis
Indicated every 4 hours
Needed for ALL Voyage Plans
PIM symbol must be different
from standard navigation
symbols.
Ex:

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Nautical Mile A unit distance
used principally in navigation.
2000 yards equals one Nautical
Mile.
Knot A unit of speed equal to 1
Nautical Mile per hour.

MEASURING DISTANCE
Distance of 1
NM

1 Degree = 60 NM
(Nautical Miles)

1 Minute =
1 Nautical Mile
DISTANCE ALWAYS MEASURED ON
LATITUDE SCALE!

10 NM

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

View Overall Track (Big Picture)
Use a small scale chart that encompasses
the overall area
Great Circle Sailing
General (International)

If transiting
open ocean

LABELING
1. Visual fix is plotted as a circle.
2. Electronic fix is plotted as a triangle.
3. DR is plotted as a half circle.
4. EP is plotted as a square.
5. Composite is plotted as a circle with a
triangle inside the circle.

LABELING
6. Course is labels on top or above the
track line. Referenced in 3 digits and
always labeled T for TRUE and M for
MAGNETIC.
7. Speed is labeled below the trackline and
always expressed in KNOTS.
8. DR Time is labeled at an angle to the
track line.
9. Fix Time is labeled in a straight line to the
fix.

COURSE EXAMPLE

0900

C-090T (080M)
30

S-10 KTS
D-1510 YDS

1000

TRACK EXAMPLE
C-090T(080M)
S-10 KTS
D-1510 YDS

Plotting Positions on a Nautical

Chart
Step 1 - Examine the latitude scale on side of
the chart closest to the desired position.
Step 2 - Place the metal point of the compass on
the reference parallel.
Step 3 - Spread the compass to reach the
desired latitude and make a mark.

MEASURING LAT. & LONG.

Charted Latitude and Longitudes are based

on the SCALE of the CHART itself.

Plotting Positions on a Nautical

Chart
Step 4 - Examine the longitude scale on side of
the chart closest to the desired position.
Step 5 - Place the metal point of the compass on
the reference meridian.
Step 6 - Spread the compass to reach the
desired longitude and make a mark.

Plotting Positions on a Nautical

Chart
Step 7 - Locate the reference parallel and
meridian intersection and lightly mark the
reference parallel with the longitude
marked position.
Step 8 - Without changing the spread of
the compass, place the metal point of the
compass on the reference meridian.

Plotting Positions on a Nautical

Chart
Step 9 - Remeasure latitude on the
latitude scale and place the metal end on
point and swing a arc so that in crosses
the one made for longitude.
Step 10 - Mark the desired position where
the two arcs crossed( intersected) and
label the position.

Plotting Positions on a Nautical Chart

Plotting Positions on different scales of charts.

Coastal Chart
Degrees, Minutes and tenths of a Minute

40 03.9 N

1.5-12

24 51.8 E

RELATIONSHIP OF
TIME/SPEED/DISTANCE
D=SxT

T=D/S

S=D/T

RELATIONSHIP OF
TIME/SPEED/DISTANCE

D=SxT
Distance Equals Speed Multiplied By Time.

1200 yds = 12.0 kt x 3min

RELATIONSHIP OF
TIME/SPEED/DISTANCE

S=D/T
SPEED REQUIRED EQUALS DISTANCE
DIVIDED BY TIME

20.0

kts = 12.0 nm / 36m

RELATIONSHIP OF
TIME/SPEED/DISTANCE

T=D/S
TIME REQUIRED TO TRAVEL 400NM
EQUALS DISTANCE DIVIDED BY SPEED.

3 min = 1500yds / 15.0kts

PLOT THE FOLLOWING

POSITION
Using chart 12245 plot the following
position
76 21 36 N
36 57 50.5 W
Label as Anchorage 1

DO NOT ERASE THIS MARK!!

QUESTIONS?