UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN Nautical Science
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester II - Paper III - Navigation I

Duration of Examination: 3 hrs
Maximum Marks: 100
Credits: 4

SECTION A - PRINCIPLES OF NAVIGATION

a) The shape of the earth, poles, equator, great circles, small circles, parallels of latitude, latitude, D'Lat, meridians, prime meridian, longitude, D'long, position by latitude and longitude.

b) Measurement of distance: Nautical, geographical and statute mile. Knot. Effect of polar compression on nautical mile

c) Compass points: True and magnetic north. Magnetic variation and changes in its annual value. isogonals. Deviation of magnetic compass, compass error. Course and bearing. Conversion of compass course to true course and vice versa.

d) Departure: Relationship between departure and D'long. Parallel sailing

e) Rhumb Line: Mean latitude. Plane sailing. Relationship between departure, d'lat, course and distance. Middle latitude.

f) Principle of mercator projection: mercator chart, natural scale, meridional parts: DMP. Latitude and longitude scales and conversion of one to the other; mercator sailing. Relationship between course, d'long and DMP

g) Principle of Gnomonic projection: Gnomonic chart.

h) Dead reckoning position (DR), Estimated position (EP) and Oberved position (Fix) Set and drift of current. Leeway

i) Spherical triangle: Great circle sailing initial course, final course, distance and vertex.

j) Solar System: Rotation and revolution. Equinoxes and solstices. Cause of seasons and unequal length of day and night.

k) The principle of the Sextant and the Azimuth Mirror

Section B - Principles of Navigation

a) Practical problems on parallel sailing using formulae

b) Practical problems on plane sailing using formulae

c) Practical problems on mercator sailing using formulae

d) The use of Traverse Tables to obtain the position of the ship at any time, given compass course, variation, deviation, and the run recorded by the log or estimated speed or engine speed allowing for the effects of wind and current, if any. Day's work.

e) To find initial course, final course and distance between two positions on the earth's surface by Great Circle Sailing. To calculate the position of the vertex and intermediate points on the Great Circle Track

PRACTICALS

a) The chronometer. Checking chronometer error by radio signals. Finding UT and correct date

b) The micrometer Sextant. Are of excess. Error of perpendicularity. Side error. Index error on the arc and off the arc. Taking vertical and horizontal sextant angles. Position fixing by bearing and vertical sextant angle of a light house. Position fixing by horizontal sextant angles between three or more points.

c) Recognition of important stars with reference to stellar constellations

d) The use of Azimuth mirror and Pelorus. Procedure for checking accuracy of azimuth mirrors.

e) The use and care of magnetic compasses. Precautions to be observed while taking compass bearings. Practical limitations of the magnetic compasses.

Books Recommended for Reference