Marine navigation has undergone a significant change over the past 30 years with the advent of inexpensive, versatile electronics that can access and use sophisticated imagery and text information to even the smallest of boats. And the internet and satellite communications bring all of this to even the remotest of locations. But these modern gems are a double-edged sword that can cut through the darkest and foggiest of nights but also lull the mariner into a sense of false security. Advanced navigation prep remains an essential practice for the prudent mariner to avoid surprises during the cruise, and this requires route planning based on the charts, publications and notices prior to the cruise and use of these items in conjunction with the electronics during the cruise.

We will offer both Coastal Navigation (ASA105) and Celestial Navigation (ASA107) online courses during the Winter of 2026 on Zoom Webinar by Captain Tom Tursi and a live student body talking directly to each other. Each class will be conducted over five half-day Saturday sessions meeting from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Eastern Time. Coastal Navigation course starts on Saturday, January 10, 2026, and Celestial Navigation starts on February 21, 2026. This video describes the setup for these courses, books included, registration procedures, Zoom requirements, and ASA certification testing which you may take at your home. Also, refer to our website for details: http://www.mdschool.com/Navigation.htm

Step by step compass calibration procedures based on the Sun including calculations for constructing a Deviation Table plus examples of applying Deviation to typical navigation situations.

A description of how the USCG NavAids in the Intracoastal Waterway System are marked to distinguish them from other NavAids

Contact us at office@mdschool.com if you have questions about this video... We'll be sailing from Portugal to St Thomas in the Caribbean in November 2014 aboard MONTAUK LIGHT, a Skye 51 ocean sailing yacht as described in this video

Date correction: Webinar date is Dec 7, 2024 not 2025. This video announces a Free Webinar on Saturday, December 7th by Captains Tom Tursi and Frank Mummert discussing the changes that are taking place with NOAA paper charts and electronic charts and the USCG Light List, Local Notices to Mariners, and Broadcast Notices to Mariners and how mariners can adopt these improvements into their own cruise planning and underway navigation. Register by sending an email to office@mdschool.com

Contact us at office@mdschool.com if you have questions about this video which shows a do it yourself calibration method for your speed and distance measuring instruments.

Contact us at office@mdschool.com if you have questions about this video... Video demonstrates how using this protractor triangle, and plotting courses and bearings in True degrees, is easier, faster and more accurate than plotting in Magnetic degrees.

Converting between True degrees and Magnetic degrees, and to Compass degrees