MARA A150: Coastal Navigation

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	03/25/2026
Top Code	095900 - Marine Technology (CTE)
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours	90
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

Starting with the basics of navigation, students will be able to interpret charts, plot positions and courses, utilize navigational publications, and determine the effects of tides and currents relating to coastal piloting. Passage planning and boating safety legal requirements will be included. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Use electronic instrumentation to locate position on chart and recognize course and distance to destination.
Demonstrate the ability to interpret marine chart symbols, gyrocompass operation, and navigational aids in planning for safe passage.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and interpret marine chart symbols, marine and terrestrial features.
2. Measure distances; apply principles of time and speed.
3. Utilize variation and deviation to compensate or correct magnetic compass error.
4. Understand the principles of gyrocompass operation.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in plotting courses.
6. Compare and contrast manual and electronic methods of plotting.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of lights, navigational aids.
8. Differentiate between United States and foreign and systems.
9. Deduce conclusions for safe travel based on danger bearings.
10. Illustrate current diagrams and apply current vectors.
11. Evaluate navigational situations for safety.
12. Apply principles of navigation in planning safe passages.

Lecture Content

1 Course Introduction, material & equipment requirements The Earth and Charts, Related publications Nautical terms and definitions Reading a chart and its symbols 2 Distance and Direction on a chart Chart familiarization 3 Time / Speed / Distance determination Introduction to Plotting, Lines of Position 4 Aids to Navigation, Buoys & Beacons Aids to Navigation, Lighthouses, Light Towers 5 Marine Compass / compass error correction Dead Reckoning 6 Rules of the Road Lights & Shapes 7 Introduction to Bearings Beam Bearings 8 Log Keeping 9 Bow & Beam Bearings Running Fix 10 Danger Bearings Marine Weather Effects on Navigating 11 Tides & Tidal Currents 12 Current Compensation Passage Planning 13 Marine Electronics Global Positioning Systems Reading: Chapman chapter 21, Piloting and Dead Reckoning chapter 15,16 14 Radar Navigation Collision Avoidance with Radar 15 Gyrocompass Finding Gyrocompass Error 16 Float Plans, Voyage Planning Boating Safety Legal Requirements

Lab Content

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
Lab (04)
DE Live Online Lab (04S)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture supported by slides and whiteboard illustrations Individual and group exercises Demonstrations of problem solving Instructor feedback and interaction regarding chart work

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments are given from US Sailing Coastal Navigation and Nav 1

Writing Assignments

The writing component will be an assignment comparing and contrasting electronic and manual methods of plotting. A chart guide will be created by the class with each student having a chapter entry.

Out-of-class Assignments

Homework, charting

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Problem Solving Exercises
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Written objective testing Problem solving exercises which will include specific chart work Written assignment Completion of homework assignments

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

The writing component will be an assignment comparing and contrasting electronic and manual methods of plotting.

Resources Subscreen

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Eligible Discipline(s)

Marine diving technology: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

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