Navigation and Seamanship

1.1.3.1. Piloting (Coastal Navigation)

                                     

                                      

           Piloting involves navigating in restricted waters with frequent determination of position relative to geographic and hydrographic features. Piloting may be defined as the determination of the position and the direction of the movements of a vessel involving frequent or continuous reference to landmarks, aids to navigation and depth soundings . Land marks such as natural land features, structures and other objects ashore which although not constructed for that purpose, can guide the mariner. Piloting is done only in coastal water where we have a sight on land. Piloting normally provides a vessel’s position with precision and accuracy. The term aids to navigation mean any object or device, external to a vessel, that is used to assist a navigator in fixing his position or determining a safe course. Lighthouses, light buoys, beacons, towers, churches, mountains are few examples for aids to navigation.

              Man first directed his movements on land by referring to familiar objects and views. When he took to the water to transport himself and his goods, he carried over the same techniques. Later, when water travel became more widely practiced man-made aids to navigation. Now he is aided by modern developments such as radio, radar and electronic depth sounders which vastly expand the navigator’s range of perception. Because these devices are electronic extensions of the senses of sight and sound, and are frequently used in modern piloting.