Navigation begins with one simple and basic precept; "knowing where you are"!
While here at BlueSeas, we will deal with marine navigation specifically, it does not matter whether you are driving, flying, or walking; you cannot get to where you are going without first knowing where you are starting from." (Our apologies for stating the obvious)
So our aim throughout the following pages is to provide you with the best (free) navigation resources available to help you in getting to where you want to go.
"The science of navigation can be taught, but the art of navigation must be developed from experience."
Please note: many of these files are quite large and will require substantial time to download over a dial up connection.
Quite simply, this is the acknowledged bible of marine navigation worldwide. No other publication offers such a detailed look into the various types of navigation used today. From deduced (dead) reckoning, coastal piloting, electronic & satellite navigation, to celestial navigation.
Also included in this book, is detailed information on the subjects of most concern to those of us who venture offshore.
File Size - 41.2 Mb.
American Practical Navigator - Download
Chart No. 1, incorporates the symbols contained in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). Where appropriate, each page lists separately the current preferred U.S. symbols shown on charts of the National Ocean Service (NOS) and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Also shown in separate columns are the IHO symbols used on foreign charts reproduced by NIMA.
For more information regarding the use of the chart, the practice of navigation, chart sounding datum, and visual and audible aids to navigation, the user should refer to Pub. No. 9 - American Practical Navigator (Bowditch).
File Size - 37.6 Mb.
Chart #1 - Download
Distances Between United States Ports is published by the Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Distances Between United States Ports contains distances from a port of the United States to other ports in the United States, and from a port in the Great Lakes in the United States to Canadian ports in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
File Size - 1.6 Mb.
Distances Between U.S. Ports - Download
The United States Coast Pilot® consists of a series of nautical publications that cover a variety of information important to captains and navigators of coastal and intracoastal waters of the United States and the Great Lakes. The U.S. Coast Pilot’s are issued in nine volumes and are revised annually. These publications contain a wide variety of supplemental information that cannot be readily portrayed on a nautical chart.
U.S. Coast Pilots
The purpose of the International Code of Signals is to provide ways and means of communication in situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially when language difficulties arise. In the preparation of the Code, account was taken of the fact that wide application of radiotelephony and radiotelegraphy can provide simple and effective means of communication in plain language whenever language difficulties are not an issue.
File Size - 1.2 Mb.
International Code of Signals - Download
The International Rules are applicable on waters outside of established navigational lines of demarcation. The lines are called COLREGS Demarcation Lines and delineate those waters upon which mariners shall comply with the Inland and International Rules. COLREGS Demarcation Lines are contained in this book.
The Inland Rules in this book replace the old Inland Rules, Western Rivers Rules, Great Lakes Rules, their respective pilot rules and interpretive rules, and parts of the Motorboat Act of 1940. Many of the old navigation rules were originally enacted in the last century.
File Size - 991 Kb.
Navigation Rules - Download
These charts are not intended to be used alone but in conjunction with other navigational aids. These charts present, in graphic form, averages obtained from data gathered over many years in meteorology and oceanography to aid the navigator in selecting the quickest and safest routes. Included are explanations of how to use each type of information depicted on these charts.
You can either download a particular month or download the entire set of 13.
Average file size - 11.5 Mb per chart.
Pilot Charts for the Major Oceans of the World
World Port Distances (Pub. 151) is a publication that lists the distances between major ports. Reciprocal distances between two ports may differ due to different routes chosen because of currents and climatic conditions.
To reduce the number of listings needed, junction points along major routes are used to consolidate routes converging from different directions.
The positions listed for ports are central positions that most represent each port. The distances are between positions shown for each port and are generally over routes that afford the safest passage. Most of the distances represent the shortest navigable routes, but in some cases, longer routes, that take advantage of favorable currents, avoidance of ice or other dangers to navigation, or to follow required separation schemes have been used.
This publication is corrected using Notices to Mariners.
File size - 1.5 Mb.
Distances Between Ports - Download
Sight Reduction Tables are used in celestial navigation to "reduce" a sextant observation of a astronomical body in order to find your latitude and longitude. There are several styles of these tables, differing only by the precision provided the user.
The two most common Tables are H.O. 229 and H.O. 249.
H.O. 229 Sight Reduction Tables for Marine Navigation is the standard set of sight reduction tables. Consisting of six volumes with each volume covering a 15° range of latitudes (interchangeable for northern and southern hemispheres). These tables of precomputed altitudes and azmuths are used to solve for position.
File size - 32.5 Mb.
Sight Reduction TablesThe World Port Index (Pub. 150) contains the location, characteristics, known facilities, and available services of major ports, shipping facilities and oil terminals throughout the world (approximately 64,000 entries).
The data in this publication is mostly tabular and contains listings of available services for each port. Of particular interest are the applicable volume of Sailing Directions and the number of the harbor chart.
New editions are published bi-annually. The publication is arranged geographically, with an alphabetical index.
This book is corrected using Notices to Mariners.
File size - 2.9 Mb.
World Port Index (2009) - Download
Light lists provide the captain and navigator information on lighted and unlighted buoys, radiobeacons, sound signals, daybeacons, radio direction finder calibration stations, and racons which are located on waters used for general navigation.
Included are both U.S. Light Lists and Foreign List of Lights. Each volume contains aids to navigation in geographic order
These books are corrected using Notices to Mariners.
USCG Light Lists & NGA List of Lights
Sailing Directions can be thought of as Coast Pilots for foreign waters. Each volume provides a wealth of information useful to both the captain and navigator. They present material that is typically not available on area charts.
Included are both Planning (broad coverage by ocean basin) and Enroute (offering detailed information.
These books are corrected using Notices to Mariners.
Sailing Directions (Enroute & Planning)