ADVANCED COASTAL NAVIGATION COURSE

USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 12-8 D7

CHARLESTON, SC

OUR COURSE IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD

Unfortunately, due to lack of materials, we have had to put this course on hold.  The remainder of these pages are left intact for informational purposes.  If you might be interested in learning more about Coastal Navigation, please contact us by clicking here.

Welcome to Flotilla 12-8's ACN Course web site.  We are pleased to present information on this and other associated pages to promote and supplement our course.  Classes generally meet from 1900 to 2100 (7:00pm to 9:00pm) each Monday evening at Coast Guard Base Charleston, SC, at the west end of Tradd Street, although the class may decide on another night and/or time.

The ACN course is one of several Public Education (PE) courses offered to the public by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

We are currently using the Fourth Edition of the student textbook which provides a comprehensive exposure to the latest techniques in coastal navigation as required by the Coast Guard for its Auxiliary Operations Specialists. This edition incorporates many useful comments from instructors and students as well as advances in technology (e.g., night-vision devices, GPS, etc.).

The course consists of thirteen chapters which are outlined on another page.  The first six chapters cover basic plotting (dead reckoning), while the remaining chapters include the effects of tides and currents as well as other advanced navigation concepts.  Upon successful completion of the final examination, the ACN certificate will be presented.  A course schedule may be seen by clicking here.

If you or any of your friends in the Greater Charleston area are interested in signing up for our course, click here to drop us a note and we'll put you on the list.  Space is limited, so it's first come-first served.   A word of caution, however -- this course requires a good deal of study.  Students have found that at least four to six hours of study are required each week.  Those who are not able to devote needed time to their studies typically do not pass the exam.

Please feel free to forward a link to this website to your friends and check back often for any changes to the site.

Click HERE for a map to Coast Guard Base Charleston where our classes are held.

Of General Interest

Moon Phase/Tide Correlation - Did you ever notice that there's a correlation between the phases of the moon and tides?  Well, there is, as we illustrate in the ACN course.  While the information offered here seems to be unique for tides in Charleston harbor, boaters in other areas may be able to check their tide tables and find a correlation.  

Whenever it's Full Moon or New Moon, high tides in Charleston harbor occur around 8 o'clock morning and evening (give or take about 20 minutes).  When it's First Quarter or Last Quarter, look for the low tides around the same time.  This is for Eastern Standard Time -- when Daylight Saving time is in effect, be sure to add an hour to these times.

Waving Flag - Would you like a waving American Flag that lives at the bottom right of your computer screen?  You can download one for free from the DeskFlag website.  This flag may be configured to remain on your screen for all programs or just on the desk top.  Click on the flag at the right to go to the DeskFlag web site.

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Last updated: May 14, 2006