NAUT 001a

Introduction to Seamanship and Navigation Crew Level

Academic Units: 2
Spring and Fall Semesters

Prerequisites: None

Sections:
1) Monday, 2:00-4:50
2) Monday, 6:00-8:50
3) Tuesday, 6:00-8:50
4) Wednesday, 2:00-4:50
5) Wednesday, 6:00-8:50

Contact Hours:
Lectures – 15 hours, semester weeks 1-5
Laboratories – 35 hours, (3-hour Dockside Demonstration, 32 hours Sailing Voyage)

Location:
USC campus for lectures during weeks 1-5. Ports of LA and Long Beach for voyages and laboratories.

Course Description

This level one introductory nautical science class is taught in the classroom and aboard ship. The course provides an introduction to the history, technology and basics of operating and navigating sailing vessels at sea. Lectures focus on vessel construction, nomenclature, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics of sail, safety at sea, charting, geometry, and oceanography as pertinent to navigation. Students will apply the concepts and skills learned in the classroom to the safe operation and navigation of a working sail training vessel during a 2-day overnight ocean voyage. Students must demonstrate an understanding of US Coast Guard rules and admiralty laws governing piloting through commercial coastal waterways. Students also learn about 18th and 19th century wooden tallship construction, design, and rigging during a 1-day seminar conducted at the Port of Los Angeles.

Learning Objectives

Students gain knowledge and an introductory understanding of:

• Traditional and modern ship construction, design and vessel nomenclature
• Basic vessel physics, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics and performance
• Maritime history and changes in vessel design
• United States Coast Guard “Piloting Rules of the Sea Ways”, basic navigation admiralty law.
• Required safety gear and vessel equipment and their application
• Vessel piloting and seamanship skills under power and sail
• Navigation theory and at-sea chart and electronic navigation

USCG Accreditation:
This course is certificated by the United States Coast Guard for license track students pursuing a “Merchant Mariners Masters Credential” (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155).