The Neptune Warrior

The journey continues…

As I continue to embark on the challenging path toward obtaining my Coast Guard Captain’s License, today’s adventure brought me to the heart of navigation and plotting, guided by the seasoned wisdom of a dear friend and former Coast Guardsman. With a wealth of knowledge in rules, regulations, and the intricacies of maritime life, he serves not only as a mentor but also as the head deputy overseeing a dive team I regularly train.

Our day unfolded at their boathouse, where a deep dive into charts consumed two and a half hours of intense study. The mysteries of longitude and latitude became less enigmatic, and the art of charting started to unfold before my eyes. Despite my upbringing around lakes, the collisions regulations, aptly known as the “rules of the road,” introduced a whole new dimension to my maritime understanding.

Growing up on a lake instilled in me a foundation of good boating practices, yet the collisions regulations proved to be a fascinating yet complex realm. Even with prior practice, the nuances surrounding various vessel types, definitions, and the significance of marker buoys added layers to my maritime education.

Delving into the charting process, the transition from familiar topographic maps used in my military background brought about its own set of challenges. While I was no stranger to teaching topographic maps, navigating the seas through longitude and latitude presented a fresh perspective and a learning curve worth embracing.

Today’s experience wasn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it was a journey into the intricacies of maritime navigation, a melding of practical lake wisdom with the precision demanded by open waters. As I navigate the waves of this new chapter, I find solace in the wealth of insights gained, grateful for the mentorship that lights my path toward obtaining that OUPV License.