USPS Course : Junior Navigator: Sextant. Navigate boat by stars, planets and sun. Instructor Joe MacPhee, Dave Jones.

Junior Navigation is the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation, followed by the Navigation course.
It is designed as a practical "how to" course.

Subject matter includes:

Precise time determination
Use of the Nautical Almanac
Taking sextant sights of the sun
Reducing sights to establish lines of position
Special charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation
Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft

Students with Sextant

Links:

USPS Website: Junior Navigation
Sextant on YouTube: Stan shows us the sextant
Sextant on YouTube: Sextant
The American Practical Navigator: Nathaniel Bowditch
Interactive Planetarium: Sky View Cafe
US Naval Observatory: Master Clock Time
US Naval Observatory: Telephone Time

Joe MacPhee and Dave Jones

Joe Mac Phee (SN) has been sailing the waters of New England for over 40 years. He sails his ketch out of Narragansett Bay. He is a Past Commander of Nobscot Squadron, Past District Commander of District 12 and Past Captain of the Boston Navigators Club. He started teaching courses in 1972 and has taught the JN (Junior Navigation) and N (Navigation) courses. He has also taught courses in Advanced Piloting, Vessel Examiner, and Marine Electronics.

Dave Jones (SN) learned celestial navigation in the US Navy during Korea and practiced it in three Marion-Bermuda sailing races (overall winning navigator in one!). He has taught both JN and N at Nobscot for many years. His 25-foot Whaler started life as a drug runner in the Bahamas and now leads a more peaceful and less exciting life at a slip on the Charles.

Contact Instructor at

Joe MacPhee: Email P/D/C Joe MacPhee
Dave Jones: Email Dave Jones

For course dates, check the "Calendar". If not scheduled, call Call SEO P/C Jim Mahoney, AP at 508-655-5244. Courses will be offered based on Member interest and requests.