NAVIGATION
CONTESTS
WHAT ARE THEY?
A variant of the Predicted Log Contest,
popular in D/5 - a form of competition among Power Squadron members that puts
into practice what we learn in our courses. Some squadrons participate in
two or three contests each year : a squadron event, a regional multi-squadron
event, and then the district level contest. Navigation contests use basic
piloting skills such as:
Chart
plotting Calculating
times Taking bearings
Time keeping Calculating distances Plotting LOPs
Calculating
current Predicting current Plotting fixes
Dead reckoning
Helmsmanship 60 DStreet
And maybe
advanced techniques such as calculating a traverse
NOTE: No electronic aids are allowed except depth
finders for safety
WHAT HAPPENS ON CONTESTDAY?
Boat owners and observers attend a
Captain's meeting, show time as scheduled. The contest chairman covers the
rules & starting line particulars; paperwork is done. Each boat receives
a sealed envelope, not to be opened until contest start time. Envelope contains
the courses each boat is to run, with specified times on each course. An observer
is aboard each boat, representing the contest committee, to ensure the prescribed
courses and times are adhered to and that no rules are violated, Each boat
has a theoretical running time, called its "contest time", (or "Target
Time") which the contest committee knows and navigators of participabng
boats must calculate. The boat that gets back to the starting point closest
to its "contest time" wins.
WHAT MAKES IT A CONTEST?
You must compute your "contest
time." After completing the given course legs, you return to the starting
point. The course and time for that last leg is not given. You must determine
the course to take you "home" and calculate the time on that last
leg. You add your calculated time on last leg to the total time of the given
legs to determine your "contest time". Then you try to get home
across the start-finish line at precisely that time.
You are "locked in" on last leg. However, as
you turn to your final leg for home you must tell your on board observer the
course and speed you will run on the final leg. The speed is given as engine
RPM. You cannot change your speed on
the last leg. You may make one course change on the last leg in order
to cross the start-finish line between the committee boat and the buoy. In
fact, you must pass between them!
Position uncertainty.
You will not be where you think you are at the end of the prescribed legs.
Due to wind and current during the contest, it is unlikely that your boat
will be at the DR plotted position for the turn to the last leg and home.
You must be able to fix your actual position from time to time during the
contest in order to determine the "real course and speed" home that
you will need in order to hit your contest time on the nose at the line.