Navigation and Observation

The navigation and observation is completed on the top deck with Captain Mike. The navigation section is very similar to the Coastal Navigation Lab that we complete in class. We will not be discussing that section here. What is different is the observation section. In this section, we measure wave height and direction, wind speed and direction, and sea-state using the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. The sea-state is a very important measurement for making observations at sea. For example, observing and counting dolphins in a calm Beaufort Wind Force 0

day is much different than on a Beaufort Wind Force 4 day with strong wind and large waves. On a Beaufort Wind Force 4 day you may not even see any dolphins all day long even though they may be present.

Captain Mike explaining triangulation.

This is the Beaufort Scale, it describes the wind, waves and has pictures for each different force category on the Beaufort Scale.

This day was Beaufort Scale Force 4, it was pretty rough in the afternoon.

Measuring the wave direction. Its calmer here, this is probably Beaufort Scale Force 2.