We met at the Marshy Point Nature Center that is a very nice public park only a mile or two from Maryland Marina. Check it out at the following website:

Baltimore Recreation - countyparks - marshypoint

The course, taught by Gary Kerr, local marine surveyor, covered a lot of territory in three hours. Topics covered included: basics of the geographic coordinate system of Latitudes and Longitudes; chart reading; position determination; references; the magnetic compass; heading conversions; plotting tools; and a wealth of other information. Gary taught us to think in terms of being socked in by thick fog at any moment. How would you chart a course to a safe haven? Oh, you'll use your GPS you say? Well, the satellites are down to replace batteries so what do you do now? You'd better have a fair idea of where you are at any time you are underway.

We learned that the Coast Pilot is available online:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot3.htm

and, that you can also get the Atlantic Light List and Notice to Mariners online as well. Going to a new place? You should consult the Coast Pilot for information you may need to know.

Gary recommended that we have on board the NOAA charts for your cruising area in addition to the chart books common today. It is very difficult to plot an accurate course across a spiral binding. NOAA charts can be had at numerous places on the web.