Coastal Navigation and Pilotage

Navigate the coastline with skill, precision, and confidence.
In Coastal Navigation and Pilotage, Lt.-Commander John Irving, R.N., distills a lifetime of seafaring knowledge into a clear, practical handbook written for yachtsmen, sailing students, and anyone who dreams of mastering the navigator’s art.

From the moment the chart is spread on the cabin table to the final safe landfall, Irving leads you step by step through:

• Selecting and plotting a course on the Mercator chart

• Correcting for compass errors, lee-way, and tidal streams

• Mastering the current triangle and calculating positions

• Securing accurate fixes using bearings, soundings, and visual marks

• Interpreting buoys, beacons, and the international system of buoyage

• Understanding the “Rule of the Road” — the global regulations that prevent collisions at sea

Illustrated throughout with charts, diagrams, and practical examples, this volume remains one of the most reliable companions for both coastal cruisers and aspiring navigators. It blends theory and practice with the clarity of an instructor who has spent years teaching sailors how to find their way home — even in fog, tide, and uncertainty.

What this practical guide covers:

• Trusted by generations of navigators

• Ideal for RYA and maritime training students

• Beautifully illustrated and clearly written

• The Suitable choice for sailors, instructors, and enthusiasts of the sea