When operating a commercial fishing boat, a captain and crew simply do not jump aboard and take their chances with finding a fresh catch. Although the whereabouts of the catch may be assumed to lie in a specific area, the crew must still plot a course to get from point A to point B. In this course you will learn the logistics for plotting a course and maneuvering a boat along a predetermined route. Specifically, you will learn the intricacies of monitoring depth and the effects of tides on the vessel and on the potential catch. You will address tidal patterns, develop a vocabulary of tidal terms with definitions, and learn to master reading tidal charts. You will learn the effects of tidal streams and the process for interpolating tidal rates. Tides will be measured for headlands, channels and overfalls. Our expert instructor will then guide you through the steps for assessing depths and clearance by focusing on the height of tide and depth of water, and finding the appropriate depth in which to anchor. Lastly, using this knowledge you will learn to plot a course taking into consideration leeway allowance, compass conversion, reticular tidal streams, rotary tidal streams and procedures for sailing to windward.