Ecuadorian Navigation
Navigation in Ecuador:
Meridian: A circle perpendicular to the Equator. The prime meridian is located at 0 degrees longitude in Greenwich. Equator: The largest circle perpendicular to the meridians. Parallels: Smaller circles parallel to the Equator. Special parallels include the Tropics of Cancer (23.27° N) and Capricorn (23.27° S), the Arctic Circle (66.33° N), and the Antarctic Circle (66.33° S). Latitude: The angular distance north or south of the Equator (0° to 90° N or S). Longitude: The angular distance east or west of the prime meridian (0° to 180° E or W). Magnetic Variation/Declination: The angle between the magnetic meridian and the geographic meridian, which changes over time. Compass: A navigational instrument showing direction. Types include magnetic compasses, gyrocompasses, and others. Properties include sensitivity and stability.
Tides: Periodic and alternative movements of rising and falling water. Causes: Primarily the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon. High Tide: The highest water level. Low Tide: The lowest water level. Vertical Movement: The rise and fall of the tide. Horizontal Movement: The flow of the tide. Tidal Period: The time between two consecutive high or low tides. Mean Sea Level (MSL): The average water level over a long period. Chart Datum: The reference level for depths on nautical charts (e.g., Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)). Tidal Range: The difference between high and low tide levels. Active/Inactive Tides: Active tides have a larger range, occurring during syzygies (sun, moon, and Earth aligned), while inactive tides have a smaller range, occurring during quadratures (sun and moon at right angles to each other). Factors affecting tides include the positions of the sun and moon, winds, currents, atmospheric pressure, and topography. Tidal Lag: A delay in the time of high tide due to factors like the sun and moon’s positions. Tide Gauges: Instruments that measure and record tidal levels. Tide Tables: Publications providing predicted tide times and heights. Reference Level: A standard level used for tidal measurements (e.g., LAT).
Time:
Civil Time: The interval of time between two successive passages of the sun across a meridian. Solar Time: Time based on the apparent motion of the sun. Universal Time (UT): Time based on the Greenwich meridian (0° longitude). Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): The mean solar time at the Greenwich meridian. Local Civil Time: The time at a specific location, based on the sun’s passage across its meridian. Official Time: The time officially adopted by a country. Ship’s Time: The time kept on board a ship. Legal Time: The time officially used in a specific time zone.
Charts and Publications:
Nautical Charts: Charts published by hydrographic offices, containing information on coastlines, ports, dangers, currents, winds, and climate. Light Lists: Publications listing the locations and characteristics of navigational lights. Types of lights include:
- Ordinary Lights: Lights with a single color and appearance.
- Sector Lights: Lights showing different colors or appearances from different sectors.
- Directional Lights: Lights with increased intensity in a specific direction.
- Leading Lights: Two or more lights used to define a direction.
- Fog Signals: Signals used in low visibility conditions.
- Aero-maritime Lights: Lights with high intensity for both air and sea navigation.
- Unattended Lights: Lights operating automatically.
Light characteristics include: Fixed: Continuous light; Flashing: Short, regular flashes of light; Group Flashing: Two or more flashes at regular intervals; Isophase: Equal durations of light and eclipse; Occulting: A sudden eclipse of a light; Group Occulting: Two or more eclipses grouped together; Interrupted: Alternating light and dark periods; Group Interrupted: Groups of interrupted lights; Morse Code Signals: Lights flashing in Morse code; Fixed with Intensities: A fixed light with varying intensities.
Radio Aids to Navigation: Publications listing the frequencies, schedules, and locations of radio beacons. Notices to Mariners: Weekly publications providing updates on navigational information. Navigation Warnings: Urgent warnings about navigational hazards. Logbook: A record of nautical events. Catalog of Nautical Charts and Publications: A catalog of available charts and publications.
Radar: A radio detection and ranging system that measures distances electronically. The display shows distances and bearings. Markings include fore-aft lines and true north-south lines. Range depends on power, receiver sensitivity, antenna height, object size, and atmospheric conditions. Errors can occur due to various factors.
Radar Buttons: Controls for adjusting range, variable range markers (VRM), and bearing lines (LBA). Errors can occur in bearing and distance measurements.
Radar Perturbations: Sea clutter (reflection from waves), rain or hail echoes, multiple echoes, and shadow areas.
Radar Reflectors: Mechanical reflectors (metallic trihedral planes), electronic reflectors (transponders), and radar beacons (transmitting identification signals).
AIS (Automatic Identification System): A system providing information on vessels’ position, course, speed, and identification. Two types exist: type B (course, speed, and identification) and type A (additional information).
Rhumb Line Formulas:
Direct: Calculating the latitude and longitude of a destination point given the starting point, course, and distance.
L = dx cos r (Increment of latitude)
a = dx sin r (Deviation)
L = 
(Increment of longitude)
Inverse: Calculating the course and distance between two points given their latitude and longitude.
a = ?lx cos lm (Deviation)
tan r = 
(Course)
d = ?lx cos r (Distance)