Tiny’s Amazing Atlantic Charity Challenge : James ‘Tiny’ Little Rowing the Atlantic Ocean for the Davenport Trust – Atlantic Rowing 2005 : Navigation and Risks

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The Atlantic Ocean

Navigation and Risks

Preparation for Sea

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Navigating the Atlantic Ocean My navigation kit comprises: Charts for the north Atlantic, the Canary Islands, Antigua, Barbados and Guadeloupe. These charts give me all the information I need about the area I am crossing, the expected currents and typical conditions and I will be plotting my course on them. A chart plotter, pencils, and trusty rubber. These are the navigator’s tools for chart work. Satellite navigation equipment.* Two magnetic steering compasses, one mounted on the mast above the cabin, the other between my knees on the deck. I will use these compasses more than anything else. I will look at my position on the chart daily and will decide which direction to steer for the day. A hand bearing compass. This is more of a collision avoidance aid rather than a steering compass. When my radar detector alarms, I will set the compass on the ship as it appears, and if the bearing of the ship is the same or similar five minutes later, I will be calling them on the VHF radio to alert them of my presence.	A Garmin fixed GPS (Global positioning System) This uses a constellation of satellites to fix my position down to around five meters. It will also tell me my course and speed over ground and the distance covered. A hand held GPS for my emergency bag. A smaller but just as effective GPS, if I have an electrical failure or have to take to my liferaft it will be very useful. Astro navigation In addition to GPS, I will be navigating in the traditional method using the following; A Cooke Kingston sextant. This instrument measures the declination of heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon, planets and stars. Declination means angle above the horizon. The angle is used in conjunction with the exact time of day to give me my position. Nautical almanac. This gives me information about the heavenly bodies I will be using to find my position. Sight reduction tables. These contain all the corrections for the original measurement from the sextant and refine the figures to give great accuracy. A chronometer. Precise measurement of time is essential for astro navigation. I will be using a Timex Ironman which has a good backlight and is of rugged design. Plotting sheets Once I have all of the corrected information about the heavenly bodies, I need to get it onto paper to make sense of it and to give me a latitude and longitude.

The Risks of Rowing the Atlantic Ocean Shipping hazards in the Atlantic Ocean Apart from the usual hazards of everyday life, Tiny will be facing the risk of tropical storms, sharks, whales and ships in the night.	Capsize is a rare occurrence on this route, but the boat is designed to self-right. Salt sores, sunburn and skin problems are the regular snags with ocean rowing. Physical and mental preparation are essential. On the team are two top sports psychologists. In the bright side, Tiny will not be facing the multiple hazards of city life. Natural hazards in the Atlantic Ocean << back \| next >>


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