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I've got several GPS systems, and usually take one when I travel. But I
should explain myself more clearly.  Perhaps others can suggest a receptive
ship that I could contact for my project, or comment on my plan.

(Doug, I just saw your post as I finished this message:  thanks for any tips
you can give me about ships that might help out.)

The exercise (= holiday) I have in mind is to purchase passage on a
commercial ship as a passenger.  I would try to do all the navigation in the
privacy of my own cabin, as if I did not have access to electronic devices.
I only would ask the bridge officers for my height of eye, course and speed,
times of course/speed changes, and weather information (particularly wind
speed and direction).

I would take my celestial sights from a convenient place that does not get
in the way of the crew.  Then in my cabin I would try to maintain a DR plot,
updated at sea by my celestial LOP's for EPs and fixes.  I would try to do a
full "days work at sea", following the US Navy CN guidelines for that
process, but following the Power & Sail Squadron's methods.  I would refer
to the usual sources of information on currents, and try to work out leeway.

I would take my own charts, plotting paper, and accessory books on the
cruise, so that I could work as independantly as possible from the working
bridge crew.  I would use digital watches that I calibrated on shore for
several months prior to leaving on the trip.  I would take my laptop, so
that I could use computer tools to check my handwork, as well as do other
things (build a webpage of the experience, etc).

At the end of the passage I would hope to sit down with a bridge officer, to
retrospectively compare my plot with their actual positions.

So I need a receptive ship, suggestions about the best geography for such a
trip, and suggestions about the best time of year weather-wise, for optimum
sextant-viewing.  I could fly anywhere to join the ship for a particular
passage, if there is a way of planning it sufficiently ahead of time.
Ideally we would like for my family to fly to the destination, to join me
for a holiday when I arrive.

I'm no stranger to shipboard life -- worked on a Coast Guard icebreaker and
commercial fishing ships and boats in my younger years.

Getting that much time of work is not easy, but with lead time hopefully I
could find a way.

Jim Thompson
jim2@jimthompson.net
http://jimthompson.net/boating/Celestial_Navigation.htm
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fred Hebard
> You could take along a handheld GPS to keep your position, but an
> excuse to check the ship's log should not be overlooked!

> From: Royer, Doug
> I'll do some checking in the next week and I'll contact you with
> any info

   

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