Remember the Navigation “Rule of 60”
It’s a good idea to keep paper charts on board and remember techniques like the “Rule of 60.”
Generated With Gemini
The other day, I was having a conversation about navigation techniques with a veteran pilot, and he mentioned the term, “Rule of 60.” I hadn’t heard that in quite some time, but I recall my first editor discussing it in the 90s when we were making a long run using paper charts. So I pulled out my phone and looked it up. What is the Rule of 60 you wonder? Here’s a brief explanation.
The 60-to-1 rule is a principle used in navigation, both in flying and in boating, stating that after traveling 60 nautical miles (NM), a one-degree error in your course will result in your being one nautical mile off track. It is a mathematical rule of thumb used to estimate angles for determining track and heading changes. For example, if you are one mile off course after boating for 10 miles, you are six degrees off course.
This rule is a technique that supports the fundamental responsibilities of safe vessel operation outlined in the Navigation Rules, or COLREGS. These rules, which include maintaining a proper lookout, proceeding at a safe speed, and determining the risk of collision, are vital to preventing accidents. The rule is particularly useful for correcting a course due to factors like wind or current.
Read Next: Teach Your Crew To Operate Marine Electronics
With modern GPS and chartplotter technology allowing you to make course corrections onscreen in real time, the Rule of 60 now seems to be a relic of the paper-chart era, but it’s still good to know and even practice to increase your nautical knowledge, especially if your electronics suite goes kaput and you’re smart enough to still carry paper charts on board as a backup.
What are some other old-school navigational saws and techniques that you don’t hear about too often these days? DM us on Facebook @boatingmag or on Instagram @boatingmagazine, or email us at [email protected] and we’ll do a deep dive and write it up.
The post Remember the Navigation “Rule of 60” appeared first on Boating Mag.