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| Seattle, WA March 15, 1999 | Number 5 | ||||
 | | | | Sextant Practice Class Canceled... Seattle, WA, Mar 13 class — as of 7:30 am it looks like we are rained out. Saturday class can join the Sunday class if it is clear then. Check here again Sunday morning. If we miss both of these we will post make up dates here, and if you can't make any of those, call the school to arrange for a private class. Also, we forgot to mention in class that this summer we will have special celestial nav classes through WindWorks Sailing School on board a 70-foot sailing vessel in Puget Sound. The half-day classes will include a lecture on the history of celestial navigation followed by instruction on sight taking and practice sights. These are the classes where every passing yacht that sees us all out on deck taking sights, yells to us "PUGET SOUND.... you are in Puget Sound, WA!"  | |
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| | | | Unique Chart deal for NW mariners Seattle, WA, Nov 1, 1998 — If you happen to want a chart of the Eastern end of Juan de Fuca Strait, we have got news for you. There is a new training chart on the market (18465 Eastern Juan de Fuca Str) which replaces the old West Coast training chart of Columbia River Entrance. This new TR happens to be the current chart of the region, which will remain most current for some time now, maybe a year or so. Hence we can get a chart of that region for $2.50 (training chart price) instead of the usual $15.95. At some point, however, there will be new issue of this chart, but the TR chart will not change, so this will then not be a prudent approach. But for a while we can save a bit. Also, in passing, we did indeed need a new TR for the West Coast. So we thank the powers that be for making this decision. The old one was not the best suited for training, although we did indeed use it for many years. The new one covers a region much better suited for practice plotting, and studying other special chart features such as VTS lanes, etc. | |
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| | | | NavRules for WinHelp updated Seattle, WA, Nov 22, 1998 — We have updated the NavRules to include several changes to the annexes that we just learned about and to correct a typo in one of the Rules, and to correct the captions to several fishing vessel light graphics. If you want the most up to date version you can download an upgrade or the full commercial version is available online. The latest version is 1.09. And we have a new printed version of NavRules for WinHelp for those who might prefer that. | |
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| | | | Mahina Cruising Seminars Seattle, WA, Oct 1, 1998 — David Burch from Starpath will join with Carol Hasse, Amanda Swan, and Robert Perry in John Neal's Offshore and Coastal Cruising Seminars. These popular 2-day seminars are held in San Francisco and Seattle. Seattle seminars are on Sat and Sun, March 13, 14 then 20, 21 and finally on 27, 28. They are held at the Residence Inn, SE corner of Lake Union. Mahina Tiara Sailing Expeditions for more information. | |
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| | | | Some High Seas Radio Stations to Close Seattle, WA, Mar 12, 1999 — We have just learned that some stations, including KMI at Point Reyes, CA, have requested from the FCC that they close operations for high seas phone services. They have not done so yet, but as soon as they get permission to do so, they close 90 days from then. There will be some stations still open, but AT&T stations will be closing as we understand it. We will do some research here and get a more specific notice up soon. They are encouraging the use of mimi M sat com in place of radiotelephone. In the meantime, if you had planned on these services, you can call 1-800-732-2255 to check with latest from AT&T high seas directly. | |
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| | | | Magnetic Variation Computer online Seattle, WA, Mar 12, 1999 — Magnetic variation worldwide can be found at this site from Pangolin Communications. Just click a point on their world map to read the variation. Important to read their disclaimers. Also includes a great circle range and bearing computer, but this function is not as thorough as those provided by NIMA... when they are working. Lately this wonderful set of resources from the DoD has not been functioning. | |
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| | | | Star Map Crafts Project! Seattle, WA, Mar 13, 1999 — We have finally completed the discussion of how to modify the star maps we sell to make a working tool for celestial navigators. With the map we ship 30 labels and instructions so you can complete the project at home. | |
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