Navigation Classes
Online and In-Person
Preparation for the Salish Sea or anywhere in the World
Preparation for the Salish Sea or anywhere in the World
Skills & Knowledge for the Salish Sea and Beyond
The Salish Sea and Inside Passage present some of the world's peak challenges to boaters. Solid navigation skills are key to staying safe as you find your way through the intricate passages, riddled with invisible rocks and reefs, and complicated by huge tides & currents, plus dynamic weather. Anyone training to navigate the Salish Sea is prepared to cruise anywhere in the world.
Founded on the Internationally recognized US Sailing/US Powerboating Coastal Navigation Certification course, Shearwater University divides the curriculum into two levels:
- Navigation Essentials provides the foundation for all boaters.
- Coastal Navigation advances the skills & knowledge for cruisers on the Salish Sea and anywhere in the world. Students have the option to test for Certification.
Navigation Essentials
Online • On-Demand • Self-Paced!
Shearwater University now offers this highly acclaimed foundational navigation class from the comfort and safety of your home, on your schedule, when you need it. Taught using professional education standards by a leader in Northwests boating instruction.
For all boaters venturing onto the Salish Sea or any body of water, this course covers the foundation levels of the Coastal Navigation Certification curriculum.
Topics Include:
- Introduction to mercator marine navigation charts
- Types of electronic charts, their benefits and limitations
- US Aids to Navigation
- Proficient use of plotting Tools
- Plotting courses and routes
- Determining your position - different methods
- Tide & current science
- Using Tide tables & Current tables in navigation
- Marine weather forecast - access & interpretation
- Identifying & mitigating for hazards
- Trip planning
- Powerful navigation apps & other electronic resources
Learning Format:
- Navigation Essentials comes to you! The same course and expert, personalized instruction, On-Demand, in your home.
- 16 hours of expert instruction - including practice time - broken into digestible modules. Choose your own pace.
Prerequisites: None
Coastal Navigation
US Sailing & US Powerboating Certification Class
Skills & knowledge for true cruising throughout the Salish Sea, Inside Passage, and beyond. Advanced methods built on the skills from Navigation Essentials. Culminates with the US Sailing/US Powerboating Coastal Navigation Certification Exam, for those who elect to certify.
Next Class: October 25-26, 2025
Includes the US Sailing/US Powerboating Coastal Navigation Certification - internationally recognized
One full weekend in the classroom (two 8-hour days)
Live - in person - Anacortes, Washington
Topics Include:
- Advanced use of charts; updating charts using the Local Notices to Mariners
- International navigation aids, and using the US Coast Guard Light List
- Coping with compass deviation
- Using relative bearings, danger bearings & back bearings to navigate through challenging waters
- Plotting a running fix; Radar fixes
- Tidal correction tables; Rule of 12ths
- Current correction tables; Rule of 3rds
- Correcting a course for current effects
- Weather science: global, regional & local effects
- Strategies for working with wind
- Fog science & navigation tactics in fog
Prerequisites:
Navigation Essentials (online, on-demand) or equivalent training.
Your Instructor
Phyllis Woolwine is a US Coast Guard licensed Captain (Master, Near Coastal), US Sailing and US Powerboating Certified Navigation Instructor, as well as on-water Certified Instructor for all levels of sailing and powerboating. She has trained many hundreds of people on the water (on over 100 uniquely different boats of all types and sizes), in the classroom, and online.
"Captain Wooly" has spent her life on the sea - cruising and racing sailboats, paddling canoes and kayaks, and operating all sizes of commercial & recreational powerboats in SE Alaska. She took her first cross-bearing fixes at age 10 in the Canadian Gulf Islands, under her father's tutelage. She has spent most of her adult life providing planning, navigation and leadership for everything from crewed Alaskan charters to extended kayaking expeditions on the Salish Sea. From age 10 through the present day, she has explored all parts of the Salish Sea and the Inside Passage, including 18 years in SE Alaska. Phyllis is a career-long educator (National Board Certified Teacher) with extensive experience teaching all types and ages of learners in the classroom, on the water, in the wilderness, in universities, high schools and private settings.