Course FAQ’s: ASA 105 Coastal Navigation

What will you get out of the ASA Coastal Navigation course?

This course will teach you the skills to competently navigate a vessel in coastal waters. Essentially this course is the classroom phase of the ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising certificate and you must complete the ASA 105 before doing the ASA 106.

How much will it cost including exam fees?

It is often run as a correspondence course so will only cost around $250 (approx. £160, or 220 EUROS) depending on where and when you take it.

What are your limits on passing this Coastal Navigation course?

You will have the navigation skills to begin the Advanced Coastal Cruising Certificate. If you are following the ASA syllabus and have just completed the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certificate then your limits are in sailing a vessel of up to 45 feet in inland or coastal waters.

Is it theory, practical or both?

If ‘practical’ means going out to sea to do this course, this course is purely theory. However you will be plotting and planning routes at sea on a chart so there is a practical element in this regard. In using charts you will become familiar with the symbols for various buoys and lighthouses, shoals and landmarks for navigation purposes. 

Where can you take it?

You can take this course almost anywhere with an internet connection. Many sailing schools have email seminars as part of the course package, so you must make time to discuss with the tutors your issues and successes – they will help you learn. 

Can you take it in another country?

See above – in theory, yes.

What level of experience do you need before you begin the ASA 105 Coastal Navigation course?

You need no previous experience to do the course itself. However, you must have a certain amount of sailing experience to continue onto the ASA 106 course.

It will naturally advance your cruising skills should you have the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certificate.

Again, if you have state certification to use a vessel and want to extend your cruising range without the time and expense of following the rest of the ASA syllabus then this may be of some use.

Duration - How long does it take?

You should spend around 18 hours on the course. Some sailing schools expect you to do this over winter, so between January and April you would do the 18 hours with email meetings with the sailing school during this period.

What does the Coastal Navigation course involve?

Full details of the ASA course can be found on the ASA website here. It enables you to navigate by day or night in coastal or inland waters. As discussed above, there are no sailing skills as part of this course.

How do you progress after completing it?

The formal route up the ASA syllabus is to do the ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising certificate.

Does it give you international accreditation?

Is short, No!

Further Resources:

Take a look here to see what extra skills you will learn when taking the ASA 105 course.