Safety; Position Confirmation At The Start Of A Passage; Verifying Computed Positions; Plot Frequency - Raymarine ST5000+ Owner's Handbook Manual

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Chapter 3: Advanced Operation

Safety

Passage making in Track mode removes the chores of compensating
for wind and tidal drift, and will aid precise navigation. However, it is
important to maintain an accurate log with regular plots.

Position confirmation at the start of a passage

At the start of a passage you must always confirm the fix given by the
position transducer, using an easily identifiable fixed object. Check for
fixed positional errors and compensate for them.

Verifying computed positions

Verify the computed position with a dead reckoned position,
calculated from the average course steered and the distance logged.

Plot frequency

In open water, plots should be at least hourly.
In confined waters, or when potential hazards are near, plots should be
more frequent.
Local variations in radio signal quality, and changes in the tidal stream,
will produce deviations from the desired track.

Setting waypoints

When setting waypoints, remember that deviations will occur.
Thoroughly check along each track.
Check up to 0.5 nm each side of the track to ensure that there are no
hazards within the zone.
Note: In order for the waypoint advance function to work successfully,
the last four characters of adjacent waypoint names must be different.

General

The use of Track mode will enable accurate track keeping even in
complex navigational situations. However, it cannot remove the
responsibility of the skipper to ensure the safety of his vessel at all
times by careful navigation and frequent position checks.