Compass Revision is independent and is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by American Sailing, US Sailing, the USCG, NOAA, or NWS. It does not award certification.

Compass USA

Compass USA study companion

U.S. Coastal Navigation Study Companion

Direct answer

Independent U.S. coastal-navigation preparation using NOAA sources, original plotting problems, and explicit certification boundaries. Compass provides independent knowledge preparation only. It does not administer an official examination, award certification, demonstrate practical competence, or replace current instructions from an authorized provider or authority. All chart extracts and plotting exercises are fictional and non-navigational.

Price
$59 once
Course size
10 modules
Access
Lifetime access
Format
Independent online study companion
Preview the free module

Product tour

Try the revision loop here

This is a working, course-specific sample. Read one rule, answer a real-style question, flip a recall card, and see how the next action is chosen.

Open the full free module

Position evidence and chart cross-checking

One rule, explained clearly

A fix is only as reliable as the observations and sources behind it. Plot independent position evidence, label the time, compare it with the expected track, and investigate any disagreement before reducing sea room. Electronic position is useful evidence, not permission to ignore the charted and observed situation.

Course route

Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor

1Free

Navigator Responsibility and Publications

The navigator's continuing responsibilities, publication checks, chart currency, notices, logs, and the limits of a pre-planned route.

Open module
2Full access

NOAA Charts, ENC Data, and U.S. Chart No. 1

ENC display concepts, NOAA Custom Chart, scale, symbols, notes, soundings, hazards, and the difference between source data and a printed plotting aid.

Open module
3Full access

Position, Distance, Speed, and Time

Latitude, longitude, nautical-mile scale, coordinates, distance measurement, speed-time-distance relationships, and unit discipline.

Open module
4Full access

True, Magnetic, and Compass Directions

True and magnetic references, variation, deviation, compass error, reciprocal directions, and documenting the source and date of corrections.

Open module
5Full access

Dead Reckoning, Estimated Position, and Fixes

Advancing position by course, speed and time; adding estimated environmental effects; and distinguishing a fix from an assumed position.

Open module
6Full access

Tides, Water Levels, and Clearance

NOAA station predictions, datum, time zones, height interpolation, depth, draft, under-keel clearance, bridge clearance, and weather effects.

Open module
7Full access

Currents, Set, Drift, and Leeway

NOAA current predictions, direction conventions, rate, current vectors, wind-driven leeway, and deriving environmental effects from observed positions.

Open module
8Full access

Bearings, Running Fixes, and Clearing Lines

Lines of position, bearing selection, running fixes, advancing lines, clearing bearings, transits, distance off, and geometry.

Open module
9Full access

Course to Steer and Ground Track

Vector triangles for desired ground track, boat speed, current, leeway, time, distance made good, and cross-checks.

Open module
10Full access

Passage Planning and Electronic Cross-Checks

Appraisal, route, tides, currents, weather, traffic, daylight, pilotage, alternates, electronics, monitoring, and loss-of-system contingencies.

Open module

What the companion includes

Clear knowledge and practical boundaries

  • Original lessons and explanations
  • At least 18 explained questions and 12 flashcards per module
  • Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
  • United States terminology, jurisdiction, and primary-source context
  • Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge

Not included

  • American Sailing certification or an official exam
  • Instructor-observed practical assessment
  • Copied textbook or examination questions
  • State-by-state legal advice
  • A guarantee that a charter operator will accept a qualification or resume

Editorial record

Primary-source review

Original content is reviewed against published standards and current U.S. government sources. State, local, vessel-specific, and operator requirements must be checked separately.