marine navigation

Marine navigation is the process of planning, recording, and controlling the movement of a sailboat, power boat, yacht, or ship from one place to another. The word navigate is derived from the Latin roots navis meaning "ship" and agere meaning "to move" or "to direct." Different navigational techniques have evolved over the ages in different cultures, but all involve locating one's position compared to known locations or patterns.

Celestial navigation

Celestial navigation has often been used by sailors to navigate across the oceans of the world. It is used to determine your location by referencing the sun, moon, planets and stars. This type of marine navigation requires a sextant (a precision navigation instrument used to determine angles), a nautical almanac, a set of sight reduction tables, a chronometer (or watch), and a radio signal used to determine accurate time.

Navigation Aids - U.S.A.

Aids to Navigation — Road Signs of the Waterway

The waters of the United States and its territories are marked to assist navigation by the U.S. Aids to Navigation System.