Taking Soundings – At the Practical Oars Charge Cert. Course
Bow person casting lead line to record depth

Bow person casting lead line to record depth

One of the oldest nautical skills mariners used was to take and record the depth of water they had to navigate. Invading Norsemen, Vikings would use this skill to navigate their way into estuaries and up rivers, plunging themselves further inland.

A simple lead line is used with intervening measurements along the rope. As part of this year’s Intermediate Oars Charge Certificate course scouts prepared such lines and put them into practice white navigating their course in Malahide’s Lower Estuary. The line is simply made by using different materials at one meter intervals tied along the line. The first meter could be a ribbon followed at next meter coloured wool etc. A weight is used for the end of the line. Instruction from the coxswain was given to the bow person to give depth. The line is then swung forward of the bow and when perpendicular to the bow, depth is shouted back “Depth one meter”.

Man overboard drill

Man overboard drill

Today’s exercise concluded with “ Man overboard drill” , picking up a mooring buoy , navigating a crowed anchorage taking into account both wind and tide. Well done to all who passed ,who will be presented  Certs at their next uniform night.

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