There are three types of marine navigation: electronic, celestial, and terrestrial.
Electronic navigation uses electronic aids to navigate, such as GPS. Celestial navigation uses the sun, moon, and stars to determine a vessel’s position. Terrestrial navigation uses landmarks on land to orient a vessel at sea.
GPS is the most common form of electronic navigation. It is a satellite-based system that provides accurate information about a vessel’s position. GPS can be used for both small craft and large vessels.
Celestial navigation is used to determine a vessel’s position by taking measurements of the sun, moon, and stars. This method was traditionally used before GPS became available. Nowadays, it is still used by some mariners as a backup in case of electronics failure.
Terrestrial navigation involves using landmarks on land to fix a vessel’s position at sea. This could include features like mountains, islands, or even lights along the coastline. A sextant is often used to take measurements for terrestrialnavigation.