Carver 56 Voyager SE, Owner'S Manual

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S
ECTION
6 O
PERATING AND
M
ANEUVERING
5627 11/03
6.0 Operating and Maneuvering
6.1 Launching the Boat
Have a professional launch your boat. Your dealer can either provide
experienced people to do this or recommend someone.
6.2 Navigation
Understanding navigation is very important when operating your boat on
the open seas. Instructions on how to navigate your boat are beyond the
scope of this guide. Carver encourages you to read Chapman’s Piloting
and Seamanship and obtain instruction regarding how to navigate your
boat.
6.2.1 Charts
You can obtain charts of the waters in which you intend to navigate from
the National Ocean Survey, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmo-
spheric Administration in Washington D.C. The NOS offers a publication
listing the charts you will need for your area; however, this listing may
not include inland rivers. Charts of inland rivers are also available from
the appropriate district office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Your
dealer may also have charts of the waters in which you intend to cruise.
Keeping your charts up-to-date is a very important part of navigation.
The Weekly Notice to Mariners available from the Defense Mapping
Agency or the U.S. Coast Guard is an excellent resource for updating
charts.
6.2.2 Compass
The compass is the most important piece of navigation equipment
onboard your boat. To operate properly, the compass must be free from
interference by local magnetic influences and electrical components.
Refer to the OEM information for details on using and maintaining the
compass. When it is time to compensate your compass, Carver recom-
mends having it done professionally.
6.2.3 Horn
If you are navigating in fog or at night, use your boat’s horn to alert other
boaters of your presence. The horn meets U.S. Coast Guard standards.
6.2.4 Depth Sounder
The optional depth sounder can help you avoid entering waters that are
too shallow for your boat and can aid in navigation.