We've all experienced a bad day on the water thanks to our planet's atmosphere. Whether that is being rained out on a holiday, or getting ourselves in a dangerous situation in a thunderstorm, the weather is a sailor or boaters main concern on the water.

In this course, taught by a professional mariner, you will learn about the principles of marine weather and the resources available to you as you make sailing and boating decisions on the water.

First you will learn about weather fundamentals such as fronts, air masses, and hazards such as thunderstorms and tropical storms. Next you will learn about resources available both on the internet and at sea for weather data such as weather faxes and forecast models. Finally, you will practice weather routing with a few common sailing situations such as a daysail or a hypothetical trip from North Carolina to St. Thomas to help you make more informed choices regarding the weather.

This course is helpful for beginners or experienced sailors and boaters alike. It is all about being informed and being safe on the water. Happy navigating!

Your instructor is Captain Chris Nolan, an experienced military and civilian ship captain who has sailed in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and Polar regions.