I am surprised. I thought they would be long gone. I have no idea what 'officially certified' means. I was under the impression it involved some aircraft navigation certifying body and someone there who was qualified to decide if someone really knew how to navigate with a sextant.

When I took the celestial navigation course, I was looking for a good sextant so called local pawnshops. Here was one exchange, "Do you have any sextants?" Reply, "No sir, sorry, we don't have any tents at all."

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I can answer the MM part of the question: NO.

Thing One is in his third year of the TAMU Maritime Academy and he had to teach himself celestial nav.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I'd be interested to know if they have introduced shipboard security into the ciriculum. A much more practical use of time in this renewed age of piracy.

Marlin Spike Seamanship - Beyond rope: New & improved uses for the Marlin spike.

Standing Deck Watch in the 21st Century: Proper use of automatic deck weapons.

I'm wrong. Just talked to Thing One and he taught himself CS when he was a boatswain in the Coast Guard, but it is reqd to graduate from TAMU.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.