How Can I Know if a Sextant Is Certified for Navigation ?

[shariqafroz]

Hii

I would like to know about certifications across the world for working sextants.

what are the types of these certifications and which agencies are responsible for these.

Thanks

[Lodesman]

I'm not sure what other classification systems are in use around the world, but British or former-British colonies would likely use the Brit classifications, which I believe were set by the Royal Observatory - Class A means total errors less than 30 seconds and Class B less than 3 minutes(iirc). More important than the classification, would be the date of the last inspection - a sextant should have an error chart with it; if that is missing or dated, then you would have to measure it yourself or get it done, though I don't know where you would get that done.

[mohawkmariner]

im not sure about certification but you must always check and determine index error prior to taking a round of sights.even if certified bumping it even lightly can make a sizable error.i would think any sextant without obvious damage made by a reputable maker is enough provided you check index error and develop the ability to take sights at sea.i use an astra 3 but would love a c plath

[Astrid]

Certification usually comes from the manufacturer and a certificate is included with the case. These can get lost, of course, but you can have a sextant re-certified either by sending it back to the manufacturer, or through a second party sextant repair shop:

Compass Adjusting and Repair, Contact, Navigation Instrument Service, Island Marine Instrument Co Inc

That company is out of Washington state. On the other side, in Massachuesetts:

Robert E. White Instruments, Inc. | 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 800-992-3045 (U.S./Canada) Tel: 617-482-8460 (Eastern MA) Fax: 617-482-8304

However, there are many things you can do to check your sextant for accuracy yourself, and a good place to start would be to get hold of a copy of Bruce Bauer's Sextant Handbook.