NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: David Iwancio
Date: 2019 Jun 23, 04:50 -0700
Do you know the date? Do you have a watch?
What information is reasonable to have memorized? For example, Bowditch table 2804, "Simplified Traverse Table?" Personally I have it (10 numbers) and the "Simplified Refraction Table" (another 10 numbers, in something of a pattern) memorized. I can use the traverse (i.e. cosine) table to take a stab at the sun's declination and the equation of time.
Is the paper lined? A folded sheet can make a straightedge, and lines on the paper can make it a ruler of sorts. Some more paper-folding could get a pair of triangles.
Is the paper big enough to trace the arc of the sextant onto, for an impromptu protractor?
Regardless, if you really do end up in a life raft, you don't want to leave the area to begin with (even if you did have a sail). You're supposed to stay near where help will start looking for you. Having entertainment is good, but not if it's the kind that inspires you to get into even more trouble.
