So completely outside the bounds of linear western minds Donuel that "westerners" have actually learned to do it. Once watched a great documentary on it.

Way points on a navigation of over 1,500 miles marked by change in sea pattern as islands (Out of sight) are cleared, also activity of sea birds, species of sea birds, smell and stars of course - all used to indicate the way.

The passing on Donuel? May have been done for millennia but each generation within that generation passes the knowledge onto the next.