Overview top
This 5 week course is designed to give candidates the essential education and training in the skills needed to keep a safe navigational watch and to use radar, automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA), automatic identification systems (AIS), echo sounder, Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS), Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and other electronic aids to maintain safety of navigation. ECDIS will also be covered during this course.
The course will cover the following outcomes;
- Outcome 1: Principles of electromagnetic waves, propagation and signal conditioning
- Outcome 2: Capabilities and limitations of the use of global navigational satellite systems.
- Outcome 3: Capabilities and limitations of speed distance measuring equipment and marine echo sounders
- Outcome 4: Capabilities and limitations of the marine radar and automatic radar plotting aids
- Outcome 5: Capabilities and limitations of the use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
- Outcome 6: Capabilities and limitations of integrated bridge systems, including Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) and Voyage Data Recorder (VDR)
- Outcome 7: Application of effective bridge resource management, leadership and teamwork skills in open and confined waters.
Entry Requirements top
Candidates following the experienced seafarer route to MCA first Certificate of competency shall meet the minimum 6 months watchkeeping service.
Candidates on a college/university-based training programme approved by the MNTB/MCA leading to an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency need to have completed the first sea phase of their training to start the course.
Assessment top
Assessments will be a combination of practical and written.
Further Information top
For external candidates, a distance learning module covering entry material is available for £400.
