Marine Navigation Course

Lesson 1 • Nautical Terminology and Conventions

Introduces standard maritime vocabulary, measurement units, and directional conventions. Provides the shared language required for all subsequent navigation tasks.

Lesson 2 • Coordinate Systems and Position Fixing

Explains latitude, longitude, and grid references for locating a vessel. Students practice plotting positions on paper charts and electronic displays.

Lesson 3 • Nautical Chart Interpretation

Covers chart symbols, depth soundings, and scale selection. Connects chart literacy to safe route planning and hazard identification.

Lesson 1 • AIS and Vessel Traffic Monitoring

Explains Automatic Identification System (AIS) data fields and traffic display interpretation. Students use AIS to anticipate vessel movements and avoid conflicts.

Lesson 2 • Radar Navigation Fundamentals

Introduces radar operation, range and bearing measurement, and target identification. Radar skills complement GPS by providing independent positional verification.

Lesson 3 • GPS and GNSS Principles

Explains satellite-based positioning, signal acquisition, and accuracy limitations. Connects electronic positioning to the manual fixes learned previously.

Lesson 4 • Chart Plotter Operation

Covers waypoint entry, route creation, and display settings on electronic chart systems. Students configure plotters to support active voyage monitoring.

Lesson 1 • Lights, Shapes, and Sound Signals

Covers required navigation lights, day shapes, and sound signals for all vessel types. Students identify vessel status and intent from visual and audible cues.

Lesson 2 • Collision Avoidance Maneuvers

Teaches early and substantial heading and speed changes to resolve close-quarter situations. Students evaluate risk of collision using bearing and CPA analysis.

Lesson 3 • International Collision Regulations Overview

Presents the structure and scope of international rules governing vessel conduct. Establishes the regulatory framework applied throughout this chapter.

Lesson 1 • Tidal Streams and Current Data

Covers tidal stream atlases, current vectors, and their effect on vessel track. Students calculate set and drift to maintain intended headings.

Lesson 2 • Meteorological Factors in Navigation

Introduces weather patterns, wind effects, and sea state assessment for voyage planning. Students identify conditions that require route or timing adjustments.

Lesson 3 • Integrated Environmental Route Planning

Combines tidal, current, and weather data into a single voyage plan. Students produce a complete environmental analysis for a planned passage.

Lesson 1 • Chart Selection and Correction

Covers selecting appropriate chart scales and applying official corrections before departure. Current, corrected charts are a legal and safety requirement.

Lesson 2 • Waypoint and Track Management

Teaches precise waypoint placement, track spacing, and safety margins along a route. Students build routes that avoid hazards and allow for positional error.

Lesson 3 • Voyage Plan Documentation

Explains required plan records, briefing formats, and handover documentation. Proper documentation ensures continuity and supports post-incident review.

Lesson 4 • Fuel, Time, and Distance Calculations

Covers speed-time-distance formulas and fuel consumption planning for a passage. Accurate calculations prevent fuel shortfalls and schedule overruns.

Lesson 1 • Embarkation Fundamentals and Terminology

Defines embarkation types, roles, and key terms used throughout boarding operations. Shared terminology prevents miscommunication during time-critical procedures.

Lesson 2 • Gangway and Access Point Management

Teaches safe gangway rigging, load limits, and access control at boarding points. Proper gangway management prevents falls and unauthorised access.

Lesson 3 • Passenger and Personnel Manifests

Covers manifest preparation, headcount verification, and identity documentation checks. Accurate manifests are essential for accountability and emergency response.

Lesson 4 • Embarkation Safety Briefings

Covers mandatory safety briefing content, delivery methods, and passenger acknowledgment. Effective briefings reduce injury risk and improve emergency response.

Lesson 1 • Special Needs and Vulnerable Persons

Addresses assistance procedures for passengers with mobility limitations or medical needs. Inclusive planning ensures all persons can disembark safely.

Lesson 2 • Personnel Transfer at Sea

Covers boat-to-boat and vessel-to-platform transfers using pilot ladders and transfer baskets. Students assess conditions and select appropriate transfer methods.

Lesson 3 • Planned Disembarkation Procedures

Presents sequential steps for controlled disembarkation at a port or terminal. Orderly procedures prevent crowding, falls, and accountability failures.

Lesson 1 • Distress Signaling and Communication

Covers MAYDAY procedures, distress signal devices, and emergency communication protocols. Timely and accurate distress communication accelerates rescue response.

Lesson 2 • Post-Emergency Reporting and Review

Addresses incident reporting requirements, evidence preservation, and after-action review. Thorough reporting supports investigation and prevents recurrence.

Lesson 3 • Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordination

Explains SAR coordination roles, on-scene commander duties, and survivor location techniques. Students support rescue operations from both distressed and assisting vessels.

Lesson 4 • Man Overboard (MOB) Recovery Procedures

Covers immediate actions, recovery maneuvers, and retrieval methods for a person in the water. Rapid and coordinated response minimises time in the water.