Celestial Navigation (Master Yachts)

The MCA Celestial Navigation exam is required for issue of a Master (Yachts) <500gt and <3000gt CoC (NOTE: This certificate is only valid for 1 year from date of issue)

The exam is all that is required by the MCA, but JPMA offer a 4 day refresher course prior to the exam, for those people who wish to brush up on their Astro Nav skills.

Syllabus-

The paper will have 100 marks and the student must obtain and overall percentage of 65 to pass. The candidate must also obtain a minimum percentage of 65 in question 1 to pass.

Topic 1: Using celestial bodies to fix position

a) Can identify and select the most suitable celestial bodies in the twilight period.

b) Can determine the time of visible rising and setting of the sun.

c) Can use any acceptable method to calculate altitude and azimuth*

d) Can accurately plot lines of position obtain from a sight to fix position.

e) Can use the nautical almanac and calculator or nautical tables to find a position line from an altitude obtained by a sextant and time obtained from a chronometer.

Topic 2: Determining latitude by celestial means

a. Can calculate the latitude by Polaris

b. Can calculate the latitude by meridian altitude of the sun or planet

c. Can calculate the time of meridian altitude of the sun or planet

Topic 3: Determining the compass error by celestial means

a) Can determine compass error by amplitude of the sun or a planet

b) Can determine compass error by azimuth of the sun.

c) Can determine compass error by azimuth of a star or planet

* Note: the student may use any method to calculate the position lines and may use nautical tables, calculator and short method tables but may not use programmable calculators smart phones, tablets or computers.

Useful Information

Current Course Fee: £895 from – includes lunch and morning/afternoon refreshments.

+ current IAMI Exam Fee of £175.00 

Exam Only: £285.00