Navigation & Radar (OOW Yachts)

OOW Navigation and Radar - Course #402

This 15 day course is designed for Officer of the Watch candidates pursuing their MCA Certificate of Competency or for ambitious mariners desiring to improve their knowledge and abilities in navigation. This course utilizes MPT’s SMART TM Simulation Center. This course combines classroom theory, which is led by a certificated instructor and practical training to prepare candidates for the additional responsibilities needed to upgrade to the OOW position onboard yachts and other vessels. The module will consist of

sections on basic chart work, navigation aids, basic radar operation and plotting. There will be practical in-course assessment throughout and satisfactory completion of this assessment will allow the student entry to the final written examination at the end of the course.

Subjects Include:

Basic chartwork and position fixing; Running fix with tides and leeway; Compass bearings and conversion from compass to true bearings; Horizontal angles; Clearing bearings and transits. Operation and setting up of Electronic Navigation Aids including: GPS; Loran C; Electronic Chart Systems; Echo Sounders and Logs; Basic operation and setting up of Radar & use of PI’s; chart symbols and abbreviations; The IALA system of buoyage both A & B and the Cardinal system. Tides & Tidal Stream Calculations.

Exam:

Part 1 will consist of 2 questions – 1 each on chartwork and radar plotting. Part 2 will consist of 4 questions to test “underpinning knowledge”. Candidates must achieve a minimum of 60% in both parts.

When you register for this course you qualify for our STUDENT NAVIGATION KIT at no charge which includes: The #402 MCA OOW Navigation & Radar Student Kit contains: MPT Canvas Tote Bag Three ring 2” binder 5-8 tab dividers Rules of the Road Book Chart Eraser Chart Tube 37” Calculator (basic) Highlighter x2 (different colors) Mechanical Pencil *Charts (4 from instructor) You will need to bring or buy your own plotting tools. 15” Weems and Plath Parallels and #176 Weems and Plath divider/compass is recommended if you are purchasing your own. We do not recommend the Portland plotter for this course as it is not accurate enough. Triangles should only be used by experienced navigators or in addition to the required parallels that you need for the course as a basic tool.