Course content

Maritime Operations is an integrated course that covers the requirements in theoretical and practical knowledge in STCW Chapter II, sections A-II/1 and A-II/2, function Navigation at operational and management levels. The course consists of three parts that are conducted in parallel:

Part 1: Ocean Environment

This part covers meteorological and oceanographic conditions that affect safe navigation:

• Atmosphere: pressure, temperature, humidity, clouds and the like
• Wind, wind systems and meteorological organizations
• Weather systems, interpretation of weather charts and weather routing
• Tidal waters and the ocean's geography
• Various physical properties, wave phenomena and swell
• Calculation of tide tables
• Sea research, instrumentation and oceanographic publications

Part 2: Navigation (theoretical and applied)

This part covers theoretical and practical knowledge in navigation and ship handling at management level:

• Nautical publications (charts, sailing directions, tide tables, current atlas, light lists, etc.)
• ECDIS as an aid in coastal navigation and route planning
• Radar and coastal radar
• Rate of Turn (ROT) and parallel indexing (PI)
• Maneuvering characteristics and standard maneuvers
• Operation in confined waters and canals
• Mooring and anchoring arrangements
• Towing and use of tugboats
• Operation in ice (Polar Code Basic course)
• Planning of overseas and coastal passages
• Determination of required margins for safe sailing
• Log keeping and documentation during the voyage
• Preparation of watch and voyage planning, watch at sea and in port
• VTS, pilot services, monitoring and reporting systems
• Application of the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (Collision Regulations)
• Remote-controlled operations and unmanned systems

Part 2a: Theoretical navigation The theoretical part covers the requirements for theoretical knowledge. The course also covers the requirements for midshipman pilot exemption course and the Polar Code Basic course.

Part 2b: Applied navigation The applied part consists of a series of simulator and laboratory exercises using theoretically applied terrestrial and electronic navigation in practical and operational scenarios. The exercises cover coastal navigation on the Norwegian coast, maneuvering in different fairways and operational scenarios. The simulator exercises include the practical tests for the Polar Code Basic course. Upon full completion, the exam is taken outside the course week, Coastal Navigation for midshipman pilot exemption.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence in accordance with STCW Ch. II/1 and II/2 and STCW code A-II/1 function "Navigation at the operational level" and STCW code A-II/2 function "Navigation at the management level":

Knowledge

The candidate shall be able to:

• navigate in all types of fairways under different meteorological and oceanographic conditions, including coastal navigation on the Norwegian coast
• plan for safe navigation, reporting to VTS, pilot and harbor, as well as brief for conducting operations
• interpret meteorological, oceanographic conditions and nautical publications

Skills

The candidate shall be able to:

• navigate and monitor navigation in ECDIS with regard to fairway, tide, current, wave, swell and ice conditions
• determine safe distances and determination with required margins for safe navigation
• operations in confined waters, canals and under different fairway conditions, including mooring, anchoring and towing
• watchkeeping that ensures proper navigation and reporting in accordance with relevant rules

Performance

The candidate shall be able to:

• maneuver and handle different ships under all conditions in accordance with applicable rules and good seamanship
• perform complete route planning in ECDIS and quality-assure the route's position
• use navigation instruments for position fixing (Radar, ROT, parallel indexing) for safe navigation
• calculate tide, establish clarity on draft and bottom clearance effect
• interpret weather charts and navigate for optimal routing
• perform safe maneuvering: mooring, anchoring and operations in ice (Polar Code)
• log keeping, documentation and reporting of the voyage
• discuss watch and voyage planning as well as collaboration with pilot
• master knowledge and skills with emphasis on both Norwegian and English

Assess

The candidate shall be able to:

• assess the validity, methods and quality of own route plan and position information
• evaluate the instrument and navigate in fairways with variable draft and bottom clearance requirements based on tugboats
• assess the required margins for safe navigation and fairway for operations based on meteorological and oceanographic conditions
• reflect on environmental, humanitarian, safety and economic consequences of maritime transport from a sustainable perspective
• evaluate own competence development and independently update knowledge within the subject area

Learning methods and activities

The course is conducted with the following learning activities:

Part 1: Ocean Environment

• Lectures and written exercises
• Mandatory assignments

Part 2a: Theoretical navigation

• Lectures and written exercises
• Mandatory assignments

Part 2b: Applied navigation

• A series of simulator and laboratory exercises based on the theoretical content
• Plan for conducting exercises published at start
• Exercises shall be completed and approved to sit the exam
• Preparations and follow-up work for each simulator exercise
• 100% attendance is mandatory

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises
• Exercises
• 100 % mandatory attendanceblig

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

TN102324 NAV 1 Navigasjon og navigasjonssystemer