Third Year

This course intends to provide the knowledge, skill and understanding of ECDIS and electronic charts to the thorough extent needed to safely navigate vessels whose primary means of navigation is ECDIS. The course emphasizes both the application and learning of ECDIS in a variety of underway contexts. This is achieved through sophisticated navigation simulation that provides each trainee with unrestrained access to own ship operations integrated with a complete type-approved ECDIS with numerous chart formats installed. The course is designed to meet the STCW requirements in the use of ECDIS, as revised by the 2010 Manila Amendments, specifically as these apply to Tables A-II/1, A-II/2 and A-II/3, and also to revised guidelines pertaining to training and assessment in the operational use of ECDIS in Table B-I (paragraphs 36 through 66), assessment in navigational watchkeeping, and evaluation of competence, both in Table B-II. 

The course takes full account of Section A-IV/2 of the STCW Code adopted by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended in 1995. It focuses on the demonstrations of knowledge and skills according to the requirement of IMO-STCW/SOLAS in case of distress by the operational Global Maritime Radio Communication, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

The course focuses on steering the ship to include adjustment of controls for optimum performance, operational procedures on change-over from manual to automatic control and vice versa. Principles to be observed in keeping a safe navigational watch using routeing in accordance with General Provisions on Ship’s Routeing, information from navigational equipment and reporting in accordance with the general principles for a ship reporting system and with VTS procedures.