About the course

The MCA Small Ships Navigation & Radar course is a comprehensive industry-approved training programme designed to equip masters and navigational watch-keepers of small commercial vessels with the necessary skills in electronic chart systems (ECS), radar operation and meteorology to meet the requirements of Workboat Code Edition 3.

The course consists of two modules: In the Small Ships Electronic Charting System (approved) & Bridge Watchkeeping module learners are taught how to plan and execute passages, monitor and maintain a safe navigation watch, use and interpret ECS/approved systems, understand GNSS integrity, alarms, AIS overlays and bridge procedures. A really key focus of the course is the use of the ECDIS functionality which forms the backbone of the ECS systems that are now required in sub 24m workboats. The second module is the Small Ships Radar & Meteorologycourse. Students cover radar theory (beam width, display modes, stabilised vs unstabilised displays, sea and rain clutter, blind sectors), ARPA vessel tracking and route monitoring techniques, collision avoidance, parallel indexing. The focus of the meteorology module is a focus on  interpretation of meteorological information and decision making in the context of sub 24m vessels. The training heavily uses Wartsila ECDIS and radar simulators so that participants can experience realistic watch-keeping and navigational scenarios without being at sea.

The course is particularly valuable for vessels transitioning under the Workboat Code 3 framework toward meeting the Small Vessel – Electronic Charting Systems (SV-ECS) standard. It supports skippers and crew by providing certified competence in the use of radar and electronic chart systems, helping ensure that the vessel’s navigation and watch-keeping arrangements meet the new regulatory requirements. For vessels using SV-ECS or advanced radar/plotting equipment, the training ensures that crew understand system limitations, correct set-up, monitoring and alarms, and can maintain a safe watch.

The course is aimed at masters and crew of commercially operating small vessels, typically under 24 m in length, who bear or will bear navigational responsibility or are required to maintain watch on vessels equipped with radar and ECS. Candidates are often those holding a Certificate of Competency or operating under the Workboat Code.

In summary, the MCA Small Ships Navigation & Radar course ensures that boat operators and crew working in small commercial vessel sectors are fully trained in modern navigation technologies, compliant with updated codes, and being capable of making full, safe use of the systems on board.

If the dates don’t work for you or you are looking to book a number of personnel onto this course then we can schedule additional courses to suit your schedule.