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Advanced Navigation (CMM-ADVNAV)

Course Description

The Advanced Navigation course is requirement for the Chief Mate/Master license.  This course combines the USCG approved ECDIS course and the Voyage Planning Electronic Navigation (VPEN) Course which results in satisfying all of the assessments required for Advanced Navigation.  

The 70-hour Advanced Navigation course is designed to enhance the safety of navigation by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to fully utilize electronic navigational equipment in coordination with a properly prepared voyage plan.  Attendees who complete this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of voyage planning in accordance with IMO Resolution A 893 (21). Attendees learn to utilize and maximize their use of electronic navigational aids, including GPS, Gyrocompass and Autopilots.  The course incorporates live marine ECDIS equipment, networked with interactive blind bridge simulators.  The ECDIS used is the Transas Marine NaviSailor software and meets IMO performance standards.

This course satisfies the following STCW95 and CFR training requirements

• STCW 95 Advanced Navigation training requirements for certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage
• STCW 95 Table A-II/2  Code: M-1-1A; M-1-1B; M-1-2G; M-1-2H; M-1-2I; M-2-1A; M-2-ID; M-2-1E; M-2-1 F; M-6-3A; M-6-3B; and M-6-3C

 Pre-requisites - Prior to taking this course, mariners must be certified in coastal navigation (proficiency in Mercator and Great Circle sailings as well as Tide and Currents calculations is a must) and basic piloting and be skilled in intermediate computer operations.  In order to successfully complete the course, it is strongly recommend that you review these areas of navigation and become proficient in them prior to attending the course.  Mariners will benefit from prior experience in collision avoidance on ARPA and Radar (strongly recommended), Ship Handling, Bridge Resource Management, and Chart Portfolio Management.  This course is designed for qualified Third and Second mates who wish to upgrade their USCG License to Chief Mate / Master.  Only individuals who have maritime navigation experience should attend this course. 

What You Will Learn

• Use, Installation and Correction of Electronic Charts
• Validity of Sensor Data (including radar overlay)
• GPS
• DGPS
• Magnetic Compass
• Gyro Compass
• Potential Errors of Interpretation
• Adaptive Auto Pilots
• Integrated Bridge Systems
• Selecting Operation Settings and Alarms for Route Monitoring
• Navigational Calculations
• Great Circle and Mercator Sailing
• Tidal Calculations
• Route Planning and Scheduling
• Ocean Routing
• Voyage Planning
• Accessing Ship’s Log and Data Playback Functions
• ARPA, AIS and Trial Maneuver Functions

What You Should Bring

• Scientific Calculator
• Triangles
• Dividers
• All practical navigation equipment.

Each attendee will receive two certificates which are reflected below:

Any applicant who has successfully completed MITAGS 35-hour Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) course will be considered to have successfully demonstrated the competencies Plan and Conduct a Passage and Determine Position: Thorough Knowledge of and Ability to Use ECDIS of Table A-II/1 of the STCW Code; AND Determine Position and the Accuracy of Resultant Position Fix: Position Determination Using ECDIS With Specific Knowledge of its Operating Principles, Limitations, Sources of Error, Detection of Misrepresentation of information and methods of Correction to Obtain Accurate Position Fixing of Table A-II/2 of the STCW Code.

Any applicant who has successfully completed MITAGS 35-hour Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation course, including successful demonstrations of all practical assessments will satisfy the Advanced Navigation training requirements for STCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC) provided that they have also completed a Coast Guard approved Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems (ECDIS) course within one year of completion of this course.  The practical assessments conducted in this course will be accepted as the equivalent of the following assessments from the National Assessment Guidelines for Table A-II/2 of the STCW Code: M-1-1A; M-1-1B; M-1-2G; M-1-2H; M-1-2I; M-2-1A; M-2-ID; M-2-1E; M-2-1 F; M-6-3A; M-6-3B; and M-6-3C.  Applicants who have successfully completed this course need not present completed "Control Sheets" for these assessments in application for STCW certification.