MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar (‘SSNR’) – New Workboat Code 3 Version - General

MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar course covers the use of Electronic Chart Systems using approved charts and radar. This course is mandatory for skippers and crew on vessels coded to Workboat Code 3 and for many skippers and crew operating vessels coded to the NEW ‘Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code’ (The ‘SPVC Code’ replaces MGN280). Skippers need to have a clear understanding of how to set ECDIS systems up, the risks of not understanding the workings and parameters of the systems and of how to maximise the capability of these systems. Available in Southampton and Poole this 5 day course has been optimised by us for the sub 24m market.

NEWS: This course is now available to book in Southampton as well as Poole – check out the dates page.

WHY TRAIN WITH US?? i) We operate a one to one ratio in terms of simulators to students – this MEETS the MCA requirement for the course ii) Our Instructors are sub 24m specialists and appreciate the challenges of operating smaller craft versus big ships iii) we are VAT registered so VAT is recoverable – maritime colleges are not – reducing the cost by 20% for most businesses iv) We include the new SV-ECS standard and what it means for you as a skipper/navigator. During the course we introduce you to the new SV-ECS product from Raymarine Commercial.

About the course….

The MCA Smalll Ships Navigation and Radar course is actually a combination of two courses/four modules:

• MCA Small Ships Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge watchkeeping (3 days)
• MCA Small Ships Radar and Meteorology (2 days)

The course is aimed primarily at commercial users however it is equally relevant to non-professional users who want to get an indepth understanding of how to use their radars and electronic chart systems.

The aim of the courses are:

Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping To give candidates the essential education and training needed to keep a safe navigational watch and to use electronic charts, and other electronic aids to perform effective Bridge Watchkeeping in small vessels.

Small Ships Radar and Meteorology To give candidates the essential education and training needed to use radar and obtaining Metrological information to maintain safety of navigation in small vessels.

Entry requirementsThe course is intended for all masters and any crew responsible for, or involved in, navigation on commercially operated small craft (<24m). It is essential for candidates to have a basic understanding of navigational principals prior to attendance. Candidates are recommended to have experience navigating small vessels and hold a level of certification that permits operations in an Area Category of Operation 6 or above.

Students shall verbally confirm on the day that they are fit and well enough to participate in the practical exercises.

You will need to bring with you a proof of ID such as driving licence or passport on day one of the course.

Why choose to undertake this course with us?

The simple answer is our approach to training this course, our instructors and our investment in equipment.

We are one of the few RYA Training Centres also recognised by the MCA as certified to run this course. As an RYA Training Centre our specialism is sub 24m craft which contrasts with the large maritime colleges, who also run this course, but have little or no experience in smaller vessels. The difference this makes to your course is huge. Our approach takes the content of the MCA course utilising an ECDIS ECS/Radar based simulator and ensures that the way the lessons and exercises are structured developed competencies in the attendees that are 110% relevant and focussed on those operating in the sub 24m sector.

In terms of equipment we have invested heavily to ensure that we create the best training environment for this course. Our Wartsila/Transas Navi-Sailor training setup has 6x (Poole) or 8x (Southampton) student workstations (plus 1x instructor station) each running a three screen setup reflecting the typical layout on a vessel – radar display, chartplotter display and front screen/boat controls.

Our approach focuses time on using the Navi-Sailor system but also ensures that you understand the benefits and limitations of the systems in use currently on smaller boats.

We are not a maritime college teaching hundreds of individuals towards becoming big ship masters. Our expertise is the training of those who are operating with Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal, Advanced Powerboat CoC or Master 200/500 qualifications. This difference is hugely relevant as our instructors have current, real, hands on experience of using this equipment in the ‘small ships’ market.

Our instructor’s experience of using the equipment for collision avoidance and for navigation close to shore in congested and challenging waters makes for a really beneficial and enjoyable course.

As a professional full time school our classrooms are well equipped and dedicated to the running of these courses so have all of the materials expected so that we can run first rate courses.

Finally, whilst we would not typically comment in terms of pricing being VAT registered means that our courses are often considerably more cost effective for businesses booking courses as they can recover the VAT versus maritime colleges which are typically VAT zero rated.

How do we structure and run the course?

The full 5 day course is the combination of two courses and four modules. To ensure that the areas taught are fully understood and the methods learnt applied we have structured the course to consist of taught theory sessions followed by a number of simulator based exercises.

These exercises allow us to place your training vessel in a training location and then you undertake exercises based on the use of radar, or the training simulator running approved Electronic Navigation Charts or the combination of the two. Inevitably for some of the exercises we reduce the visibility and deny the vessel the use of sensors such as GNSS or Gyro/heading information.

One of the key aspects of the course is developing your understanding of the limitations of the electronic charts we are all using in our Raymarine, Garmin and Simrad type systems. By using the ECDIS simulator we can develop your understanding of the issues and work to develop better ways to navigate using the systems we are all using until more advanced systems evolve.

As you progress through the week then we ramp up the depth and the complexity of the exercises such that by the end of the week you are dealing with multiple vessels in restricted visibility in a challenging location and become at ease with dealing with the loss of sensors.

When is this course available?

Dates are listed on the ‘Book Now’ page. If you are a company and want to book team members onto the course then you can email us at office@powerboattraininguk.co.uk with their names/email addresses and we will book them on and raise a VAT invoice for the course. The invoice will need to be settled ahead of the course unless we have agreed terms with you.

If you have a number of attendees then it’s feasible we may be able to schedule a specific course to suit your team members availability. Email/call to discuss.