Function 1: Navigation at operational level

Competence No. 1: Plan & conduct a passage and determine position

Detailed Teaching Syllabus

Terrestrial and coastal navigation
Lectures Teaching Teaching
Method Material
(Hours)

1. Definitions-Earth
1. defines ‘great circle’, ‘small circle’, ‘spherical angle’, ‘spherical triangle’,
‘poles of a great circle’
2. defines ‘earth’s axis’, ‘earth’s poles’, ‘equator’ and ‘meridians’
3. defines latitude’ and ‘parallels of latitude’ ‘prime meridian’ and ‘longitude’
4. defines difference of latitude and difference of longitude L (0.5) T28, R-9
5. describes the earth as an ellipsoid. Defines‘compression’ and states its value P (1.0)
6. defines ‘international nautical mile’, ‘cable’ and ‘knot; defines Geographic-
Mile, Statute Mile, Kilometre, Nautical Mile, Cable and Knot

2. Charts
1. demonstrates basic knowledge of Mercator Charts, Gnomonic Charts and Plan-
Charts and principles of their construction, their properties, limitations and uses .
2. defines natural scale of a chart
3. states the requirements of a chart appropriate for marine navigation
4. Identifies the Macerator chart as a mathematical projection and understands the
principles of its construction. Describes the properties of the chart and the degree to L (2.0) R-2, R-9,
which it meets navigational requirements and also its limitations. Defines P (3.0) R-10, R-29
meridional parts
5. demonstrates the use of a Chart Catalogue
6. demonstrates the procedures for correcting of Charts and Publications including ‘T’
& ‘P’ Notices and corrections using tracings according to Notices to Mariners
7. Explains Chart Folio & Chart Correction Log(NP131)
8. Solves problems on Natural Scale and those based on the principles of a Mercator
-Chart.

3. Datums
1. Describes the rotation of the earth about its axis.
2. defines directions on the earth’s surface
3. describes the direction indicated by the gyro compass
4. describes the direction indicated by the magnetic compass
5. describes the direction of the ship’s head on a gyro compass gyro course
6. describes the direction of the ship’s head on the magnetic compass (compass course)

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4. Distances
1. states the approximate polar and equatorial circumferences of the earth
2. demonstrates how to measure the distance between two positions on a Mercator
-chart

5. Compass corrections
L (1.0) R-2, R-9, R-29
1. finds deviation and variation defines true magnetic and compass north Ex.(1.0)
2. finds deviation and variation from tables and charts
3. calculates true course from compass course
4. calculates compass course, from true course
5. measures compass error, using a transit bearing
6. applies compass error to the ship’s head and compass bearings to convert to true
7. takes a compass bearings of a charted object and lays the true bearing off on the
chart

6. Position lines and Positions

1. defines a Position, Position Line & Position Circle L (2.0) R-2, R-10, R-29
Ex.(2.0)
2. measures the radar distance off a charted object and plots its position circle on a
chart
3. plots a position on the chart from simultaneous cross bearings and from bearing and
distance off
4. defines dead reckoning position (DR), Estimated Position and Fixed Position
5. plots a dead reckoning position on the chart
6. plots an estimated position on the chart
7. plots position lines.
8. draws a position line by : bearing, horizontal angle & transit bearing.
9. determines a position by a combination of bearing & distance .
10. finds a position by simultaneous bearings of two objects
11. finds the distance that the ship will pass off a given point when a beam

7. Plane, Parallel, Mercator & Great Circle Sailings:

L (6.0) R-9, T-28
1. defines departure and state its relationship with D’ Long, D’Lat & Distance Ex.(4.0)
2. defines true course and Rhumb line P (1.0)
3. derives the plane sailing formulae
4. explains the relationship between departure and difference of longitude in cases
involving a change of latitude by using mean latitude
5. uses the parallel sailing formula:

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 departure
------- = cosine of latitude
d. long

6. Explain the layout & use of Traverse Tables.

7. calculates the distance between two position on the same parallel of latitude
8. calculates the difference of longitude for a given distance run along a parallel of
latitude
9. derives the final position after sailing along a parallel of latitude
10. uses the plane sailing formulae in practical examples
11. understands the meaning of, and can derive, mean latitude
12. calculates the correct departure to use in a plane sailing problem
13. calculates the course and distance between two positions using the plane sailing
formula
14. calculates a DR position or an estimated position by using the plane sailing formula
given compass course and compass error, distance by log, estimates speed, tidal and
current information and leeway. Calculates ‘Days Work’ exercises.
15. derives the information required in a parallel or plane sailing problem using a
traverse table or calculator
16. solves problems of plane sailing, using a calculator
17. derives a Mercator sailing formula and solves problems of Mercator Sailing
18. solves problems of DR and fixing positions, using plotting charts

19. Great Circle sailing:

a) explains the use of Gnomonic Chart to plot a Great Circle Track & transfer it
to a Mercator Chart.
R 9, T 28
b) Calculates the initial Course, the Final Course, the Great Circle Distance
between two positions.
c) Calculates the position of Vertex, nearest the two positions, on a Great Circle
track.
d) Explains how to calculate positions of Way Points (by spherical trigonometry)
along the G.C.Track.

20. Explains what is ‘slip’. T-39, T-40

Calculates the ‘slip’.

8. Chartwork and Exercises

1. defines ‘course’ and ‘distance’

2. lays off true course between two positions L (8.0) R-2, R-10, R29
Ex. (7.5)
3. finds the distance between two positions P (17.5)
4. calculates the speed between two positions

5. defines ‘set’, ‘rate’, ‘drift’ due to current, and ‘leeway’ due to wind; and their effect
on vessel’s track over ground.
6. defines ‘ship’s speed’, ‘effective speed’, ‘course and distance made good’ applied
leeway
7. finds the course and distance made good allowing for tidal stream or current and/ or
wind .

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8. finds the course to steer counteracting the for tidal stream or current and/or wind.

9. finds the set & rate of tidal stream or current from charts , tables & atlases.

10. explains the term ‘running fix’ and uses the method to plot a position (including by
transfer of position line & position circle).

11. finds positions by running fix in a tidal stream or current and /or wind.

12. calculates the actual set rate of tidal stream or current from DR and fixed positions

13. Exercises involving Horizontal Sextant Angle for obtaining Compass Error
and for obtaining the position of vessel.

14. Exercises involving Passage Planning (As per Para 12 at the end of this
module)

9. Information from Nautical Charts, Lists of Lights and other

L (1.5) R-2, R-10, R-29
Publications
P (2.5)
1. recognizes and demonstrates the use of the symbols and abbreviation on a chart
especially lighthouses, buoys, beacons, radio and radar beacons and other
navigational aids and dangers.

2. Explains the Publication 5011.

3. explains the principles and rules of the International Association of Lighthouse

Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage systems “A” and “B”

4. Understands & calculates the Geographical Range, the Luminous Range & the
Nominal Range.

5. calculates the distances of the first/last sighting of lights and raising /dipping
distances

6. identifies the symbols for chart depths and nature of bottom

7. recognises coastlines coast and radar responsive targets

8. interprets coastlines contours bottom topography depths and nature of bottom

9. uses the tidal information given on a chart

10. recognises the traffic lanes and separation zones

11. recognises the different types of charts

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12. explains the danger of placing implicit reliance upon floating navigational aids

13. explains the danger of approaching navigational aids too closely

14. Explains the use & information contained in ALRS.

15. Explains the use & information contained in A.L.L

16. Explains the Weekly & Annual Notices to Mariners.

10. Tides
L (2.0) R-2, R-9,
1. explains the basic theory of tides R-10, R29
2. Explains the use of Tide Tables & Tidal Atlases. Ex.(5.0)

3. defines ‘spring tides’, ‘neap tides’, ‘height of tide’, ‘high water’ and ‘low water’,
‘mean high water springs’, ‘mean high water neaps’, ‘mean low water springs’,
‘mean low water neaps’, ‘range; ‘duration of tide’
4. calculates the springs and neap ranges for Standards and Secondary Ports
5. finds the predicted time and height of high and low water s at Standard and
Secondary Ports
6. calculates heights for intermediate times & vice versa
7. Explains the use of Tidal Stream Atlas for obtaining current direction & rate

11. Keeping a log during Sea Passages, Coastal Navigation & at

Anchor L (1.0) T-9, T-18,
P (1.0) R-1, R-2
1. Lists the rules, regulations and common practice regarding keeping a log.
2. Describes the proper Procedure for keeping of different kinds of log during ocean
passages, coastal navigation, at anchor & in port.

12. Passage Planning;

Plan a passage between two ports from berth to berth using the procedures for passage
planning. L (1.5) R-2, R-10, R-29
Ex. (4.0)
 Appraisal – ascertain the charts and publication required for the voyage and
whether they are corrected and up-to- date, Extract all relevant information
from the publications and obtain weather prognosis.

 Planning – Plot courses on the charts, both small and large scale, way points,
no- go areas, contingency anchorages, alerts, abort points and other relevant
marks. Prepare a Passage Plan document.

 Execution – During the voyage, fix positions as indicated on the passage plan,
maintain sufficient bridge manning levels, obtain Navigational and Weather
Warnings, maintain lookout and navigate to keep clear of other vessels and
navigational hazards.

 Monitoring - Monitor frequently the traffic, position, weather, visibility and

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maintain a situational awareness at all times. Check the proper functioning of
navigational instruments and fills up logs periodically during watch.

TOTAL
75 Hrs.

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