MCA Electronic Chart Display and Information System ECDIS (Operations)

MCA Electronic Chart Display and Information System ECDIS (Operations)

(SCQF level 6)

Part-time, Nautical Studies and Marine Engineering

Course Options
No course offerings available at the moment.

Overview

The aim is to give candidates the essential education and training in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) Simulator Training, meeting the knowledge, understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements set out in the following as per Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB):

Function:

  • Navigation at the Operational Level

Competence:

  • Use of ECDIS to maintain the safety of navigation.
  • Maintain the safety of navigation through the use of ECDIS and associated navigation system to assist command decision making.
  • Plan and conduct a coastal passage and determine position.

This course meets the following requirements:

  • ECDIS simulator training approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), meeting the requirements laid down in Regulation II/1, II/2 and II/3 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, and Tables, A-II/1, A-II/2 and A-II/3 of the STCW Code.
  • This training meets the learning outcomes of IMO Model Course 1.27, delivered over a period of at least 40 hours.

The course is based on Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) criteria for ECDIS training and approved by the MCA. It is also approved by Wartsila for type-specific training on the Navi Sailor 4000 ECDIS.

Students who successfully complete this course will be issued with a certification for Generic ECDIS training (IMO Model course 1.27).

The course also provides the candidate with opportunity to have no limitations on their COC & sail on ships solely using ECDIS as primary means of Navigation.

Minimum entry requirements

The minimum expected entry requirements are:

  • Minimum six months bridge watchkeeping sea time supported by bridge watchkeeping testimonials, or
  • Candidates on MNTB/MCA approved training programmes leading to a first certificate of competency.

All students shall have knowledge and understanding on passage planning and Electronic Navigational Equipment which includes RADAR, ARPA, GNSS, Echo Sounder, etc ( ie. candidates en route to OOW yacht 3,000GT and other relevant COC’s issued by MCA).

Additional selection requirements

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

What you study

Training takes place over five days (at least 40 hours duration) in the ECDIS training suite in the state-of-the-art modern maritime simulation centre at our Riverside campus. It follows the guidance and recommendation of the MNTB, in conjunction with the MCA and IMO Model Course 1.27. The course concentrates on the safe and efficient use of ECDIS at sea in a variety of conditions, from ocean passages to pilotages.

The essential legal and theoretical background to the use and carriage of ECDIS is covered in detail to allow students to use ECDIS correctly and safely.

Practical exercises using the desktop simulators reinforce the theory and provide an opportunity to develop and practice responses to emergency situations and use reversionary modes, including loss of GPS signal.

There are 2 outcomes to the training:

Outcome 1: The learner can use the ECDIS to maintain safety of navigation and explain the principles of operation of electronic chart systems.

Outcome 2: The learner can use ECDIS as an integral part of effective bridge resource management in the following:

in open and confined waters,
in planning and conducting a passage,
in responding to navigational emergencies, and

in manoeuvring the ship and maintaining a safe navigational watch.

After the course

The Candidate can apply for the COC with no limitations for sailing on ECDIS equipped ships.

Continuing Study

Mandatory to work on board ships equipped with an ECDIS.

All deck officers (including yacht officers) applying for a new or revalidating a UK Certificate of Competency, are required to include an ECDIS certificate with their application.  If an ECDIS certificate is not included with an application, the CoC will have the following limitation: "From 1 January 2017, this certificate is not valid for service on ships fitted with ECDIS",

How the course is taught

The course is taught using modern teaching and learning pedagogy where the students can be in control of their learning & structured around the outcomes. On enrolment students will be provided with the learning material on canvas prior commencement of course.

Interactive classroom sessions will be delivered using full audio, visual, multimedia aids. Students will also have hands on exposure to the use of ECDIS simulator and part-task ship simulator where they can carry out various exercises.

The course is taught for duration of 40 hours, over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1800.

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