Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State

Electronic Navigation Systems for Safe Navigation Training

SAQA US 261097 | NQF 5 | Credits 5 | Duration 2 Days
From $832 per delegate

Description

This course equips deck officers and navigators with the practical skills and knowledge to effectively use electronic navigation systems—excluding radar—to ensure safe vessel navigation. Participants will learn to integrate GPS, AIS, ECDIS, and other electronic aids into a coherent navigational watch, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making in compliance with international maritime regulations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply electronic navigation systems (e.g., GPS, AIS, ECDIS) to determine vessel position and monitor safe passage.
  • Analyze integrated data from multiple electronic systems to assess navigational risks and maintain situational awareness.
  • Evaluate the accuracy and limitations of electronic navigation equipment to ensure reliable operation.
  • Implement standard operating procedures for the use of electronic navigation systems in compliance with SOLAS and STCW requirements.
  • Demonstrate the ability to cross-check electronic position fixes with traditional methods to verify navigational safety.
  • Design a navigational plan using electronic systems that accounts for environmental factors and traffic conditions.

Target Audience

This course is designed for deck officers, navigators, and maritime professionals who are responsible for the safe navigation of vessels and need to enhance their proficiency with electronic navigation systems.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, participants should have basic familiarity with maritime navigation concepts.

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of Electronic Navigation Systems

Objectives:
• Explain the principles of electronic navigation systems
• Identify key components of GPS, Radar, and AIS
• Describe the roles of satellite and terrestrial systems
• Recognize limitations and error sources in electronic navigation

Topics:
• Introduction to electronic navigation and its importance
• GPS: principles, segments, and signal structure
• Radar: operation, display types, and interpretation
• AIS: functionality, data exchange, and applications
• Integration of electronic navigation systems
• Error sources: atmospheric effects, multipath, and jamming
• Regulatory framework: SOLAS and IMO requirements

Day 2: Operation, Integration, and Safe Practices

Objectives:
• Operate electronic navigation equipment effectively
• Interpret data from multiple systems for safe navigation
• Apply best practices for cross-checking and redundancy
• Respond to system failures and emergencies

Topics:
• Setting up and calibrating GPS and Radar
• Using AIS for collision avoidance
• Chart plotters and electronic chart display (ECDIS)
• Data fusion: combining inputs for situational awareness
• Cross-checking techniques: radar vs. GPS vs. visual fixes
• Failure modes and backup navigation procedures
• Case studies: navigation incidents and lessons learned
• Best practices for safe navigation in various conditions

Practicals

6 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Learners will engage with simulated electronic navigation systems to practice operation, data interpretation, and emergency procedures. Hands-on exercises reinforce theoretical knowledge and build competency in real-world navigation scenarios.

Practical Activities
  • GPS and Radar Operation — Learners operate GPS and radar simulators, adjusting settings and interpreting displays to determine position and detect targets. (2h)
  • AIS and Collision Avoidance — Using AIS simulator, learners input vessel data and practice collision avoidance by interpreting AIS targets and applying COLREGS. (2h)
  • Integrated Navigation and Emergency Drills — Learners manage a simulated voyage using integrated GPS, radar, and AIS, then respond to equipment failures by reverting to backup procedures. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
No online sessions scheduled yet.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Contact Us
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
No on-campus sessions scheduled yet.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Contact Us
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
No in-house sessions scheduled yet.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Contact Us
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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