Course Descriptions Home

This is an introductory course intended for new entry seafarers who intend to embark upon a marine career where they form part of the Bridge Watch Team.

Its purpose is to provide awareness of the hazards, knowledge, skills, and standards of safe working procedures leading to certification as Bridge Watch Rating in compliance with International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978, as amended by STCW 1995 and Transport Canada Marine Safety TP10936E.

Safe Navigation; Look-out by Sight and Hearing; Monitoring and Controlling a Safe Watch; Berthing, Anchoring and other Mooring Operations; Safe Operation of Deck Equipment and Machinery; Occupational Health and Safety Precautions and Precautions and Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment; Shipboard Maintenance and Repair; Emergency Equipment and Apply Emergency Procedures; Survival Craft and Rescue Boats

Prerequisites - SC 1807 (Safety in Science Lab (Lab Safety)) and SC 1808 (WHMIS)

Duration - 13 weeks 

Lectures - 13 hours/week; 147 hours

Laboratories - 6 hours/week; 78 hours total

This is the second of two courses intended for new entry seafarers who intend to embark upon a marine career where they form part of the Bridge Watch Team.

Its purpose is to provide awareness of the hazards, knowledge, skills, and standards of safe working procedures leading to certification as Bridge Watch Rating in compliance with International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978, as amended by STCW 1995 and Transport Canada Marine Safety TP10936E.

Handling of Cargo and Stores; Ropes, Wires, Chain, Splicing and Connections

Prerequisites - NASC 0101 (General Ship Knowledge I); SC 1807 (Safety in Science Lab (Lab Safety)) and SC 1808 (WHMIS)

Duration - 4 weeks

Lectures - 13 hours/week; 51 hours total

Laboratories - 6 hours/week; 24 hours total

This is an introductory course designed to provide the student with an orientation to the marine industry and the types of ships that are commonly encountered during a seagoing career.

The course will provide basic seamanship knowledge about ship terminologies, navigation publications and stability.

Introduction/Business of Shipping; Organizational Structure Onboard Ships; Terminology; General Arrangements; Stability; Anchor and Shackles; Cargo Handling Equipment; Mooring; Navigation; Bridge Equipment Onboard Ships; Soundings.

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours total

Laboratories - 2 hours/week = 26 hours total

This is course follows Seamanship I and is designed to provide the student with knowledge of basic ship operations.

A detailed analysis of the requirements of the Cadet Log Book will also be undertaken.

Introduction to Navigation; Introduction to Collision Regulation; Watchkeeping Duties; Flags; Rope Wire and Tackle; Maintenance and Corrosion Prevention Procedures; Principles of Ship Handling; Pollution Prevention; Log Books; Cadet Log Book.

Prerequisites - NASC 1104 (Seamanship I)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours total

Laboratories - 2 hours/week = 26 hours total

This course will build upon the knowledge gained in Seamanship Level 1 and Seamanship Level 2 courses to support practical shipboard skill development.

Practical Training for Deck Personnel; Rope, Wire, Chains, and Tackles; Fall Arrest Training.

Prerequisites - NASC 1204 (Seamanship Level II)

Duration:

Practical Training for Deck Personnel - 2 days

Rope, Sire, Chains, and Tackles- 5 days

Fall Arrest Training - 2 days

Total - 9 days

This introductory course will provide students who will be employed in non-crew positions with knowledge of vessels and operations as well as with basic seamanship skills.

Organization and Working Structure of a Merchant Vessel; Health, Safety, and Environmental Regulations and Policies; General Seamanship

Duration - 12 hours

This is a course designed to develop learners’ ability to perform basic stability calculations with emphasis on practical skills, to extract data from hydrostatic curves, and to perform calculations related to ships draft, list, trim, and centre of gravity.

Principal Ship Dimensions & Hull Terminology; Draft, Trim, Density & Displacement; Coefficients of Hull Form & Hydrostatic Data; TPC & FWA; Centre of Flotation; Volume and Displacement; Buoyancy and the Centre of Buoyancy; Centre of Gravity; Free Surface; Adding and Shifting Masses; List; Moment to Change Trim; Stability Data Booklet.

Prerequisites - MATH 1212 (NASC Mathematics II); PHYS 1104 (Physics); NASC 1104 (Seamanship I)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week

Laboratories - 1 hour/week

This course is designed to build on the basic knowledge acquired in NASC 2112 (Introduction to Cargo Operations) and to give the student an advanced understanding of the principles and practices of cargo operations.

IMDG Code; Container Ships; Ro-Ro Vessels; Passenger Vessels; Oil Tankers; Bulk Carriers; Self-unloading Bulk Carriers; International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC); Coal Cargoes; Refrigerated Cargoes; Cargo Liner Trade; Port Wardens; Palletization of Cargo

Prerequisites - NASC 2112 (Introduction to Cargo Operations)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 4 hours/week - 52 hours total

This course provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills to effectively operate and communicate using the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, as outlined in the International Maritime Organization’s Resolution A 769 (18).

Restricted Operators Certificate - Maritime Commercial; Radiotelephony Communications Procedures; Radiotelephony Operating/Voice Procedures; Digital Selective Calling (DSC); Navigational Telex (NAVTEX); Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART); Power Supplies and Maintenance.

Prerequisites - None

Duration - 3 days - 21 hours

Lectures - 12 lecture /9 practical

This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of the theory and practice of navigation.

It is essential to have a sound knowledge of the basic skills of navigation and the ability to apply this knowledge, despite the many technological advances in marine navigation.

Navigation; The Terrestrial Sphere; The Nautical Chart; Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations; The Compass; Direction; Navigational Aids,;Obtaining a Position Line; Position Fixing; Current and Leeway; Tides and Tidal Streams; Publications; Electronic Charts.

Prerequisite - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II); MATH 1212 (NASC Mathematics I)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours

Laboratories - 6 hours/week = 78 hours

This course is designed to build knowledge about cargo operations onboard merchant vessels.

Ventilation, Ventilation Systems and Cargo Care; Cargo Stowage, Space Occupied, and Prevention of Damage; Securing Cargoes; Procedures for Receiving, Tallying and Delivering Cargo; Cargo Officer; Care of Cargo during Carriage; Loading Stowage and Discharge of Heavy Weights; Requirements Applicable to Cargo-handling Gear; The use of Vector Diagrams to Calculate Stresses on Cargo Gear; Cargo Calculations.

Prerequisite - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = a total of 39 hours

Laboratories - 0 hours/week = a total of 0 hours

NASC 2113 is the first of three Simulated Electronic Navigation (SEN) courses which Nautical Science students must complete in order to obtain credit for Transport Canada’s EPS and SEN (O) training requirements.

NASC 2113 provides students with the knowledge and the skills required for the correct operation of navigational equipment and radar to avoid collision or close quarter situations.

Basic Theory and Operation of a Marine Radar System; Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) Systems; Radar Plotting.

Prerequisite - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours total

Laboratories - 2 hours/week for 13 labs = 26 hours total

Celestial Navigation may be defined as the art and science of determining a ship’s position through observation of the celestial bodies - the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

The instrument used to observe the heavenly bodies, the sextant, is symbolic of the history and tradition of the navigator.

Although presently somewhat overshadowed by electronic systems, celestial navigation remains a basic and widely used procedure for determining position at sea.

This is an introductory course in celestial navigation. The emphasis will be on developing an in depth knowledge of the theory and terminology associated with nautical astronomy.

Sailings; Nautical Astronomy; The Celestial Sphere; The Sextant; Altitude Correction; Time; Nautical Almanac; Figure Drawings; Amplitudes, Azimuths, and Twilight; Body Identification.

Prerequisite - NASC 2108 (Navigation)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 7 hours/week = 91 hours total

This course in navigation safety covers the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea with Canadian modifications as contained in Transport Canada’s Collision Regulations TP 10739.

It includes IMO’s basic watchkeeping principles and recommendations as stated in the STCW’95 Code sections A-VIII/2 and B-VIII/2.

General; Steering and Sailing Rules; Lights and Shapes; Sound and Light Signals; Exemptions and Additional Canadian Provisions; Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes; Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels in Close Proximity; Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances; Distress Signals; STCW’95 Standard Watchkeeping Procedures and Practices

Prerequisite - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II); WKTM 1102 (Sea Phase I)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures  - 3 hours/week for 13 weeks = 39 hours total

Laboratories - 2 hours/week for 13 weeks = 26 hours total

This theory and simulation-based course provides the student with knowledge, skills and understanding of ECDIS and electronic charts to the extent needed to safely navigate vessels whose primary means of navigation is ECDIS.

Purpose and Value of ECDIS to Navigation; Correct and Incorrect Use; Workstation Start, Stop, Layout and Basic Navigation; Vessel Position and Position Source; Heading and Drift Vectors; The ECDIS Chart; Ports and Data Feeds; Changing the Settings; Information Layers and Alarms; Vessel Manoeuvring Characteristics; Sensors; Route Planning by Table and Chart; Track Limits and Checking Plan for Safety; Additional Navigational Information; Route Schedule; User Charts In Route Planning; ARPA / Radar Overlay and AIS Function; Procuring and Installing Chart Data/Corrections; System Reset and Backup; Archiving ECDIS Data and Data Logging; Responsibility and Effective Navigation with ECDIS.

Prerequisite - NASC 2108 (Navigation)

Duration - 5 days for a total of 40 hours

Theory - 28 hours

Practical - 12 hours (Maximum of 1 participant per ECDIS unit)

NASC 2213 is the second of three SEN courses required to obtain the Nautical Science Diploma of Technology and Canadian Watchkeeping Mate Certificate.

The purpose of NASC 2213 is to provide the student with the knowledge and the skill required for the correct operation of navigational equipment.

Electronic Systems of Position Fixing; Echo Sounder System; Speed and Distance Logs; Automatic Information System (AIS); Voyage Data Recorder(VDR); Ship’s Compass and Steering System.

Prerequisite - NASC 2113 (Electronic Positioning Systems 1)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 5 hours/week = 65 hours total

NASC 2300 is the third part of three-part mandatory safety related course credit which the student must complete to obtain a credit in the Nautical Science Diploma of Technology Program and the Canadian Watchkeeping Mate Certificate.

Students experience proper bridge watchkeeping practices and procedures on a blind pilotage simulator.

A simulated course designed for ship’s officers in order to execute proper bridge watchkeeping on board ships.

*Successful completion will satisfy the requirements for SEN I (Transport Canada) credit.

Radar Simulator’s Ownship’s Controls and Characteristics (IMO); Review of Plotting Skills (Basic Radar); Bridge Navigational Watch; Open Water Navigation (IMO); Operational use of ARPA; Coastal Water Navigation; and Navigate in or near Traffic Separation Schemes.

Prerequisite - NASC 2213 (Electronic Positioning Systems 2 (EPS 2))

Simulation - 70 hours (minimum of 10 days)

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to use the International Code of Signals, extract a variety of necessary information from the Canadian publications Radio Aids to Marine Navigation and Notices to Mariners – Annual Edition, send and receive signals by Morse light, and use IMO’s Standard Marine Communication Phrases.

International Code of Signals; Publications; Morse Code; Standard Marine Communication Phrases.

Prerequisites - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II)

Duration - 30 hours

Lectures - 3 hours/day for 5 days =15 hours total

Laboratories - 3 hours/day for 5 days =15 hours total

This advanced course in navigation develops the student’s ability to analyze and to solve problems connected with the safe and economic conduct of a passage.

The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of chartwork and pilotage up to and beyond that required for the Watchkeeping Mate Certificate of Competency.

Navigation Procedures; Advanced Chartwork; The Magnetic Compass; Pilotage; GPS; and Navigation Passage Making/Planning.

Prerequisites - NASC 2108 (Navigation); WKTM 1102 (Sea Phase I - Nautical Science)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 4 hours/week

Laboratories - 4 hours/week

This course is designed to build on previous courses to increase the student’s knowledge and understanding of cargo and cargo operations in a practical sense.

Voyage Planning and Loadlines; Liquified Gas Carriers; Chemical Tankers; Loading Stowage and Discharge of Heavy Weights; Timber Deck Cargoes; Timber Deck Cargo Code; Timber Deck Cargo Regulations; Livestock; Port Wardens; Cargo Surveys; Cargo Liner Trade; Tank and Hold Inspection; Future Trends

Prerequisite - NASC 2104 (Principles of Cargo Operations & Navigation)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 4 hours/week = 39 hours total

This course builds on the basic theory offered in Stability I (NASC 2101) to develop students’ ability to understand the principles governing small and large angles and intact stability.

Practical skills to solve onboard ship stability problems are developed. The elements of Dynamic Stability are discussed and the IMOs Intact Stability Requirements are covered.

The Metacentre and Metacentre Height; Small Angle Stability; Cross Curves; Large Angle Stability; Trim and Stability Assessment; Dynamical Stability; Special Criteria for Certain Ships; Considerations for Watertight Integrity; Practical Calculations Using M/V Atlantic Vision and M/V Gypsum Centennial.

Prerequisite - NASC 2101 (Stability)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours total

Laboratories - 1 hour/week = 13 hours total

The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of practical navigation to a level required for all ocean and offshore navigation on board ship.

Navigation principles are briefly revisited to ensure the student is fully conversant with the theoretical knowledge covered in other courses.

Navigation Principles; Latitude and Time of Meridian Passage; Latitude by Polaris; Position Lines and Position Circles; Sight Reduction Tables and Sight Planning; High Latitude Navigation

Prerequisites - NASC 2200 (Navigation); WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II - Nautical Science)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 4 hours/week = 52 hours

Laboratories - 4 hours/week = 52 hours

This advanced level course links stability theory with practical applications.

Drawing on the student’s knowledge of cargo operations and vessel stability criteria, this course will, through calculations, enhance the student’s ability to optimize cargo distribution and to provide adequate statical and dynamical stability for a vessel’s safe passage.

Damage Stability; Grounding and Docking; Pressure Exerted by a Liquid; Vessel Stresses; Longitudinal Strength; M. V. Atlantic Vision and M.V. Gypsum Centennial; Ship Motions; Cargo Loading and Stress Measuring Instruments and Software.

Prerequisites - WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II - Nautical Science); NASC 3108 (Stability)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures/Work Periods - 4 hours/week = 52 hours total

This is an advanced course designed to examine the application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Collision Regulations) by building on the knowledge acquired in NASC 2209 (Navigation Safety) and the seagoing experience gained during WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II).

Court judgments will be analyzed to illustrate how various rules are applied, particularly when dealing with concepts such as proper look-out, full appraisal, safe speed and positive action in ample time.

Collision Regulations Part A – General; Collision Regulations Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules; Collision Regulations Part C – Lights and Shapes; Collision Regulations Part D – Sound and Light Signals; Additional Canadian Provinces and Annexes

Prerequisites - NASC 2209 (Navigation Safety); WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 4 hours/week = 52 hours total

This course will enable the student to recognize the fallibility of all electronic aids.

The student will recognize the importance of combining different methods of marine navigation while possessing technical skills and a preparedness to fall back on basic, non-electronic navigation methods at any time.

Navigation Systems and Instruments; Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS); High Precision Positioning Systems; Dynamic Positioning (DP) Systems; Time; Electricity; Marine Compasses; Heading Control Systems and Auto Pilots; Bridge Equipment and Systems; Marine Radio Communications.

Prerequisites -WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II); NASC 2113 (EPSI); and NASC 2213 (EPS2)

Duration - 13 weeks

Laboratories - 4 hours/week for a total of 52 hours

This course deals with advanced topics in seamanship and is designed to build on both the student’s sea phase experience as well as other seafaring skills courses.

Like the other courses in the series, it is meant to prepare the student to become a professional seafaring officer.

Principles of Ship Handling; Steering Control Systems; Anchoring; Mooring; Navigating in Locks; Shipboard Emergencies at Sea and in Port; Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations; Ice Navigation; SOLAS 1974 as amended (The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea).

Prerequisites - NASC 1204 (Seamanship II), WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 5 hours/week = 65 hours total

This course is a continuation of NASC 3210 Navigation (Systems and Instruments I). The focus is on non-electronic navigation instruments, particularly the marine magnetic compass.

It will enable the student to gain knowledge of the principles of magnetic compasses, electromagnetic compasses and marine transmitting magnetic heading devices.

It will also enable the student to develop the ability to determine and allow for errors of the magnetic compass.

Magnetic Compass; Errors of the Magnetic Compass and their Correction; Compass Adjustment.

Prerequisites - NASC 2213 (Electronic Positioning Systems 2 (EPS 2)); WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week for a total of 39 hours

Bridge watchkeeping is the most important activity conducted at sea. The Officer of the Watch (OOW) is the Master’s representative and is responsible for the security of the ship and all those aboard.

The OOW needs to be proficient in navigation, have a fluent understanding of the Collision Regulations, know how to use the radar/ARPA, be familiar with the bridge instruments, know the ship and its routines, be able to respond to emergencies, handle communications, maintain records correctly and be able to work as a member of the bridge team.

This course provides students with an opportunity to build on previous knowledge and training and to practice watchkeeping skills in a simulated environment.

Introduction; Manoeuvring Data; Bridge Organization; Voyage Preparation; Officer of the Watch (OOW); Emergencies; Simulation.

Prerequisites - WKTM 2102

Duration - 49 hours

This is an introductory course designed to provide students with a working knowledge of basic navigation skills. The course will consist of theory and practical sessions intended to give the students this knowledge.

Chartwork and Chartwork Skills; Radar; GPS; Radar Plotting

Prerequisites - None

Duration - 14 hours

Lecture - 6 hours

Practical Sessions - 8 hours

This course is intended to prepare the student to sit for Transport Canada’s OOW – Orals examination.

The oral examination is administered by a Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security Examiner at a Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security examination center.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge outlined in the oral examination syllabus by appropriate responses, anticipations and reactions to a range of routine, non-routine and contingency scenarios as presented by the examiner, from the perspective of the duties and responsibilities associated with the Officer of the Watch certificate.

Watchkeeping Principles; Marine Sextant; Meteorology; Ship Handling Principles; Steering Control Systems; Anchoring and Mooring Procedures; St-Lawrence Seaway Transit; Cargo Operations; Emergency Response; IMO Conventions; Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations; Normal and Emergency Communications; Damage Inspection and Reporting; Preparation for Adverse Conditions; Canadian Legislation, Regulations and Vessel Documentation; Deck Machinery; Knots and Splices; Rigging.

Prerequisites - NASC 3211 (Seamanship III); WKTM 2102 (Sea Phase II)

Duration - 30 hours over a two-week period