Guidance

Navigation and ARPA Simulation (NARAS) Examination Syllabus

Published 3 January 2018

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1. Exam details

1.1 Duration

This module will be conducted over a minimum period of ten days, or 60 hours, of formal instruction with a maximum of eight hours in any one day of study.

The theory of Navigation, Passage Planning, Radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) and Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Electronic Navigation Aids and Search and Rescue will be delivered with the practical syllabus and should cover at least 30 hours of formal training.

1.2 Content

This module will contain sections on:

  • Passage Planning;
  • The Collision Regulations;
  • Radar and ARPA;
  • ECDIS and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS);
  • Search and Rescue.

Practical simulator exercises will occupy at least 30 hours use of a Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) type-approved Radar and Navigation Systems Bridge Simulator to demonstrate competency in planning and monitoring techniques, blind pilotage, collision avoidance and Search and Rescue. The candidate must have an approved ECDIS certificate to undertake this module.

1.3 Assessment

The assessment will be in two parts:

In-course practical assessment:

Candidates must satisfactorily complete the in- course assessment before they are eligible to take the written exam.

The in-course assessment will consist of:

  • Preparing a detailed passage plan for a passage, in estuarial or coastal waters.
  • A series of simulator exercises demonstrating competence in general navigation including the use of electronic navigational aids (radar, ARPA and ECDIS) and a thorough understanding and application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS or COLREG).

Written theory 2.5 hour examination:

The theory will be assessed by a written examination at the end of the second week of the course. Entry to the written examination requires Candidates to have passed the in course practical assessment.

A candidate must achieve an overall pass mark of at least 60% to pass the written examination.

2. Simulation and in-course practical assessment

2.1 Passage planning

2.1.1 Appraisal and planning

  1. Identify most suitable route – consult all relevant documentation.
    1. Pilot book information: shallow patches, restricted areas, conspicuous landmasses, offshore dangers.
  2. Set courses on charts:
    1. Berth to berth;
    2. Between points of departure and destination;
    3. Identify and highlight dangers on the charts.
  3. Current and Tidal publications:
    1. Prevailing currents and tides (heights and directions) in relevant places.
  4. Reporting areas: Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and other communication requirements.
  5. Assess and allow suitable margins of safety from dangers.
  6. Sources of Weather information throughout route:
    1. Winds;
    2. Potential fog;
    3. Ice;
    4. Other aspects, including Tropical Revolving Storms that could restrict passage or require deviation.

2.1.2 Determine all aspects affecting navigation

  1. Identify position fixing arrangements.
  2. Identify transit bearings and other means of determining the compass error.
  3. Set up parallel indexing and identify index ranges.
  4. Define contingency arrangements.
  5. Establish ‘abort’ position when approaching confined waters.
  6. Identify Traffic Separation areas.
  7. Identify any other special areas and restrictions, which may affect the safe navigation.

2.1.3 Pre-sailing briefing

  1. Understand the importance of pre-sailing briefing.
  2. Identify information to be discussed at pre-sailing briefing.

2.1.4 Use of ECDIS with passage planning

  1. Plan and save a route using ECDIS, adding text and warnings, where necessary.
  2. Set appropriate alarm parameters, i.e. safety depth, safety contour, cross track error.
  3. Determine the availability of appropriate charts and their coverage.

2.1.5 Fuel consumption and range

  1. Determine total distance to travel and fuel consumption.
  2. Determine safe fuel reserve required.
  3. Determine fuel required at departure port.

2.1.6 Execution and monitoring

  1. Navigation safety.
    1. Determine course to steer to make good a desired course.
    2. Fix vessel’s position by visual and/or radar – cross check.
    3. Fix vessel’s position by electronic navigational aids - cross check.
    4. Monitor the vessels progress by ECDIS.
    5. Monitor the vessel’s position by parallel index with reference to the planned track in coastal and estuarial waters and port approaches.
    6. Maintain the vessel in a safe position.
    7. Execute ‘contingency arrangements’ in the event of steering failure, engine breakdowns, and blackouts.
    8. Monitor other vessels by radar/ARPA.
    9. Comply fully with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
    10. Use information from an MKD unit or AIS/ARPA/ECDIS interface to enhance situation awareness.
    11. Conduct a pre-planned coastal passage in the simulator in clear and/or reduced visibility demonstrating seamanlike navigation and chartwork skills.

2.1.7 Conduct arrival briefing

  1. Understand the importance of arrival briefing.
  2. Identify the information to be discussed at an arrival briefing.

2.2 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

2.2.1 Application of the IRPCS - practical exercises on an approved simulator

  1. Appreciate the need for early and substantial action and dangers of assumptions made on inadequate information.
  2. Take suitable action in compliance with the rules to avoid close quarter situations with vessels in sight of one another.
  3. Take suitable action in compliance with the rules to avoid close quarter situations with vessels detected by radar alone, but not observed visually.
  4. Determine a safe speed taking into account all prevailing conditions.
  5. Whilst conducting a simulated passage, analyse potential collision risks when in a potential multi-vessel encounter, determine and execute best action to avoid a close quarter situation.

2.2.2 Principles of search and rescue - practical application of search and rescue operations

  1. Understand the basic contents and use of International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual vol. III.
  2. Conduct a simulated multiple ship search and rescue (SAR) exercise to include at least three ships.
  3. Establish an on-scene coordinator (OSC) for an exercise clear of coastal control;
    1. Delegate responsibilities;
    2. Establish a datum;
    3. Conduct full communications and instructions;
    4. Initiate multiple ship search patterns;
    5. Establish inter-ship communications to prepare for recovery.
  4. Make own ship ready for SAR operations and casualty recovery.
  5. Manoeuvre to recover survivors.
  6. Understand how the use of ECDIS can aid the search patterns.

Note

The exercise should reflect the implications of GMDSS and other additional facilities available to assist SAR.

2.3 Radar

2.3.1 Radar display

  1. Understand modes of operation.
  2. Understand and utilise the advantages of the different display orientations.
  3. Understand and utilise the advantages of the different modes of display.
  4. Understand and utilise the advantages of sea and ground stabilization.
  5. Appreciate and utilise target trails.

2.3.2 Use of radar in navigation

  1. Demonstrate the correct use of radar for navigation including use of Parallel Indexing.
  2. Understand and demonstrate the use of electronic range and bearing lines (ERBL) to make controlled turns (Concentric Indexing).
  3. Operate ARPA radar interfaced with an ECDIS.
  4. Understand advantages and limitations of ARPA and tracked target overlay on ECDIS display.
  5. Understand advantages and limitations of overlaying radar picture onto ECDIS.

2.3.3 Practical radar plotting

  1. Perform paper and real-time simulator plotting of more than one target.
  2. Determine effect of own ship alteration of course on CPAs of other targets.
  3. Demonstrate safe decisions based on forecast plots that fully comply with IRCPS.

2.4 ARPA & target tracking

Introduction

This part of the course follows the structure of the MCA approved ARPA course: it serves as refresher training for those candidates already ARPA qualified.

(Note: the term ARPA includes the target tracking capabilities of newer radars).

Objectives

On successful completion of training the student will be able to use ARPA to maintain safety of navigation.

  • Obtain and analyse the data provided;
  • Take action as required for the safe conduct of navigation based on correct interpretation and analysis of ARPA data;
  • Understand the dangers inherent in over-reliance on ARPA data;
  • Understand the capabilities and limitations of the system and the factors which can affect the system’s performance and accuracy.

2.4.1 IMO performance standards for ARPA.

  1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the performance standards, in particular relating to accuracy.

2.4.2 Factors affecting system performance and accuracy

  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of ARPA sensor input parameters – radar, compass and speed inputs and the effects of sensor malfunction on the accuracy of ARPA data.
  2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the effects of the limitations of radar range and bearing discrimination and accuracy and the limitations of compass and speed input accuracies on the accuracy of ARPA data.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that influence vector accuracy.

2.4.3 Tracking capabilities and limitations

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the criteria for the selection of targets by automatic acquisition.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the factors leading to the correct choice of targets for manual acquisition.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects on tracking of lost targets and target fading.
  4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the circumstances causing ‘target swap’ and its effects on displayed data.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the limits imposed on both types of acquisition in multi-target scenarios.

2.4.4 Processing delays

  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the delays inherent in the display of processed ARPA information, particularly on acquisition and re-acquisition or when a tracked target, or own ship, manoeuvres.

2.4.5 Operational warnings

  1. Demonstrate the uses, benefits and limitations of ARPA operational warnings and their correct setting, where applicable, to avoid spurious alarms and distraction.
  2. Demonstrate an appreciation of true and relative vectors and typical graphic representation of target information and danger areas.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of true and relative vectors, derivation of targets’ true courses and speeds, including:
    1. Threat assessment;
    2. Derivation of predicted closest point of approach and predicted time to closest point of approach from forward extrapolation of vectors;
    3. The effects of alteration of course and/or speed of own ship and/or targets on predicted closest point of approach and predicted time to closest point of approach and danger areas;
    4. The effects of incorrect vectors;
    5. The benefits of switching between true and relative vectors.

2.4.6 Information on past positions of targets being tracked

  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the derivation of past positions of targets being tracked.
  2. Recognise historic data as a means of indicating recent manoeuvring of targets.
  3. Demonstrate setting up and maintaining displays.
  4. Demonstrate:
    1. The selection of display presentation; stabilised relative motion displays and true motion displays;
    2. The correct adjustment of all variable radar display controls for optimum display of data;
    3. The selection as appropriate of required speed input;
    4. The selection of ARPA tracking controls, manual and automatic acquisition, vector display of data;
    5. The selection of the time scale of vectors;
    6. The use of exclusion areas when automatic acquisition is utilised;
    7. Performance checks of radar compass and speed input sensors and ARPA.

2.4.7 Obtaining information from the ARPA display

  1. Demonstrate an ability to obtain information in both relative and true modes of display, including:
    1. The identification of critical echoes;
    2. The speed and direction of target’s relative movement;
    3. The time to and predicted range of target’s closest point of approach;
    4. The courses and speeds of targets;
    5. Detecting changes of targets’ courses and speeds and the limitations of such information;
    6. The effect of changes in own ship’s course or speed or both;
    7. The operation of the trial manoeuvre.

2.4.8 Application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea

  1. Demonstrate an ability to analyse potential collision situations from displayed information, determine and execute action to avoid close quarters situations in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

2.4.9 Interfacing ARPA with other systems

  1. Demonstrates an understanding of the ability to integrate data between navigational aids and their limitations. (ARPA/RADAR, ECDIS and AIS).
  2. Demonstrates an appreciation of the dangers and limitations of data transfer between equipment.

2.5 ECDIS

2.5.1 Knowledge of and ability to use ECDIS

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the operational difference between ECS & ECDIS.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principal types of electronic charts available:
    1. Raster charts;
    2. Vector charts.
  3. Be aware of S-52 & S-57 International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) performance standards.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of electronic nautical charts (ENCs) and their use with ECDIS.
  5. Create a voyage plan using ECDIS.
  6. Apply appropriate safety settings.
  7. Execute a safety check on the voyage plan.
  8. Control of navigational functions and settings.
  9. Manage specific functions of route monitoring.
  10. Demonstrate an understanding of status indications, indicators and alarms.
  11. Manage Radar, ARPA and AIS overlays.
  12. Monitor integrity of the system.
  13. Demonstrate an understanding of the dangers of over reliance on ECDIS.
  14. Knowledge of procurement, licensing and updating procedures.
  15. Knowledge of the voyage log requirements and procedures.

2.6 AIS

2.6.1 Is aware of the uses and limitations of AIS

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the objectives of AIS.
  2. Aware of the Self-Organized Time-Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA).
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of AIS data:
    1. Understands the information included in static data;
    2. Understands the information included in dynamic data;
    3. Understands the information included in voyage related data;
    4. Understands the associated transmission intervals for each group of data.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of safety and security related messages.
  5. Aware of the use of AIS as aids to navigation.
  6. AIS Ship Installations:
    1. Understands carriage requirements;
    2. Understands the MKD configuration;
    3. Understands the radar/ECDIS configuration;
    4. Use of AIS at Sea.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for checks of own ship input data.
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of AIS data on a radar or ECDIS display.
  9. Demonstrate caution when making decisions based on AIS target data.
  10. Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of AIS compared with radar.
  11. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and use of target identification.

3. Written Theory Examination Syllabus

3.1 Passage planning

3.1.1 Appraisal, planning execution and monitoring

  1. Can describe the appraisal process.
  2. Can list the publications needed to undertake an appraisal on a chosen voyage.
  3. Can state that appraisal includes:
    1. Adequate and appropriately qualified crew;
    2. All certification in date;
    3. Sufficient fuel, food, water and spares for the voyage.
  4. Can calculate fuel consumption and adequate reserves for the proposed voyage.
  5. Can describe the planning process.
  6. Can describe the execution process.
  7. Can describe the purpose of monitoring.
  8. Can produce a short passage plan for a voyage using relevant publications and data.

3.1.2 Atlantic and European tides

  1. Can describe the relationship between chart datum, lowest astronomical tides (LAT), mean high water springs (MHWS), mean low water springs (MLWS) and highest astronomical tides (HAT).
  2. Can state the information contained in the Admiralty Tide Tables.
  3. Can calculate height and range of tide for standard and secondary European ports using the method in the Admiralty Tide Tables.
  4. Can calculate the height of tide for a given time at standard and secondary European ports using the method in the Admiralty Tide Tables.
  5. Can calculate the time for a given height of tide at standard and secondary European ports using the Admiralty Tide Tables.

3.1.3 Pacific tides

  1. Can demonstrate an understanding of the use of Pacific tide tables.
  2. Can demonstrate an understanding of differences between Pacific and Atlantic tides.

3.2 Radar, ARPA and ECDIS

3.2.1 Use of Radar, ARPA and ECDIS in navigation

  1. Can state the advantages and limitations of ARPA or Target Tracking Radar overlay on ECDIS display.
  2. Can describe the advantages and limitations of overlaying radar picture onto ECDIS.
  3. Can state that navigational data can be transferred between navigational aids (ARPA/Radar, ECDIS, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), Depth sounder, Compass and AIS).
  4. Can describe the dangers and limitations of data transfer between navigational equipment.
  5. Can describe true and relative vectors and typical graphic representation of target information and danger areas used in ARPA, ECDIS and AIS.
  6. Can state the ARPA performance standards in particular the standards relating to accuracy.
  7. Can state the operational difference between ECS & ECDIS.
  8. Can state the principal types of approved electronic charts available.
  9. Can describe the S-52 & S-57 IHO performance standards.
  10. Can identify symbols used on approved ECDIS charts as published by the Admiralty Quick Guide to ENC Symbols.
  11. Can describe the significance of ENCs and their use with ECDIS.
  12. Can list the status indications, indicators and alarms of ECDIS as listed in IMO Res MSC 232(82).
  13. Can execute a safety check on a voyage plan.
  14. Can describe the dangers of over reliance on ECDIS.
  15. Can describe the procurement, licensing, updating procedures for charts used in ECDIS.
  16. Can describe the procedures for updating voyage log.

3.2.2 Practical radar plotting

  1. Can carry out radar plotting of more than one target and deliver a detailed report.
  2. Can determine the effect of own ships alteration of course on closest point of approach (CPAs) of other targets.
  3. Can determine the effect of own ships alteration of speed on CPAs of other targets.
  4. Can determine the alteration of speed or course to maintain a CPA to other targets.
  5. Can determine earliest time of course resumption from a radar plot.
  6. Can determine the correct application of the International Rules for the Prevention of Collision to radar plotted targets in clear and restricted visibility.

3.3 Search and rescue

3.3.1 Principles of search and rescue

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic contents and use of IAMSAR Manual vol III.
  2. Can state the role of the OSC when clear of coastal waters.

3.3.2 Practical search and rescue operations

  1. Can describe the use of search patterns.
  2. Can describe the tasks involved in making a ship ready for SAR operations and casualty recovery.
  3. Can describe how ECDIS can be used to aid planning in the use of search patterns.
  4. Can construct or calculate simple rendezvous situations with another vessel.

3.4 Electronic position fixing and information systems

3.4.1 Electronic navigation position fixing systems

  1. Can describe the principles of terrestrial hyperbolic navigation position fixing.
  2. Can describe the principles of current satellite navigation systems.

3.4.2 The uses and limitations of AIS as an information system

  1. Can state the objectives of AIS.
  2. Can state the purpose of SOTDMA.
  3. Can state the elements of AIS data:
    1. Static data;
    2. Dynamic data;
    3. Voyage related data; and
    4. The associated transmission intervals for each group of data.
  4. Can describe the use of safety and security related messages.
  5. Can describe the use of AIS as an aid to navigation.
  6. Can state the carriage requirements.
  7. Can describe the MKD and radar/ECDIS configuration.
  8. Can describe the need for checks of own ship input data.
  9. Can describe the use of AIS data on a radar or ECDIS display.
  10. Can describe the dangers of making decisions based on AIS target data.
  11. Can describe the advantages and disadvantages of AIS compared with radar.

3.5 Ocean navigation

  1. Can describe the dangers to navigation in areas where ice is present.
  2. Can describe the limitations to the navigation equipment in high latitudes.
  3. Can describe the precautions to be taken before and when navigating in an area where ice may be present.
  4. Can state the publications and other sources of information relevant to navigating in ice.

3.5.2 Ocean sailing

  1. Can define a Great Circle
  2. Can state that a great circle track is the shortest distance between two points on the earths surface.
  3. Can explain why a Great Circle track drawn on a Mercator chart will show as a curve.
  4. Can state that ECDIS can be used to calculate a great circle track, alter course positions on a great circle track and vertices of a composite great circle track.

3.5.3 Ocean routing

  1. Can describe the purpose and use of ocean routing charts.
  2. Can plan an ocean passage using relevant pilot book extracts.
  3. Can describe the use of the publication ‘Ocean Passages for the World’ in conjunction with ocean routing charts.
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