Guidance

Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course Criteria

Course criteria for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency's Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Published: 19 January 2024
• Last updated: 10 February 2026
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  1. 10 February 2026

     2.3 has been clarified: "If doing the combined 5-day course, candidates must complete the Small Ships Radar and Meteorology module prior to completing the Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping module. Candidates may, however, take the ECS module on its own if the radar component is not required."

  2. 6 February 2026

     Only significant change is to 2.3 Entry Requirements (for Small Ships Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge watchkeeping): "Candidates must complete the Small Ships Radar and Meteorology module prior to completing the Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping module."

  3. 19 January 2024

     First published.

This publication was withdrawn on 13 July 2026

Small ships navigation and radar course criteria has been replaced by Small Ships Navigation and Radar course criteria - second edition.

Documents

MCA Course Criteria for Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course: “Small Ships Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping” and “Small Ships Radar & Meteorology”

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Details

This guidance provides information and outlines the first edition of the syllabus for the Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course, established in November 2023.

This is guidance to all Owners, Masters, Officers, Ratings and those concerned with maritime training. This guidance should be read with MGN 691