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: 6 February 2026 — See all updates

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 with MGN 691

Published 19 January 2024

Last updated 6 February 2026 + show all updates

1. 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."

2. 19 January 2024

   First published.