Guidance

MCA Course Criteria for Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course: “Small Ships Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping” and “Small Ships Radar & Meteorology” - 2nd edition

Published 10 July 2026

1. Introduction

This document provides the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) criteria which will cover the mandatory minimum requirements for the safe use of Radar, Electronic Charting System(s) (approved for navigation) and the application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, as amended.

Training courses developed in line with these criteria and delivered at centres approved by the MCA, will cover Small Ships Radar & Meteorology Course and Small Ships Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping course.

The specifications described in this document have been developed by the MCA. The specifications described in this document will satisfy the requirements for training. Small Ships Radar and Meteorology, and Electronic Charting System (ECS) and Bridge Watchkeeping course training shall be approved by the MCA in accordance Annex F of MSN 1865 (Amendment 1) and MIN 643. This course can be delivered peripatetically, limited to the UK. 

Where a training centre delivers this course at locations other than its principal training facility (peripatetic delivery), there shall be no dilution in the quality of training, assessment, facilities, equipment, or learner support. The training centre shall ensure that all requirements specified within this document, including those relating to facilities, equipment, simulators, instructional resources, quality management, and health and safety, are fully met at each delivery location and are subject to the same standards of oversight and quality assurance as those applied at the principal training facility.

Course providers must inform the MCA (by email to stc.courses@mcga.gov.uk) of every course planned to run at least 3 weeks before the course commences. Where this is not possible due to a request at short notice, the training provider must inform the MCA as soon as the request comes in.

Course providers must accept that they may be subject to unannounced audits at these locations. Please refer to MSN 1865 (Amendment 1), Annex F, section 4.3 for further requirements relating to peripatetic training.

This training has been developed to meet the mandatory training requirements of Workboat Code 3 for Radar and Electronic Chart Systems. It is required for all Masters and crew responsible for a navigational watch or who will operate the radar.

The aim of Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping:

To give candidates the essential education and training needed to keep a safe navigational watch and to use electronic charts, and other electronic aids to perform effective bridge watchkeeping in small vessels.

The aim of Small Ships Radar and Meteorology:

To provide candidates with the knowledge and practical skills required to use radar and obtain and interpret meteorological information in order to maintain the safety of navigation on small vessels.

Competence: Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge watchkeeping

Plan and conduct a coastal passage and determine position.

Maintain a safe navigational watch.

Competence: Radar and Meteorology

Maintain a safe navigation watch by using Marine Radar and metrological information.

2. Training plans

Centres will need to present their training plans as part of the approval process. Centres are encouraged to fully engage learners in the learning processes using interactive teaching methods supported by appropriate use of one or more of the following:

• Practical demonstration
• Simulation
• Team exercises
• Continuous assessment
• Summative assessment (theory and practical)
• Any appropriate methodology of teaching approved by the MCA

A training day has been defined as one which has no more than eight contact hours and cannot be in excess of ten hours in total.

The training shall be structured around the outcomes although centres shall devise their own training schedules and detailed plans for individual sessions to ensure effective and logical delivery of the subject matter to achieve the objectives of the training.

2.1 Training duration: Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge watchkeeping

The training shall be not less than 20 hours duration over three days. This period can be split into short sessions to suit local needs by arrangement with the training centre concerned; and flexible methods of training delivery are encouraged wherever this is possible.

2.2 Training duration: Radar & Meteorology Training Duration

The training shall be not less than 16 hours duration over two days. This period can be split into short sessions to suit local needs by arrangement with the training centre concerned; and flexible methods of training delivery are encouraged wherever this is possible.

3. Entry Requirements

Students shall verbally confirm on the day that they are fit and well enough to participate in practical exercises.

Candidates shall have a basic understanding of navigational principles, including basic chartwork and knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) 1972, as amended.

It is recommended that candidates have experience navigating small vessels and hold a level of certification that permits commercial operation in Area Category of Operation 6 or higher.

Candidates undertaking the combined 5-day course must complete the Small Ships Radar and Meteorology module before completing the Electronic Charting System (Approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping module.

3.1 Electronic Charting System (Approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping Module

This module may be undertaken as a standalone course. Candidates should have a basic understanding of navigational principles and experience navigating small vessels.

3.2 Radar and Meteorology Module

This module is intended for Masters and crew of commercially operating small vessels (<24m) who are responsible for the use of radar and have not previously undertaken approved radar training.

Candidates are recommended to have completed the Electronic Charting System (Approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping module or possess equivalent knowledge and experience.

4. Assessment requirements

Assessments shall be organised so that learners can, through demonstration and examination, show that they meet the competences.

The assessment system, methods and practice shall be valid, reliable and authentic.

Each learner shall receive an assessment plan at the start of the training.

The assessment system shall support appeals made by learners against assessment decisions.

A variety of sources of evidence may be used and shall include evidence of learners’ ability to meet the criteria for evaluating competency.

A range of written examinations, oral questioning and direct observation of practical simulation are considered ideal approaches to generating much of the evidence required.

Assessment shall be formally documented and be made available for verification audits.

At the end of the training, the candidate shall demonstrate the knowledge and skills specified in the aims and objectives of the course.

4.1 Assessment of Competence

The principal aim of assessment is to ascertain whether the candidate achieves the stated objectives of the training to a level which, in the opinion of the assessor(s) and taking account of the criteria below, is considered satisfactory.

The assessor(s) must evaluate the performance of each candidate progressively over the entire duration of the training. In most cases, weaknesses will be highlighted during de-briefing sessions and due account must be made of any subsequent improvement in performance.

It is vital that a failed assessment should be considered where a candidate does not show significant improvement in performance after initially reacting to potentially dangerous situations in an unacceptable manner. The certificate should be withheld until satisfactory re-training and assessment have been undertaken. Relevant weak points must be discussed between the assessor(s) and the candidate concerned.

4.2 Note

Failure to comply with the foregoing criteria at specific points during the training shall not imply a failed assessment if the candidate is subsequently aware of their mistake(s) and gives positive indications that subsequent performance has improved to an acceptable level.

The final performance will be an indication of the competence level achieved, and the issue of the certificate shall reflect an acceptable level of competence.

For the Electronic Charting Systems (Approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping module, particular attention shall be paid to the fact that this may be the only simulator training within the training scheme and an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate to an assessor a level of competence in certain navigational skills.

5. Qualifications of instructors and assessors

Training and assessment must be undertaken by persons qualified in accordance with the provisions of Table A5.1, Appendix 5 of Workboat Code Edition 3, as amended (page 218), holding a minimum of a management level certificate that allows the holder to work commercially as a Master on a Small Vessel (<24m) in Area Category of Operation 1 or a recognised equivalent as may be accepted by the MCA.

The instructor/assessor shall:

1. Have completed and passed both modules of the Small Ships Navigation and Radar course or demonstrate experience and certification to a level superseding this courses content, to the satisfaction of the MCA.

2. Be familiar with the simulator equipment and characteristics of the models in use, including the application of simulators in training.

3. Have an acceptable teaching qualification deemed suitable by the MCA during course approval or successfully completed the IMO train the trainer course Regulation I/6 and Section A-I/6 of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended or equivalent.

Examples of teaching qualifications deemed suitable to the MCA:

• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
• Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS)
• City and Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training
• Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
• Certificate in Education Postgraduate
• Certificate in Education
• Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) levels 3 and 4 in Learning and Development
• Scottish Training Qualification for Further Education (TQFE)
• Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

6. Facilities and equipment

Training centres seeking approval will need to demonstrate availability of suitable facilities for practical, general, and theoretical instruction, appropriately equipped with teaching and learning aids and designed to enable each learner to fully engage in the learning process and shall have a Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with STCW Convention regulation I/8.

To support effective learning and ensure that all learners can fully engage in the training process, training centres shall provide access to equipment and simulator workstations on a one-to-one (1:1) basis.

Where operational, logistical, or resource constraints necessitate shared use of equipment, the learner-to-workstation ratio shall not exceed two learners per workstation (1:2). Financial considerations, cost savings, or commercial factors shall not, in themselves, constitute sufficient justification for deviating from a 1:1 arrangement. Any deviation from a 1:1 arrangement shall be justified by the training provider in accordance with the approval guidance and supported by evidence demonstrating that training quality and learner outcomes will not be adversely affected.

In all cases, the training provider shall demonstrate that the use of shared workstations does not adversely affect the quality, effectiveness, or intended learning outcomes of the training programme. Learners must be provided with sufficient hands-on operating time, practical experience, instructor engagement, and assessment opportunities to achieve the required competencies and learning objectives to the same standard that would be expected under a 1:1 arrangement.

The training must be undertaken using the following minimum range of equipment, which may be live or simulated. Simulators should meet the same minimum functionality of the equipment mentioned below.

• A global navigational satellite system (GNSS) receiver
• An echo sounder
• AIS
• ECS approved for navigation, including those designed and approved for carriage on coded vessels
• A marine radar set
• A radar/ARPA simulator of a type deemed appropriate by the MCA through course approval or as specified in Workboat Code Edition 3, as amended. The use of a training vessel to supplement the simulator would be at the discretion of the training centre

The performance standards for Radar/Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) shall be as per IMO resolution MSC.192(79). The performance standards for ECDIS shall be as per IMO resolution MSC.232(82) (as amended). The performance standard and guidance for approved ECS and Mini- ECDIS can be found in MGN 319 - Amendment 2.

6.1 General performance standards for simulators used in training

Each Party shall ensure that any simulator used for mandatory simulator-based training shall:

• Be suitable for the selected objectives and training tasks;
• Be capable of simulating the operating capabilities of shipboard equipment concerned, to a level of physical realism appropriate to training objectives, and include the capabilities, limitations and possible errors of such equipment;
• Have sufficient behavioural realism to allow a trainee to acquire the skills appropriate to the training objectives;
• Provide a controlled operating environment, capable of producing a variety of conditions, which may include emergency, hazardous or unusual situations relevant to the training objectives;
• Provide an interface through which a trainee can interact with the equipment, the simulated environment and, as appropriate, the instructor; and
• Permit an instructor to control, monitor and record exercises for the effective debriefing of trainees.

6.2 General performance standards for simulators used in assessment of competence

Each Party shall ensure that any simulator used for the assessment of competence required under the Convention or for any demonstration of continued proficiency so required shall:

• Be capable of satisfying the specified assessment objectives;
• Be capable of simulating the operational capabilities of the shipboard equipment concerned to a level of physical realism appropriate to the assessment objectives, and include the capabilities, limitations and possible errors of such equipment;
• Have sufficient behavioural realism to allow a candidate to exhibit the skills appropriate to the assessment objectives;
• Provide an interface through which a candidate can interact with the equipment and simulated environment;
• Provide a controlled operating environment, capable of producing a variety of conditions, which may include emergency, hazardous or unusual situations relevant to assessment objectives; and
• Permit an assessor to control, monitor and record exercises for the effective assessment of the performance of candidates.

7. Health and Safety: conduct of training

All training centres shall adhere to applicable regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, as amended, and take proper account of the advice given in associated guidance documents and ‘Approved Codes of Practice’. Outside the UK, training centres shall adhere to relevant national legislation.

Training centres are required to make assessments of any potential risks to the health and safety of staff and learners that may be associated with their activities. They are also required to identify, implement, monitor, and review effective measures for minimising and controlling risks.

Centres are required to make effective arrangements for dealing with any emergency, incident or accident that may occur during the course of the training. In the UK, the foregoing is required in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, as amended.

The safety of learners and staff delivering training shall be ensured at all times.

Practical exercises should be designed and delivered solely to meet the course criteria.

Centres shall draw up their own safe working procedures to meet statutory Health and Safety obligations.

8. Quality standards

The arrangements for delivering the training and assessing competency must be continuously monitored through a quality standards system to ensure achievement of defined objectives.

Training centres are required to maintain a quality standard through documented procedures that shall be inspected at intervals not exceeding five years.

The quality standards systems and evaluation arrangements may be part of a centre’s overall quality assurance system.

On achievement of the desired standard of competence, a certificate will be issued by the centre in the format shown in Annex A.

8.1 Instructor to learner ratio

The instructor to learner ratio shall not exceed 1:12 for both practical and non-practical sessions. The minimum number of candidates for this course shall be 3.

The training centre, having due regard to health and safety and the objectives of the training, shall determine other staffing requirements.

8.2 The UK General Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)

The training centre must provide individuals with information including: the purpose for processing personal data, retention records for that personal data, and who it will be shared with. The MCA call this a ‘privacy notice’ which must be provided at the time of data collection. The training centre must ensure that candidates’ Passport, National Insurance, Driving Licence, Birth Certification numbers, etc, is not displayed on documentation, e.g., the certificate issued to successful candidates.

9. Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge watchkeeping learning outcomes

Outcome 1: The learner can explain the functions and applications of electronic charts and electronic charting systems (approved), and how principles of safe navigation are used with them.

1. Charts
   1. Differences between vector, raster, official, and non-official charts.
   2. Chart ordering and updating.
   3. Data sources and category of zone confidence (CATZOC).
   4. Symbology and interrogating chart features (pick reports).
2. Electronic Charting Systems
   1. Key types (approved/non-approved) and associated standards/regulations.
   2. Required inputs and outputs including and sensor setup.
3. Device Setup
   1. Chart loading and selection (scales).
   2. Orientation, zoom levels, base, standard and custom displays, vectors/trails.
   3. Overlays, to include ARPA and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
4. Safety settings
   1. Safety depth/contour calculations.
   2. Contours and safety depth settings.
   3. Anti-grounding.
   4. Alarms and indications.
   5. Man-overboard functions.
5. Position monitoring
   1. Methods of position fixing and application to electronic charting systems.
   2. Monitoring global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) integrity, verification of position and datums.
   3. Suitable actions and alternate fixing methods in situations of GNSS denial.
6. Tides
   1. Tidal calculations using digital means.
   2. Using tidal calculations with electronic charts and routes.
7. Routes
   1. Requirement for route planning.
   2. Route planning, validation, and editing.
   3. Route monitoring.

Outcome 2: The learner can apply knowledge of bridge watchkeeping.

1. Set up procedures for global navigation satellite systems and navigational aids other than those previously referred to.
2. Operational limitations and errors in the use of bridge equipment.
3. Echo sounder use including operational misunderstandings and use of warning limits.
4. Use of relevant M Notices and Bridge Procedures Guide (BPG).
5. Use of radio communication equipment.
6. Use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
   1. Different system types and performance characteristics.
   2. Any limitations, benefits, and the reliability of data.
   3. The use of AIS when complying with the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.
7. Sources of navigation warning data.
8. Passage plan development including the use of all relevant publications.
9. Compass errors, and corrections.
10. Effective monitoring of courses by hand steering or autopilot.
11. Watchkeeper briefing and handover procedures.
12. Bridge record keeping.

10. Small Ships Radar & Meteorology Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: The learner can explain radar theory and demonstrate the practical operation of radar.

1. Types of Radar and differences in use.
2. Using Radar as a ranging device.
3. Use and limitations of radar for bearing measurement.
4. Effect of horizontal bandwidth, particularly on land targets.
5. Use of Sea and ground stabilised modes of operation.
6. Display set up procedures including the use of performance monitoring facilities.
7. Understanding of the heading marker and its alignment.
8. Sea and rain clutter settings.
9. Relative and true motion displays.
10. True and relative trails and vectors.
11. Head-up (unstabilised) and North-up (stabilised) displays.
12. Shadow sectors and blind arcs.
13. False echoes.
14. Plotting as an aid to collision avoidance.
15. Position fixing and radar navigation.
16. Use of parallel indexing techniques.
17. Semi-automatic and automatic plotters.
18. Errors associated with automatic plotting aids.

Outcome 2: The learner can understand and explain weather reports and predictions, and the effect on navigation, the vessel, and equipment.

1. How to obtain weather information.
2. Use of weather reports in relation to a proposed passage plan.
3. Actions upon encountering reduced visibility.
4. An appreciation of voyage limitations imposed by reduced visibility.
5. Possible effect of wind on tracks made good.
6. The effect of wind on tides and tidal streams.
7. Local weather anomalies.
8. Effect on sensors/equipment of weather.

11. Guidance on training programmes Small Ships Electronic Charting Systems (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping

The training covers the basic principles of coastal navigation, passage planning and the use of electronic aids to navigation commonly found on small vessels. The training is designed to be mainly practical and includes simulator-based exercises representative of real situations and tailored wherever possible to local navigational circumstances. The exercises will be appropriate to the maturity and experience of the participants and will seek to promote high standards of safe navigation and watchkeeping. The group discussion and analysis after every exercise is regarded as a significant contribution to achieving the aims of this training.

1. The training must include the programme of simulator exercises described in this section, but training centres are free, within the following general guidelines, to design the details of their own exercises.
2. The conduct of the simulator exercises and of the training must be adapted as appropriate to take account of the prior experience of the participants.
3. The format of practical exercises will consider the following:
   1. The principles of safe navigational watchkeeping.
   2. The use of typical navigational equipment including correct set up procedures.
   3. Sound principles of chartwork using electronic means.
   4. Selection of navigational data appropriate to prevailing circumstances.
   5. Use of other electronic aids to navigation including AIS.
   6. Effective bridge watchkeeping organisation.
   7. The planning and execution of passages in confined and open waters, including the use of relevant navigational publications.

11.1 Required exercises

The practical exercises will be designed and conducted around three main themes and will emphasise the importance of the principles of keeping a safe navigational watch and bridge procedures as applied to small vessels.

Theme 1: Passage planning in coastal water

1. Setting up ECS (approved) to produce a passage plan in coastal water.
2. Monitoring of the ship’s track on ECS (approved) in coastal waters.
3. Position fixing on ECS (approved) using electronic aids to navigation.

Theme 2: Navigation in coastal waters and collision avoidance

1. To make a passage plan to show all relevant details including margins of safety, clearing lines, limits, etc., and include pre-arrival and departure briefing to enhance bridge teamwork.
2. Enhance the candidate’s ability to work as part of a bridge team when making landfall and navigating in coastal waters.
3. To apply the principles of effective bridge resource management procedures.
4. To evidence effective and explicit communication including the keeping of a communications log.

Theme 3: Passage through areas of heavy traffic with navigational restrictions

1. Collision avoidance manoeuvres.
2. Interaction with vessel traffic services.
3. Limitations of ECS and AIS in the navigational role;
4. The occasional malfunction of equipment used in navigation and collision avoidance, including alarm management.

12. Guidance on training programme – Radar and meteorology

The training covers the basic principles of radar operation and meteorology using equipment that may be found on small vessels. The training is designed to be mainly practical and includes simulator-based exercises representative of real situations and tailored wherever possible to local navigational circumstances. The exercises will be appropriate to the maturity and experience of the participants and will seek to promote high standards of safe navigation and watchkeeping. The group discussion and analysis after every exercise is regarded as a significant contribution to achieving the aims of this training.

The practical exercises will be designed and conducted around two main themes and will emphasise the importance of the principles of keeping a safe navigational watch and bridge procedures as applied to small vessels.

The initial exercise shall introduce the candidate to the equipment and consolidate knowledge of the use of radar. Adequate familiarisation time on the simulator and its equipment should be allowed before any assessment commences.

Theme 1: Navigation in clear visibility

1. To refresh candidates’ knowledge and skills in utilising radar with special emphasis on exercising: modes of display, orientation, stabilisation, parallel indexing.
2. To illustrate the need to ascertain the position of own ship.
3. To monitor progress of own ship by using parallel index techniques when making a landfall and navigating in coastal waters.

Theme 2 – Navigation and collision avoidance in clear and in poor visibility through an area of heavy traffic

1. To ascertain the position of own ship and monitor progress when making a landfall and navigating in coastal waters.
2. The production and execution of a navigational voyage plan using, the concept of parallel index techniques, the effects of tidal streams and wind prediction and allowances, the recognition and response to malfunction of equipment.
3. To produce and execute a passage plan through an area containing focal points for traffic and traffic separation zones.

13. Annex A

13.1 Specimen certificate – Small Ships Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping

To be produced and registered locally by the Issuing Authority.

Certificate no:	(Issuing Authority to allocate)
MCA Approval Certificate No:	(MCA Approval Certificate No.)
Issuing Authority:	(Address and contact details)
Tel:	Email:
Title of Certificate:	Small Ships Electronic Charting System (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping Course
This is to certify that:	(Full name of candidate)
Date of birth:	(DD/MM/YYYY)
has successfully completed small ships “Electronic Charting system (approved) and Bridge Watchkeeping” course approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.	This Certificate is issued under the authority of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an executive agency of the Department for Transport
Issuing Authority Stamp and Date	(Stamp and date)
Signature and name of Principal or authorised representative of the Approved Training Centre	(Signature and name)
Signature of person to whom this certificate was issued	(Signature)

Inquiries concerning this certificate should be addressed to the Issuing Authority at the address above.

13.2 Specimen certificate – Small Ships Radar and Meteorology Course

To be produced and registered locally by the Issuing Authority.

Certificate no:	(Issuing Authority to allocate)
MCA Approval Certificate No:	(MCA Approval Certificate No.)
Issuing Authority:	(Address and contact details)
Tel:	Email:
Title of Certificate:	Small Ships Radar and Meteorology Course
This is to certify that:	(Full name of candidate)
Date of birth:	(DD/MM/YYYY)
has successfully completed small ships ships “Radar and Meteorology” course approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.	This Certificate is issued under the authority of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an executive agency of the Department for Transport
Issuing Authority Stamp and Date	(Stamp and date)
Signature and name of Principal or authorised representative of the Approved Training Centre	(Signature and name)
Signature of person to whom this certificate was issued	(Signature)

Inquiries concerning this certificate should be addressed to the Issuing Authority at the address above.