RN to MN Conversion

Syllabus Delivery

The HNC in Nautical Science for this conversion course are arranged in 5 modules which are divided into two sets.

Each module has tutor marked tests (TMTs), pre-college tests and formal assessments. When students have reached the required standard for each module they must attempt pre-college entry tests before attending college to take the assessment/exam for each subject.

The breakdown of modules for each set is as follows:

Set One

Unit title: Marine Emergency Response and Communication

Unit code: F0LK 34

Unit purpose: This Unit introduces candidates to the internationally recognised procedures to be followed in response to emergencies and distress signals at sea. It also considers the action to be taken when language difficulties are encountered at sea and the correct procedures to be followed when transmitting or receiving information by visual signalling using Morse code or flag signals as per the International Code of Signals. The Unit will also enable the candidate to transmit and receive Morse code and flag signals using equipment found on board all merchant vessels.

Unit title: Marine Cargo Operations

Unit code: F0LM 34

Unit purpose: This Unit is designed to provide candidates with underpinning knowledge of a range of topics which will allow them to safely and efficiently carry out their duties as a Deck Officer of the Watch onboard a merchant vessel during cargo operations.

Unit title: Marine Law and Management: An Introduction

Unit code: F0LJ 34

Unit purpose: This Unit will introduce the candidate to the relationship between law, codes and other forms of guidance. It develops an awareness of the law, codes and guidance relating to ship and crew safety and operations. It also covers the principles of personnel management at operational level.

Set Two

Unit title: Celestial Navigation

Unit code: F0LS 35

Unit purpose: This Unit will introduce the candidate to the marine sextant and chronometer and will explain the correct procedures to obtain the time of observation and the observed altitude of celestial bodies. It will also introduce the concept of celestial navigation and enable the candidate to calculate the true bearing of any celestial object plus obtain a position line from a single observation of a celestial object. Finally it will introduce the procedure for determining the vessel’s position at sea from two or more observations of celestial objects. The contents and use of the Nautical Almanac will also be examined.

Unit title: Ship Stability: An Introduction

Unit code: F0LD 34

Unit purpose: This Unit is about applying the principles of ship stability for box and ship shape vessels to routine situations. It will develop knowledge of the principles of hydrostatics, loadline calculations, statical stability and transverse stability. It also gives an introduction to longitudinal stability.

To complete the underpinning knowledge for the Higher National Certificate (HNC) students are required to work through the learning material and submit work for marking on a regular basis. Once the required standard has been met, students are required to attempt a pre-college test before attending college to complete the assessment for each subject. Students have to prove competency, this means that all questions in tutor marked tests must be marked as competent before a pre-college test can be attempted. College assessments will not be arranged until students have received Proceed to College feedback on pre-college tests.

Assessments can be arranged through Blended Learning throughout the year, to meet MCA and awarding body requirements all assessments must be sat under invigilated conditions at Fleetwood Nautical Campus.

Individual Teaching, Learning and Assessment Plans will be created for each student at enrolment.