Ship Handling Course
Course Code: MX1EC28
Maritime & Nautical
Next course dates
| Start Date | Location | Duration / Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anytime | Fleetwood Nautical Campus | 1 Week/ £15,515 | Enquire |
Not ready to book? Enquire here about our upcoming dates:
Course Overview
This course is primarily designed for experienced Masters, Pilots, and senior deck officers who require advanced ship handling skills in a safe training environment. The programme is particularly beneficial for professionals adapting to new assignments, larger vessels, or challenging operational environments, as well as junior officers preparing for command positions.
You will gain comprehensive training in advanced ship handling techniques, manoeuvring theory and practical skills through state of the art simulation. Completion of this course will enable you to handle vessels safely and efficiently in confined waters, adverse conditions and complex port environments whilst maintaining the highest standards of seamanship.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Delegates must have completed the following:
- Demonstrate extensive sea-going experience in command or senior officer positions, or
- For junior officers: minimum OOW Officer certification with progression to senior ranks.
Assessment Methods
The training consists of comprehensive practical and theoretical modules delivered over 5 days:
- Advanced Manoeuvring Theory - principles of ship behaviour, pivot point movement, advance and transfer calculations
- Confined Water Operations - shallow water effects, bank suction, channel navigation and interaction phenomena
- Port Operations and Berthing - complex docking and undocking procedures with and without tug assistance
- Environmental Factors - wind, current, and tidal effects on ship handling and compensatory techniques
- Emergency Ship Handling - crisis management, equipment failures and emergency response procedures
- Anchoring and Mooring - advanced anchoring techniques, emergency anchoring and mooring operations
Key areas covered include:
- Control of ship motion using various forces including rudder, propeller, thrusters and tugs
- Pivot point theory and practical application during turns and alongside operations
- Shallow water navigation and squat effects on vessel handling
- Bank effect and ship-to-ship interaction in narrow channels
- Wind and current compensation techniques for precise manoeuvring
- Emergency procedures including loss of propulsion, steering failure and anchoring emergencies
- Thruster operation and limitations in various sea states and conditions
- Communication protocols with tugs, pilots, and port authorities
- Risk assessment and decision-making in confined waters
- Advanced berthing techniques for different vessel types and port configurations
- Canal and lock operations including timing and positioning strategies
- Meeting and overtaking procedures in restricted waters
Assessment is through practical demonstration of ship handling skills using full-mission simulators, scenario based emergency response exercises, oral examination covering manoeuvring theory and principles, written assessment of regulatory knowledge and continuous evaluation during practical training sessions.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Mainly simulator training with de-briefing sessions.
Industry Placement and Field Trips
There is no work placement or field trips as part of this qualification.
Other Costs and Equipment Needed
Accommodation and transfers and are not provided within this course.
Participants should bring dividers, triangles, and basic navigation plotting tools for theoretical work and exercise planning.
Expert Tutors
All staff involved in the delivery of any courses within the College are approved to teach and/or assess the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering and/or assessing a given programme are appropriately qualified, with relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
