NAEST O


  

Course Code: MX1EC466

  

Maritime & Nautical


Next course dates

Start DateLocationDuration / Fee
12/05/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £2,775Apply   
14/07/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £2,775Apply   
09/02/2026Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £2,970Apply   
25/05/2026Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £2,970Apply   

Course Overview

This Navigational Aids, Equipment and Simulator Training (Operational level) 4 week course gives candidates the essential education and training in the skills needed to keep a safe navigational watch and to use:

  • Radar
  • Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA)
  • Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
  • Echo sounders
  • Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS)
  • Voyage data recorders (VDRs)

and other electronic aids to maintain safety of navigation, meeting the knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) requirements set out in STCW A-II/1.

Validity of certificate     

Blackpool and the Fylde College is an accredited Maritime Training Centre and this course is accredited by the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

On successful completion of all parts of the course, candidates will receive:

  • A NAEST O certificate
  • An ECDIS Generic Training certificate

Where completion of an MNTB Training Record Book (TRB) is not part of the candidate's training, the NAEST O course meets the requirements for Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency required for STCW Table A-II/1 ‘Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch’.

Entry Requirements

Candidates following the experienced seafarer route to MCA first Certificate of Competency must meet the minimum 6 months watchkeeping service.

Candidates on a college/university based programme approved by the MNTB/MCA leading to an OOW Certificate of Competency need to have completed the first sea phase of their training to start the course.

This combined course which contains the Bridge Watchkeeping Simulator exercises should be undertaken at the final phase of the cadet training programme.

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

Career Options and Progression

Qualify as a ship's officer at operational level and progress to the next level of competence; NAEST M (management level). 
 
This certificate is internationally accepted for employment as an officer aboard merchant navy vessels. 

Assessment Methods

The course consists of 8 modules, each of which is both continuously and summatively assessed in both theory and practical application.  

  1. Electromagnetic wave theory and propagation 
  2. Global satellite navigation systems 
  3. Electronic chart systems (ECDIS) 
  4. Magnetic and gyro compasses, steering control systems, logs and echo sounders 
  5. Radar and automatic plotting aids 
  6. Automatic identification systems (AIS) 
  7. Integrated bridge systems 
  8. Maintaining a safe navigational watch 

Teaching and Learning Methods

Training consists of formal delivery of the underpinning theoretical principles of each topic followed by increasingly more complex practice and practical application on both desktop bridge simulators and full mission visual bridge simulators. 

Industry Placement and Field Trips

Not applicable to this course.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Writing and chartwork instruments are required.

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.

Tuition Fees

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

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