MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course

The MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course is designed to give small vessel operators the practical knowledge and confidence needed to navigate safely in coastal and offshore waters. This MCA-approved training covers key navigation skills including chartwork, passage planning, position fixing, buoyage, and collision avoidance, as well as the effective use of marine radar for navigation in restricted visibility and busy traffic areas.

Through a combination of theory and practical exercises, delegates learn how to interpret radar information, monitor vessel movement, and make informed decisions to maintain safe navigation. The course is ideal for skippers, watchkeepers, and crew working on commercial small vessels who require recognised certification and a strong foundation in modern navigational practice.

It fulfils the requirements for professional skippers working under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Codes of Practice for Small Vessels Operated Commercially.

The subjects included are:

• Basic Navigation Principles

• Chartwork and Position Fixing

• Passage Planning

• Buoyage Systems

• Tides and Tidal Planning

• Collision Regulations (COLREGs)

• Radar Theory and Operation

• Radar Navigation and Plotting

• Navigation in Restricted Visibility

• Practical Radar Exercises

The prerequisites for the MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar (SNNR) Course include:

• Basic Sea Knowledge: Familiarity with small vessel operations and basic seamanship.

• Mathematics & English: Ability to perform basic calculations and understand navigational instructions in English.

• Age Requirement: 18

• Medical Fitness: Must meet the standard medical requirements for seafarers.

• Optional: Prior experience in navigation or completion of an MCA-approved introduction to navigation course can be beneficial but is not mandatory.