International Small Ships Command Course

The course anticipates a degree of prior experience (see Entry Standards below) both in the theory of maritime operations and in practice at sea. The broad areas of the syllabus are:

• Warfare environments refresher
• Explosive safety
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (short course)
• Seamanship
• Board and search operations
• General and Tactical communications
• Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) – Short Range Certificate (SRC)
• CBRN 2A (Ships fire fighting and Damage Control)
• Passage planning
• Pilotage
• Blind pilotage and Radar
• Ship handling
• Meteorology
• Relative velocity
• Navigation aids, GPRS/Echo sounders/Logs/Gyros
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Tides and time
• Chartwork
• Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System (WECDIS)
• Practical instruction and assessment in the Royal Navy Full Mission Bridge Simulator acting as the Commanding Officer during visual pilotage/blind by day and night, anchoring, ship handling and collision avoidance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• When available one week of practical instruction in a Royal Navy warship (OPV/MPV) operating in the Portsmouth, Plymouth or Clyde Exercise Areas, conducting maritime exercises designed to test and develop the students Command and leadership abilities, ship handling and collision avoidance knowledge in accordance with the International Prevention of Collision at sea. Students will be trained to plan and adjust serials working closely with the Ships team especially Commanding Officer, Navigator, Officer of the Watch and Bridge Team

• Officers selected as Commanding Officers or Executive Officers of MCMV’s, OPV’s and Corvettes. Must be of the rank of senior Lt or above with at least 4 years seagoing experience. Ideally should have completed the RN’s ILT, INOC or IPWO or national equivalents
• Eyesight standards are detailed at the front of the chapter
• Ideally should have completed the RN’s INOC, or IPWO or national equivalents
• Eyesight standards are detailed at the front of the chapter

NOTE: Where IELTS is at 6.0 it may be possible to arrange further assessment to meet the course requirements.

Continuous assessment and final examination to RN standards in:

• Rule of the Road (IRPCS) 90%
• Pilotage and Navigation Serials (Sim and sea) 70%

Post Course Recommendations

Having been taught the general principles, students will be expected to relate those principles to their own vessels.

NOTES:

The course emphasises the command aspects of peacetime operation of MCMVs, OPVs and Corvettes in support of activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone. The tactical use of these vessels in war is covered within the IPWO courses.