The Oceans Navigation/Celestial Navigation 500/1600 GRT Course covers all subject matter content required for an Oceans Endorsement.
A relevant math review section is included at the beginning of the course, covering topics and useful formulas. Our USCG approval includes the Navigation General practical exam, for which not all content is covered in this course. For your benefit, we have included access to practice Navigation General quizzes which pull from the USCG database of questions.
Learning Objectives
Course content includes: celestial terms, time zones, GHA, LHA, declination, observed altitude, the sextant, sunrise/sunset, sun line and running fix, latitude by Polaris, compass error, stars and planets, and the Sailings. Upon completion of the online content, students will be required to complete two online examinations through Halo Exams. The student will need to demonstrate the practical assessment requirements outlined in NVIC 02-18 and NVIC 12-14; 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D and 1.1F. The sign-off paperwork as well as assessor requirements will be mailed with the course materials.
Duration
This online course is based on an 80 hour in-person course.
Provided Materials
*Provided materials mailed to students must be returned at end of course (postage will be included)*
- Nautical Almanac, Sight Reduction Tables, Gnomonic Chart, Universal Plotting Sheets, Light list and Tide Table
Required equipment/supplies
- Calculator, Pencils, Erasers, Plotting triangles (2)
- Dutton’s Nautical Navigation, 15th Edition (978-1557502483) Recommended.
- American Practical Navigator, Bowditch, 1981 (ASIN: B017DLYMJI)
- Star Finder circular slide rule (many available on Amazon)
- Sextant (https://www.celestaire.com/product/davis-mark-3-sextant/)
System Requirements
Internet access is required. The preferred web browser is Google Chrome, but you may use Edge or Safari if necessary.
Approvals
USCG
Any applicant who has successfully completed your Oceans Navigation / Celestial Navigation (500/1600 Tons) (Blended) (NOREMI-968) course will satisfy the professional examination requirements for increasing the scope of the following endorsements from near coastal to oceans:
- Second or Third Mate of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage from near coastal to oceans; AND
- Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 500 or 1600 GRT; AND
- Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT; AND
- Master or Mate of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels from near coastal to oceans,
- The Celestial Navigation training requirements of 46 CFR 11.309(a)(4) (viii) for an STCW endorsement as OICNW on vessels of 500 GT; AND
- The celestial navigation assessments 1.1.A; 1.1.B; 1.1.C; 1.1.D; 1.1.E; and 1.1.F from NVICs 02-18 and 12-14(Ch-3), Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch.”
Dominica
The online Oceans Navigation/Celestial Navigation Blended Course covers the subject matter content required for Celestial Navigation and Oceans Navigation content and proficiencies for STCW endorsements as OICNW on vessels of 500 GT or more per STCW Code Table A-II/1 and STCW Code Table A/II-2.
Assessments
Written Examination
There are two required written exams for Oceans/Celestial Navigation (500/1600GRT):
- Navigation General: This exam includes 70 questions and requires a passing score of 70%.
- Navigation Problems: This exam includes 15 questions and requires a passing score of 80%.
The written exam can be taken online through HALO° Exams. You will receive 3 attempts for each exam. If you fail all 3 attempts of either exam, you must pay a retake fee of $25.00 for that exam.
Practical Assessment
- U.S. Licenses
The student will need to demonstrate the practical assessment requirements outlined in NVIC 02-18 and NVIC 12-14; 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D and 1.1F. The sign-off paperwork as well as assessor requirements will be mailed with the course materials.
- International Licenses
The student will need to demonstrate the practical assessment requirements outlined in NVIC 02-18 and NVIC 12-14; 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D and 1.1F. The sign-off paperwork as well as assessor requirements will be mailed with the course materials.
