Module Details

Module Code: NAUT7004
Title: Ocean Navigation
Long Title: Ocean Navigation
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2013/14 ( September 2013 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5253 - Nautical Science
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provies the learner with the practical knowledge and skills for ocean navigation using taditional and modern methods. It includes the full scope of long range off-shore navigation, celestial/astro navigation and great circle navigation, as required by STCW Regulation II/1
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Use Parallel, Plane and Mercator sailing techniques
LO2 Use information from the Nautical Almanac and standard Navigation Tables to solve navigational problems
LO3 Determine the true bearing of a heavenly body and compare with an observed bearing of the body to find the compass error
LO4 Determine the location of a celestial position line from a single observation of a heavenly body
LO5 Derive a positional fix from two or more position lines derived from astronomical or other sources
LO6 Use great circle sailing techniques
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
9171 NAUT6004 Navigation and Meteorology
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
none
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
none
 
Indicative Content
The Sailings
Parallel Sailing. DR and Estimated Positions using the plane sailing formula and also given compass course and compass error, log distance, estimated speed, tidal and current information and leeway. The track and distance between two positions and the final position given the initial position and track and distance steamed, using Mercator Sailing.
Azimuth
establishing the compass error by calculation or derivation of the true bearing of a heavenly body, by azimuth or amplitude.
Meridian altitude
Latitude from a sextant altitude of a body on the observer's meridian. Latitude by Polaris. Pre-computation of the sextant altitude for a body when on the observer's meridian.
Line of Position (LOP)
The use of tradional navigational formulae to calculate a Line of position and its location on the Earth's surface. The use of navigation tables or acceptable electronic methods for this purpose.
The Positional "Fix"
The different types of position lines, eg. LOP obtained from a celestial observation, a visual bearing, an electronic bearing, a radio hyperbolic LOP. The position of the observer using two or more position lines obtained from simultaneous altitudes. The position of the observer on a moving vessel, using two or more position lines obtained from altitudes with a small time difference between observations. The position of the observer at the end of the run using two or more position lines obtained from astronomical sights, given the courses and distances made good between the sights.
Great Circle sailing
The initial and final track angles, distances and waypoints with respect to a great circle track. The position of the vertex and the concept of the vertex of a great circle track which lies on the limiting latitude, with parallel sailing along that latitude, to derive a composite great circle track. The use of a gnomonic chart to obtain a great circle track between two positions, and to obtain intermediate waypoints. The use of the information from the gnomonic chart to transfer a great circle track on to a mercator chart.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination80.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Open-book Examination % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 4 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
The Sailings and use of the Nautical Almanac
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 5,6
Assessment Description
Position lines and Great Circle Sailing techniques
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 80
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact theory Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact sample questions Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Peacock, Lieutenant Commander Alan. (2008), Principles of Navigation: Admiralty Manual of Navigation Volume 1, 10th. All, Nautical Institute, [ISBN: 9781870077903].
  • The Royal Navy. (2011), Admiralty Manual of Navigation Vol 2 Astro Navigation, 10th. All, Nautical Institute, [ISBN: 9781906915308].
  • Frost, A.. (2004), Practical navigation for officers of the watch, All, Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd., Glasgow, [ISBN: 9780851747071].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • website, US Naval Observatory. Data Services,
    http://aa.usno.navy.mil/
  • Intranet, Ocean Nav course notes and work material, as directed, NMCI public folders.
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SNASC_7 Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science 6 Mandatory
CR_SNAST_7 Certificate in Nautical Studies 1 Mandatory
CR_SNASC_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Nautical Studies 4 Mandatory