Ship Handling

This course is the first of many courses on the conjoined topic of both meteorology and sailing; it is a course based on Basic Marine Weather Training to show how marine meteorology is beneficial to all seafarers.

This course gives an introduction to IMO requirements for an INS (Integrated Navigation System), and specifically the RAVEN INS by Norwegian Electric Systems.

This course deals with meteorological navigation in terms of atmospheric circulation and pressure changes which influence the winds and the sea state.

When the vessel is loading cargo, it is important to not only load the maximum amount but also to comply with the provisions of the International Convention on Load Lines - 1966. Failing to comply with the provisions of the convention can lead to huge fines for the ship and also cause unnecessary delays. (This course will teach ship officers how to correctly use the load lines to ensure the maximum cargo is loaded onto the ship in compliance with the convention.)

A good captain must be able to handle his ship, using his knowledge base from previous experiences on his vessel and the different weather conditions he has sailed in throughout his career. There will always be variables that he will need to consider, evaluate and then adapt to suit the current situation to ensure a successful outcome. The weather can be adverse, but we can use it for the best manoeuvring result. Knowing the foundational basics is the best starting point.

A ship-to-ship transfer occurs when cargo such as oil or gas is transferred from one ship to another. Oil tankers and gas carriers keep growing bigger and bigger, and for economic reasons or due to draft restrictions, sometimes these vessels do not go alongside in port but instead do an STS transfer. Unfortunately, this comes with the risk of causing pollution or fire accidents in the case of cargo leakage into the open sea. Extreme coordination, proper equipment, and approval for the performance of such operations are required, hence the importance of proper training.

This course will cover the Collision Regulations as per the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs).

This course will cover the Collision Regulations as per the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs). Additionally, it will cover COLREGS from a USCG (US Coast Guard) perspective. These are also known as Rules of the Road and will be explained from an international perspective and inland waters in the USA. This course will prepare you to pass the US Coast Guard license exam at any level.

This course explains all the basic principles of weather formation.

An anchor is an essential tool, often underestimated. However, dropping an anchor remains the last thing to do when there are no other options available, and in its simplicity can help us save a manoeuvre. In this course, we will see how to use the anchor practically to moor, unmoor, slow down or stop the ship by going through some of the manoeuvres performed. We will also see how and when to intervene to manage an emergency.

Man Overboard is one of the various emergencies that can occur onboard ships, and like every other emergency, a man overboard requires immediate and precise intervention. To ensure that action is taken without delay in such an event, every crew member onboard is trained in man overboard procedures and drilled on their specific duties at regular intervals as required by SOLAS. The correct and timely application of the procedures to be followed will in return increase the probability of a successful recovery and decrease the probability of casualty.

This course will introduce, explain and teach you how to apply Rule 6 of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (Rules of the Road).