SECTION 1: ROPE WORK
....................................................................................

1) Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
2) Ability to make, and knowledge of the use of: figure of eight, bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, single and double sheet bend, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches
3) Securing to cleats, use of winches and general rope handling

SECTION 2: ANCHOR WORK & MOORING
....................................................................................

1) Characteristics of different types of anchor
2) Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring and mooring

SECTION 3: SAFETY
....................................................................................

1) Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use
2) Fire precautions and fire fighting, galley safety
3) Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets
4) Distress signals and ability to send them including VHF radiotelephone
5) Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

SECTION 4: RULES OF THE ROAD (IRPCS)
....................................................................................

1) Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)
2) General rules (all other rules)

SECTION 5: DEFINITION OF POSITION, COURSE & SPEED
....................................................................................

1) Latitude and longitude
2) Knowledge of standard navigational terms
3) True bearings and courses
4) The knot

SECTION 6: NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS & PUBLICATION
....................................................................................

1) Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
2) Navigational publications in common use
3) Chart correction

SECTION 7: NAVIGATIONAL DRAWING INSTRUMENTS
....................................................................................

1) Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

SECTION 8: COMPASSES
....................................................................................

1) Application of variation and deviation Use of transits and comparison to check deviation
2) Importance of swinging compass
3) Use of hand bearing compass
4) Sitting of steering compass

SECTION 9: CHARTWORK
....................................................................................

1) Working up position from course steered, distance run and estimates of leeway and set
2) Plotting fixes
3) Working out course to steer to allow for leeway and set

SECTION 10: POSITION FIXING
....................................................................................

1) Sources of position lines
2) Potential accuracy of fixing methods

SECTION 11: TIDES & TIDAL STREAMS
....................................................................................

1) Tidal definitions, levels and data
2) Tide tables, standard and secondary ports
3) Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height from standard port
4) Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

SECTION 12: VISUAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION
....................................................................................

1) Lighthouses and beacons, daymarks, transits, light characteristics

SECTION 13: PASSAGE PLANNING
....................................................................................

1) Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages

SECTION 14: NAVIGATION IN RESTRICTED VISABILITY
....................................................................................

1) Precautions to be taken and limitations imposed by fog

SECTION 15: METEOROLOGY
....................................................................................

1) Sources of broadcast meteorological information
2) Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft

SECTION 16: PILOTAGE
....................................................................................

1) Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
2) IALA system of buoyage for Region A
3) Use of sailing directions

SECTION 17: ELECTRONIC AIDS TO NAVIGATION
....................................................................................

1) Introduction to Decca, GPS, Radar