Celestial and Oceans Navigation Course

Based on the 80-hour Celestial Navigation segment of the IMO Model Course 7.03 for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch.

100% Online United States Coast Guard Approved

$1500 Enroll Now

Celestial and Oceans Navigation Course

This self-paced online course is based on the 80-hour Celestial Navigation segment of the IMO Model Course 7.03 for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch. Upon completion, your course certificate may be presented to the USCG within one year to meet the 46 CFR 11.309(a)(4)(viii) requirements for STCW endorsements A-II/1 and A-II/2 as OICNW on vessels of 500 GT or more. This certificate also satisfies professional examination requirements for increasing endorsements from near-coastal to oceans for various ranks, including Mate or Master (under 1600 GRT), Second or Third Mate (unlimited tonnage), and Master or Mate of OSVs, Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels, and vessels under 200 GRT.

Celestial and Oceans
Navigation Course

Master the Art of Celestial Navigation

Gain essential skills to guide your vessel across open waters with precision. This course covers everything from understanding celestial terms to mastering the sextant, preparing you for confident, compass-free navigation.

Navigate the Oceans with Confidence

Harness celestial navigation techniques for reliable, open-ocean voyages. Build practical skills to safely navigate without electronic systems, empowering you to travel confidently across global waters.

Interactive, Online Learning at Your Pace

Complete the course and exams online, making it easy to fit training into your schedule. Our partnership with SmarterServices provides secure, integrated proctoring for certification integrity.

Navigate with Stars, Planets, and the Sun

Learn to use celestial observations and tools like the sextant and Polaris to determine your latitude. This course prepares you for accurate day and night navigation, ensuring reliable open-ocean travel.

Celestial and Oceans Navigation Course Topics

This self-paced online course is based on the 80-hour Celestial Navigation segment of the IMO Model Course 7.03 for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch.

Compass Error

You will learn to identify and correct for compass error, ensuring accurate navigation by accounting for magnetic influences.

Stars and Planets

You will gain skills in identifying stars and planets and using them as reliable references for night navigation.

Observed Altitude

You will discover how to measure and interpret the observed altitude of celestial bodies to apply in navigation calculations.

The Sextant

You will learn to use the sextant for measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon, a fundamental skill in determining position at sea.

Sunrise/Sunset

You will learn how to calculate sunrise and sunset times to assist with determining your approximate longitude and for daily navigational planning.

Celestial Terms

You will learn the essential vocabulary and concepts needed to interpret and apply celestial navigation principles effectively.

Prepare for STCW OICNW Certification and Beyond

Gain the skills and knowledge necessary for STCW certification as an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on vessels of 500 GT or more. STCW Code Tables A-II/1 and A-II/2

Achieve Advanced Maritime Endorsements

This course meets Coast Guard standards, allowing mariners to expand their credentials from near-coastal to oceans. Gain the knowledge required for Mate and Master endorsements up to 1600 GRT.

Course Requirements

The following is the minimum computer requirements:

Desktop or laptop computer (Mac or Windows-based PC). Chromebooks are also acceptable.

Windows PCs require a minimum of Windows 7.

Macs require a minimum of macOS 10.10.

Minimum Recommended Speeds:

Internet 1 Mbps – Download

Internet 1 Mbps – Upload

Google Chrome web browser, version 74 or higher

Web Camera (final exams only)

Microphone (final exams only)

Required Texts:

Nautical Almanac

Sight Reduction Tables

Gnomonic Chart

Universal Plotting Sheets

Light List

Tide Table

Dutton’s Nautical Navigation, 15th Edition

American Practical Navigator, Bowditch, 1981

Required Equipment:

Calculator

Pencils and Erasers

Plotting Triangles (2)

Star Finder Circular Slide Rule (available on Amazon)

Sextant

Testing Requirements:

Navigation General: Oceans 70 Questions 70% to pass

Ocean Navigation Problems: 15 Questions 80% to Pass

All exams are conducted online within the course in partnership with our proctoring provider, SmarterServices.

Practical Assessment:

To successfully complete the course, you will demonstrate your ability to use celestial bodies to determine the ship's position through practical assessments as outlined in NVIC 02-18 and NVIC 12-14 (1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D, and 1.1F). The necessary sign-off paperwork and assessor requirements will be available for download within the course. Once completed, simply upload your documents directly to the course platform.

Pricing

Topics include:
Solar System, Celestial Sphere and Equinoctial System of Coordinates, Hour Angle, Daily Motion and Horizontal System of Coordinates, Sextant and Altitude corrections, Amplitude, Time and Equation of Time, Nautical Almanac, Latitude by Meriden Altitude, Pole Star Observations, Position Fixing, Deck General

Course Material Provided: