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overview
The Watchkeeping Mate position is the second or third person in the line of command on a vessel depending on the area and the type of vessel the person is serving on. The person's role is to safely monitor the ship's passage, and the safety of its crew and cargo. While at sea, the Mate on watch has three fundamental responsibilities:
- navigating the ship
- safely avoiding traffic
- responding to emergencies
While in port, the Mate focuses on duties such as:
- cargo operations
- fire and security watches
- mooring and anchoring
- responding to emergencies
View career video.
The Program
This 35 week full-time program consists of modular courses that prepare students for Transport Canada curriculum leading to the Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal Certificate of Competency. The holder of this certificate may be employed as:
- Officer in charge of the watch on board a vessel of any tonnage engaged on a near coastal voyage, class 1 and 2.
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of not more than 3000 GT engaged on a near coastal voyage class 1 and 2.
- Chief mate on board a vessel of any tonnage engaged on a sheltered-waters voyage.
Individuals wishing to obtain the STCW Watchkeeping Mate Certification will be required to complete one more course: NAUT 1825 - Astro Navigation 2. It is possible to take this course within the Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal program.
program entry
Apply to program
Please contact the BCIT Marine Campus Registration Office at 604-453-4111 for information on how to apply to this program.
costs & supplies
» books and supplies required [PDF, 274KB] for the Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal program
Tuition fees
Please contact the BCIT Marine Campus Registration Office at 604-453-4111 for information on tuition fees, payments and refunds.
Books and supplies
For information on textbooks, please contact the BCIT Bookstore at 604-432-8379 or 877-333-8379 (toll-free within Canada).
courses
Program matrix
| 1. Required Courses: |
Credits |
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ENAV 1000 |
Simulated Electronic Navigation I - Part A
This course provides students with the basic knowledge of the principles, application, and limitations of modern electronic navigational aids.
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8.0 |
| |
ENAV 1050 |
Simulated Electronic Navigation I - Part B*
Simulated Electronic Navigation I - Part B is a Transport Canada accredited course and is STCW compliant. This radar simulator course is conducted using Transport Canada approved pilotage simulators, providing practical exercises as required for navigational watchkeeping duties on the bridge of a ship.
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5.0 |
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ENAV 3100 |
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)**
The purpose of this course is to enhance safety of navigation by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to fully utilize the features of ECDIS. The requirements of the course conform to IMO's Performance Standards for ECDIS. Training and assessments incorporate the use of live marine ECDIS equipment. The course provides training in the basic theory and use of ECDIS. The training comprises all safety relevant aspects, as well as the theoretical aspects of the characteristics and display of ECDIS. Students will perform exercises in setting up and maintaining an ECDIS display, basic navigation functions, setting up and monitoring a route, and performing proper actions necessary for a safe navigational watch. Prerequisite: Knowledge of Chartwork and Pilotage.
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2.0 |
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NAUT 1805 |
Communications 1
This course guides participants on the use of International Code of Signals for coding and decoding messages and procedures to be applied for communication by visual signalling; on the use of Radio Aids to Marine Navigation for ascertaining facilities and services; and on extracting necessary information from the Annual Notices to Mariners. Prerequisite: Students to be able to recognize and know the meaning of International code flags prior to taking this course.
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2.0 |
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NAUT 1810 |
Communications 2
This course covers communication by Morse code using flashing light or sound signals; the use of Standard Marine Navigational vocabulary as replaced by the International Maritime Organisation Standard Marine Communication Phrases; use English in written and oral form in communication with other ships and coast stations. Prerequisite: Students to be able to recognize and read by light the Morse symbols prior to taking this course.
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2.0 |
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NAUT 1820 |
C&P 2 - Chartwork and Pilotage 2
This course provides students with the necessary skills and techniques to navigate in confined and open waters. A detailed knowledge and application of nautical publications required for coastal navigation and passage planning is included in this course. An emphasis on the importance of updating charts and nautical publications is also provided.
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10.0 |
| |
NAUT 1840 |
NS 1 - Navigation Safety 1
The course provides students with the fundamentals of keeping a safe navigational watch. Emphasis is given to International and Canadian Collision Regulations.
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3.0 |
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NAUT 1850 |
MET 1 - Meteorology 1
This course covers details on the development of maritime weather patterns and systems. The contents include atmosphere, atmospheric pressure, wind, cloud, precipitation, visibility, frontal systems, ocean currents, depressions and storms. Students will make weather observations from instruments, record and report on weather conditions.
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6.0 |
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NAUT 1864 |
Ship Construction and Stability 4
This course combines knowledge of ship's principal structural members, strength, and the use of the ship's stability information booklet to calculate the vessel's stability condition in order to maintain seaworthiness. The course also includes knowledge and application of the computer software used to calculate stability and hull stresses (bending moments and shearing forces) on modern ships.
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18.0 |
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NAUT 1872 |
Cargoes 2
This course covers Canadian and International regulations pertaining to the safe carriage of cargoes as transportation on vessels. The basic knowledge on the safe handling, stowage and securing of cargoes along with the associated equipments are also covered in this course. The types of cargoes covered are: Deck, Container, Bulk, Dangerous, Hazardous and Harmful cargoes.
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6.0 |
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NAUT 1875 |
GSK 3 - General Ship Knowledge 3
This course includes the study of International and Canadian regulations for the prevention of pollution and protection of the marine environment by oil and other hazardous materials. Students will demonstrate their ability to use Canada's Shipping Act and relevant regulations for safety of life and pollution prevention. Students will also acquire basic working knowledge of the Canadian Labour Code and Occupational Health and Safety Legislation.
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4.0 |
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NAUT 1882 |
General Seamanship - Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal
This course is a tutorial course that reviews content required for an oral examination with Transport Canada Examiner. The main content that are reviewed are maintaining a safe navigational watch; lifesaving and distress signals; weather routeing; ship-handling under various weather conditions; manoeuvring characteristics; anchoring and mooring; IMO and IAMSAR; response to emergencies; search and rescue; seaworthiness; rigging, and other seamanship related topics.
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2.0 |
*NOTE: Prior to enrolling in ENAV 1050 - Simulated Electronic Navigation 1 Part B (SEN 1B), students must complete the following courses: - ENAV 1000 - Simulated Electronic Navigation 1 Part A (SEN 1A)
- GMDS 1500 - Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime Commercial (GMDSS ROC MC)
- NAUT 1840 - Navigation Safety 1 (NS 1)
- NAUT 1820 - Chartwork and Pilotage 2 (C&P 2)
**NOTE: Prior to enrolling in ENAV 3100 - Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), students must have knowledge of chartwork and pilotage. |
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| 2. Students requiring an upgrade to the STCW Watchkeeping Mate certification must complete the following course: |
Credits |
| |
NAUT 1825 |
Astro Navigation 2***
This course provides students with a means to navigate a vessel by terrestrial and celestial methods. The course contents include shape of the earth and the graticule system; plane sailing; parallel sailing; Mercator and great circle sailing; determining a vessel's position by using celestial bodies; and theory and practice of sextant. It is strongly recommended that Students should review algebraic and trigonometric functions prior to taking this course.
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16.0 |
| ***NOTE: This additional course will be offered to students upgrading their certification to an STCW Watchkeeping Mate level. |
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| Total Credits: |
68.0 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Continue Your Education
A Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal (WKMNC) certification from Transport Canada requires the following additional courses:
- Standards Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 95 Basic Safety (BST)
- Survival Craft (SC)
- Marine Advanced First Aid (MAFA)
- Advanced Fire Fighting (AFFOC)
- Marine Emergency Duties D
- Global Maritime Distress Safety System Restricted Operator Certification Maritime Commercial (GMDSS ROC MC)
Note: Basic Safety Training, Survival Craft and the Marine Advanced First Aid courses must be completed prior to registering in the Advanced Fire Fighting course. The Advanced Fire Fighting course must be completed prior to taking the Marine Emergency Duties D, Senior Officer Certification course.
For more information about specific progressive occupational licensing and BCIT credentials, please contact the chief instructors, Capt. Louis D'Mello at 604-453-4102 or Capt. Ivan Pichugin at 604-453-4106.
Sea service requirements
According to the Marine Personnel Regulations SOR/2007-115, sea service requirements are not a prerequisite for being accepted into the program. However, sea service will be required for the General Seamanship oral examination with Transport Canada. For sea service details please refer to section 134 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, inquire at your nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office, or visit Transport Canada - Marine Transportation.
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
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Big Info Session March 31
Join us on March 31 from 5-8 p.m. for our Big Info Session and Program Expo.
Find out more >
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