Course Overview
This course provides students with the basic knowledge of the principles, application and limitations of modern electronic navigational aids.
Prerequisite(s)
- Navigation Safety 1 (NS 1) and Chartwork and Pilotage 2 (C&P 2)
Credits
6.0
Domestic fees
$1,957.24
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the use of radio waves in navigation systems.
- Describe a hyperbolic positioning system.
- Describe the operational principles of global navigation satellite systems, such as the GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO.
- Describe the operational principles of shore-based augmentation systems, such as the differential GPS.
- Describe the operational principles of echo sounder systems (electronic depth sounding systems).
- Describe the operational principles of electronic speed and distance measurement systems.
- Describe the operational principles of an AIS (Automatic Identification System).
- Describe the operational principles of a VDR (Voyage Data Recorder).
- Describe the theory of magnetism as applied to ferromagnetic materials.
- Describe the effects of the earth’s magnetic field, and the ship’s magnetic field, on the compass needle.
- Describe the principles and operation of the gyrocompass.
- Explain the principles and operation of fluxgate compasses, and transmitting magnetic compasses.
- Describe the principles and operation of an automatic pilot system (automatic steering system).
- Describe the theory and operation of marine radar systems.
- Describe the operational principles of Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA).
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2019
Related Programs
Electronic Positioning Systems (ENAV 1030) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs with a co-op option.
School of Transportation
- Nautical Sciences
Diploma Full-time
- Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal (WKMNC)
Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of ENAV 1030 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 47047
Dates
Sep 10 - Oct 01 Loading
- CRN 47047
- $1957.24 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 - Oct 01 | Mon - Fri | 08:30 - 16:00 | Marine BMC Rm. 232 |
Duration
3 weeks
Instructor
Myles Alphonso
Course outline
Important information
- COPIES of prerequisites must be submitted to the instructor on the first day of the course. Please refer to prerequisite section of course webpage for details. You must purchase the required manuals and text(s) from the BCIT Bookstore: www.bcitbookstore.ca/bcit/ You can have the physical, Spiral/Paperback, manual shipped to Marine Campus library, and have it picked up on your first day of class. Alternatively, you can purchase the Digital Version where available. Required equipment to be obtained by students: marine chart dividers, parallel rulers or triangles. Also required are pens, pencils, erasers, calculators and notebooks.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.