Nautical Sciences

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers provides standards regarding emergency, occupational safety, and survival. The course provides these standards to meet minimum requirements for familiarization, basic safety, fire fighting, and survival in emergency situations, and the syllabus is in compliance with TP 4957, December 2016.
Prerequisite(s):

• A valid Seafarers Medical or completed Medical Clearance form. https://www.bcit.ca/files/transportation/pdf/marine/form_medical_clearance.pdf

This course teaches orderly abandonment of a vessel in an emergency situation; clearing the vessel; proper and effective use of equipment; and coordinating survival activities during rescue operation. The course is designed for certificated officers and for certificated ratings. Such personnel are required to complete a comprehensive MED training program of which Survival Craft is one component. This course meets the requirements of Table A-VI/2-1 of the STCW Convention Specification of the minimum standard of competence in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
Prerequisite(s):

• Minimum of 16 years of age and must hold a valid MED A1, MED A2, or STCW Basic Safety training certificate.

The course content is based upon the IMO Model Course, ISPS Code, the Marine Transportation Security Regulations, Transport Canada's Marine Security requirements and guidelines for a Ship Security Officer. The techniques and skills required to address the qualifications and duties of Ship (Vessel) Security Officer: (a) the security of a ship, (b) implementing and maintenance of a ship security plan, and (c) liaising with a Company Security Officer (CSO) and a Port (Marine) Facility Officer (PFSO/MFSO), will be provided. Emphasis is placed on awareness of terrorist threats and methods of operation as well as obtaining current intelligence, threat assessments, and the importance of training and vigilance. The course provides reference to the pertinent Acts, Regulations, Codes, International Resolutions, Administrative Guides, and Industry Standards to be in compliance with the ISPS Code and Transport Canada Marine Security's requirements.
Prerequisite(s):

• The student must be 18 years of age or older; and has at least 12 months of sea time via confirmation from the Marine Safety Directorate of TC; and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Must provide at least one piece of ID as per Transport Canada's requirements.

This 2-day course meets Transport Canada first aid requirements for Marine Basic first aid and includes AED.
Prerequisite(s):

• 16 years of age

This certification course has been developed to meet Transport Canada requirements for Marine Advanced First Aid. Every seafarer who is designated to apply immediate advanced first aid in the event of an accident or illness on board must demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties, and responsibilities as described: immediate action; first aid kits; body structure and function; toxicological hazards aboard ship; examination of the patient; spinal injuries; burns, scalds, and effects of heat and cold; fractures, dislocations, and muscular injuries; medical care of rescued persons, including distress, hypothermia, and cold exposure; radio medical advice; pharmacology; sterilization; cardiac arrest, drowning, and asphyxia; psychological and psychiatric problems; and patient assessment.
Prerequisite(s):

• Marine Basic First Aid. Participants must be 16 years of age and older. Pre-reading and picture ID required.

The course focuses on the basic practical skills and knowledge required by a seafarer prior to going to sea. Practical skills will require knowledge of ropes, wires, cables; the skills to tie knots, splice rope and wire; knowledge on the breaking strength of various ropes and wires. Students will study mooring methods and the general layouts and operational functions of merchant vessels. Studies will include the understanding of onboard routines and duties to perform, including watchkeeping and maintenance.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course familiarizes you with basic design of oil and chemical tankers and their cargo handling systems. The contents of the course covers safe operating procedures on board oil and chemical tankers, as well as the hazards involved in the handling and carriage of crude oil, petroleum products, and chemical cargoes. There is a practical component to this course for enclosed space rescue. Practical training will be conducted at Dynamic Rescue Facility.
Prerequisite(s):

• MED with respect to STCW Basic Safety. Copies of prerequisites are to be submitted to the course instructor on the first day of the course.

Students are to become familiar with BMC policy, procedures, and the roles of key figures. They will be able to effectively understand Co-op employment procedures, and be prepared to apply for a Co-op job by having the ability to write cover letters and a resume. Students will also be given the skills to conduct an effective job interview.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course introduces students to the different types of merchant vessels and the reason for their special construction, general knowledge of the principal structural members of a vessel, and the identity for the various structural parts.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course introduces students to basic ship stability with emphasis on the knowledge of basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry in solving complex ship stability problems; principle of flotation, buoyancy, and reserve buoyancy; knowledge of International and Canadian load lines; and calculations to find the height of the ship’s centre of gravity above the keel.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course provides students with the basic knowledge of cargo care; preparation of holds; segregation and separation of cargoes; ventilation and control; and safe handling, stowage, and securing of cargoes including dangerous, hazardous, and harmful cargoes, and their effect on the safety of life and of the ship. Prequisite: Admission to the program.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course introduces students to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and its various regulations pertaining to safety of the vessel and the marine environment; labour regulations; and crew organization for emergencies.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

Teaches interpreting and applying the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea with their Canadian Modifications 1983; and the recommended Code of Navigation Practices and Procedures; basic knowledge required to assist in a navigational watch.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course introduces students to the basic knowledge and skills required to assist in the watchkeeping look-out duties and conning of the vessel. Students will study basic chartwork; use of electronic navigational equipment; and the importance of keeping a proper log book and data recording.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of weather patterns; meteorological terminology; composition of the earth's atmosphere; wind and pressure systems; ship borne meteorological instruments; compiling weather reports and weather logs.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to the program.

This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and structure of specific mathematical concepts as outlined in the STCW Code for Watch Keeping Officers. The course builds up on mathematical fundamentals and principles to support Nautical technical subjects such as Astro Navigation, Stability, and Cargo Work.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission into the program

The course provides the students with a comprehensive view and basic understanding of the wide range of types and means of communications existing in the maritime world. Emphasis is placed on developing and improving the student’s abilities to produce written work that is accurate, brief, and clear. They will learn the critical role that effective and efficient communications, whether written, spoken, or visual, play in safe operations of marine assets. Barriers to proper communications will be identified. Case histories where communication breakdowns played a pivotal role in serious casualties will be reviewed. The course will include the types of communication systems and protocols used within the vessel and from ship-to-shore agencies. Students will do progressive in-class writing and homework assignments designed to improve their written documents. They will also prepare and give an oral presentation to the class and set an agenda and participate in a business meeting. Communications covered by regulatory and legal authorities, the structure of CSA–2001, TC Publications, basic ISM programs, and required shipboard certificates will be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission into the program.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) integrates relevant work experience (Sea Phases) within the academic program of the Nautical Sciences Diploma program. Cadets alternate between periods of academic study and Sea Phases to enhance the educational experience, all the while meeting the requirements of Transport Canada. Sea Phases are conducted with reputable companies. The Co-op Coordinator considers tonnage and voyage type. Cadets will have attended an orientation to the program and a briefing just prior to commencing the sea phase. During the sea phase, Cadets are monitored by the Cadet office.
Prerequisite(s):

• STCW Basic Safety, STCW Survival Craft, and Marine Advanced First Aid

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)

This course will teach students maritime mobile and satellite services; basic equipment of a ship station; practical use of the basic equipment of a ship station; procedures and practical operation of the GMDSS system, distress, urgency and safety communications procedures and operational skills; and procedures for general communications, and the theory and practice of general communications procedures.
Prerequisite(s):

• Candidates must be 18 years of age or older. Familiarity with basic computer keyboarding skills.

This course teaches students methods of navigation by terrestrial means. The course highlights are on the graticule system of the earth; plane sailing; parallel sailing; and Mercator and great circle sailing.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1

This course is part of the Physic Science subject. The course consists of two major parts: General Physics and Heat. It focuses on physical principles and the development of problem solving ability to help students with applied navigational courses. The course covers vector and forces, motion in a straight line, Newton’s Laws of Motion, rotational motion, work, energy, and power, friction, simple machines, fluids at rest, fluid in motion, principle of Archimedes and flotation, heat, expansion of solids and liquids, gases, transmission of heat, change of state, vapours, and refrigeration.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 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 signaling; 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(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course covers communication by Morse code using flashing light or sound signals.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course is a build-up on Ship Construction 1 with emphasis placed on longitudinal, transverse, and combined framing systems, bow and stern frame arrangements, mooring arrangements, hatchways and coamings, shell plating, and superstructures.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1

This course expands the students’ basic knowledge of Ship Stability 1, with emphasis placed on the use of Simpson’s Rules to calculate areas and volumes of irregular shapes; transverse statical stability; IMO’s intact stability criteria for merchant ships; and the construction and interpretation of hydrostatic curves.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1

This course builds up on Ship Cargo 1 and covers the safe stowage, securing, carriage, and discharge of specialized categories such as deck, liquid bulk, hazardous, and refrigerated cargoes.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1

This course is a build-up on Regulations 1, with emphasis placed on the International and Canadian regulations for the prevention of pollution and the protection of the marine environment by oil and other hazardous materials, relevant international conventions concerning the Safety of Life at Sea, and relevant sections of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1

This course provides students with the fundamentals of keeping a safe navigational watch. Emphasis is given to International and Canadian Collision Regulations.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1.

The emphasis of the course is on chartwork skills required to navigate with the effects of wind and current in coastal waters. Contents of the course will include the study of charts, tides, publications, conversion of magnetic courses, determining vessel's positions, set and drift, and course and speed made good.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1.

This course builds up on Ship Meteorology 1. Students study the effect of pressure difference; relationship between temperature, humidity, and fog; cloud formation and precipitation; pressure systems; and major air masses and their distribution.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 1.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) integrates relevant work experience (Sea Phases) within the academic program of the Nautical Sciences Diploma program. Cadets alternate between periods of academic study and Sea Phases to enhance the educational experience, all the while meeting the requirements of Transport Canada. Sea Phases are conducted with reputable companies. The Co-op Coordinator considers tonnage and voyage type. During the sea phase, Cadets are monitored by the Cadet office.
Prerequisite(s):

• STCW Basic Safety, STCW Survival Craft, and Marine Advanced First Aid

This Simulated Electronic Navigation – Operational course complies with the requirements of the “Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.” The training will bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing the student with the required skill set to apply the Collision Regulations, and the principles to be observed in keeping a safe navigational watch. The students will be taught position fixing and monitoring techniques in coastal passages. Basic principles of bridge resource management, leadership, and teamwork skills will be incorporated in the course to promote safety of life at sea, and protection of the marine environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• Students must have successfully completed the following training courses and examinations prior to registering for the SEN-O training course: Electronic Positioning Systems (EPS) or Simulated Electronic Navigation 1A, Radio Operator’s Certificate (ROC-MC), Chartwork and Pilotage 2 (C&P2), Navigation Safety 1 (NS1).

​This course is intended to provide the student with the knowledge, skill and understanding of leadership and teamwork at the operational level on board a ship. The course is designed to meet STCW requirements for the application of leadership and team working skills, in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments of STCW, specifically as stated in tables A-II/1, A-III/1, and A-III/6 (operational level) of Annex A of the STCW Code.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with knowledge, skills, and a thorough understanding of the ECDIS, in order to safely navigate vessels whose primary means of navigation is the ECDIS. This course covers the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention (STCW1978), as amended by the 2010 Manila Amendments (STCW2010). The course content is as per Transport Canada’s TP 4958E and IMO model course 1.27. Students will be trained and assessed using ECDIS and other associated navigational equipment in a simulated environment. Students will perform exercises in setting-up the ECDIS display best-suited for the area of navigation, perform basic navigation functions in accordance with the Collision Regulations, create, check, and monitor routes, and take proper and effective action when dealing with equipment failures and malfunctions. Those planning to enter the course should be proficient in nautical chartwork, and be familiar with visual navigation and bridge watchkeeping duties, including the operation of the Radar and ARPA. Students should also be familiar with Windows-based personal computing operating systems, using keyboards, mice, and trackballs.
Prerequisite(s):

• Chartwork and Pilotage 2 (C&P 2) and Electronic Positioning Systems (EPS) or equivalent Simulated Electronic Navigation 1 - (SEN 1 A/B)

Through classroom-based presentation and practical skills training, participants will gain valuable knowledge and skills in regards to fire safety, as well as how to manage and control fire situations aboard ships. This Marine Emergency Duties, Advanced Fire Fighting course is based on the requirements of Transport Canada TP 4957, Chapter 16, and is in direct compliance with STCW 95 Convention, Regulation A-VI/3.
Prerequisite(s):

• Minimum 16 years of age, MED - Basic Safety Training and a valid seafarer’s medical.

This course involves planning stowage for marine bulk containers and liquid bulk cargoes on board vessels using a software application. The stowage planning incorporates criteria for stability conditions to the requirements of IMO standards. This course also explains calculation method of longitudinal stresses on ships.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3 and Ship Stability 3

This course is a tutorial course that reviews contents required for an oral examination with a Transport Canada Examiner. The main contents 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 required for a Watchkeeping Mate Officer Certification.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

This course provides students with a means to navigate a vessel by position fixing using celestial bodies. The course contents include the celestial sphere and bodies, determining a vessel’s position using celestial bodies, determining compass and gyro errors, calculating sun/moon rise, sun/moon set, and twilight timings. This course also highlights the challenges in navigating in high latitude areas.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3.

This course is part of the Physical Science subject. The course consists of two major parts: (1) Waves, Sound, and Light and (2) Magnetism and Electricity. It focuses on physical principles and the development of problem solving ability to help students with applied navigational courses.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

This course brings to a conclusion the Ship Construction topics required by Transport Canada. Special emphasis is placed on torsional stresses, stresses exerted by water pressure, stresses determining software, drainage piping arrangements, propulsion and steering gear fittings, and freeboard and Load Line Regulations.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

This course builds up on level 2 to meet the requirements for knowledge, understanding, and proficiency of the STCW 95 Code for the function of a Watchkeeping Officer. This course combines knowledge of a ship's stability requirements and the use of the ship’s stability information booklet to calculate a vessel’s stability condition in order to maintain seaworthiness.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

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 equipment are also covered in this course. The types of cargoes covered are: Bulk, Dangerous, Hazardous, and Harmful cargoes.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

This course provides students with the fundamentals of keeping a safe navigational watch. Emphasis is given to International and Canadian Collision Regulations.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

Students will be introduced to anticyclones and other pressure systems; weather services for shipping; and weather forecasting and construction of synoptic and prognostic charts.
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful completion of Term 3

Cooperative Education (Co-op) integrates relevant work experience (Sea Phases) within the academic program of the Nautical Sciences Diploma program. Cadets alternate between periods of academic study and Sea Phases to enhance the educational experience, all the while meeting the requirements of Transport Canada. Sea Phases are conducted with reputable companies. The Co-op Coordinator considers tonnage and voyage type. During the sea phase, Cadets/Officers are monitored by the Cadet office.
Prerequisite(s):

• STCW Basic Safety, STCW Survival Craft, and Marine Advanced First Aid

This course builds up on Electronic Positioning Systems to provide students with the knowledge to correctly use shipboard electronic navigational aids and instruments for safe navigation. Students will study the operating principles, limitations, sources of errors, and methods of correcting errors on modern shipboard equipment. This course comprises of electronic navigational aids, and magnetic compass. The course hours are: 78 hours (Electronic); 42 hours (Magnetism); for a total of 120 hours.
Prerequisite(s):

• Electronic Positioning Systems or equivalent. Copies of prerequisites are to be submitted to the course instructor on the first day of the course.

Meteorology 2 is an advanced course that explores the interpretation of synoptic and prognostic weather charts in order to forecast local areas, taking into account local conditions and information received by weather fax and other available information. The course studies the planetary system of wind and pressure, weather associated with principal air masses, maritime forecast codes, and fax transmissions. Floating ice, safety of navigation in the vicinity of ice, and conditions leading to ice accretion are required study. The student will acquire knowledge of weather systems such as non-frontal systems, tropical revolving storms and avoidance, system of ocean currents, voyage planning, and formation of sea and swell waves, and relevant weather conditions to tidal calculations and data from nautical publications.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course will provide students with an understanding of applicable contents of various regulations covering the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. The regulations that are covered are the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, Arctic Shipping Pollution Prevention Regulations, Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations, Load Line Regulations, Marine Personnel Regulations, Marine Transportation Security Act and Regulations, Merchant Seamen Compensation Act, Pilotage Act, Potable Water Regulations, Quarantine Regulations, Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and for Dangerous Chemicals, Shipping Casualty Reporting Regulations, Shipping Inquiries Investigation Rules, Vessel Certificates Regulations, Ship Operation, Marine Insurance, Charter Party, Bill of Lading, Customs and Immigration procedures, Canadian Labour Code, Agents, Salvage, Safety of Life at Sea, International Labour Organization and Safety Management System, and especially the International Safety Management Code.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Students will be introduced to marine auxiliary machinery including pumps, boilers, air compressors, water-makers, sewage treatment plants, oily water separators, etc. This will also include stabilizers, bow thrusters, and deck machinery. They will also acquire an understanding of diesels and diesel systems. The course covers propeller, propeller shafts, bridge control, hydraulic systems, and firefighting systems. The electrical session will explore alternators and electrical distribution.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course builds up on Cargo 2 and covers Canadian and International regulations pertaining to the safe carriage of cargoes on merchant vessels. The knowledge of the safe handling, stowage, and securing of cargoes, along with the associated equipments, is also covered in this course. The types of cargoes covered include cargoes carried on deck, containers, bulk solids, bulk liquids and gases, dangerous, hazardous, and harmful cargoes, and other general cargoes.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.