Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548)
Course 205

Satisfy the Watchkeeping and SMCP training requirements and get some of the necessary watchkeeping assessments completed along the way! Learn about the common scenarios an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) can encounter while experiencing some of these scenarios in our Full-Mission Bridge Simulators. Contact the Student Services Office for availability.

Preparing for Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548)

Course Description

Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548) - MPT Course #205
  
This course is designed to meet the training and assessment requirements for mariners seeking an STCW endorsement as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on vessels of 500 GT or more, less than 500 GT, and those limited to Near Coastal waters, in accordance with 46 CFR 11.309(a)(4)(ix), 11.319(a)(4)(iii), and 11.321(a)(2). This 39-hour, stand-alone course is delivered over 5 days through classroom instruction and simulator-based practical assessments. It provides training in safe watchkeeping procedures, the application of the International and Inland Rules of the Road (COLREGS), proper use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), and bridge team management. Practical assessments are conducted using an approved class A full-mission bridge simulator and are intended to satisfy the equivalent National Assessment Guidelines tasks from NVICs 12-14 (CH-7), 02-18 (CH-5), and 13-14 (CH-5).

Any applicant who has successfully completes our Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548) course will satisfy:

  • The Watchkeeping, including COLREGS and Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), training requirements of 46 CFR 11.309(a)(4)(ix) and 11.319(a)(4)(iii) for STCW endorsement as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) (Operational Level); AND
  • The Watchkeeping, including COLREGS and SMCP, standards of competence required by 46 CFR 11.309(a)(3) and 11.319(a)(3); STCW Code Section A-II/1 and Table A-II/1, as amended 2010, meeting the National Assessment Guidelines from NVICs 12-14(Ch-7) and 02-18(Ch-5) Tasks 1.3.A, 1.3.B, 1.3.C, 1.4.A, 1.4.B, 1.4.C, 1.4.D, 1.5.A, 2.1.A, 2.1.B, 2.1.C, 2.1.D, 2.1.E, 2.1.F, 2.1.G, 2.2.A, 2.2.B, 2.2.C, 2.2.D, 2.2.E, 2.3.A, 2.3.B, 2.3.C, 2.4.A, 2.5.A, 2.6.A, 7.1, 12.1.A, 12.2.A, and 12.3.A; AND
  • The Watchkeeping, including COLREGS and Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), standards of competence required by 46 CFR 11.321(a)(2); STCW Code Section A-II/3 and Table A-II/3, as amended 2010, meeting the National Assessment Guidelines from NVIC 13-14(Ch-5) Tasks 1.4.A, 1.4.B, 1.4.C, 1.5.A, 1.6.A, 1.6.B, 1.6.C, 1.8.A, 1.8.B, 1.8.C, 1.8.D, 1.8.E, 2.1.A, 2.1.B, 2.1.C, 2.1.D, 2.1.E, 2.1.F, 2.1.G, 2.2.A, 2.2.B, 2.2.C, 2.2.D, 2.2.E, 2.2.F, 2.3.A, 2.3.B, and 2.4.A.

Applicants who have successfully completed your course need not present completed “Task Control Sheets” for these assessments in application for STCW certification.

Each student who successfully completes this course will be able to safely carry out the watchkeeping duties of an officer in charge of a navigational watch. The student will become proficient in standing an underway navigational watch, anchor watch, and in port watch, as well as understand the responsibilities involved in standing watches. The International and Inland Rules of the Road will be examined and learned in terms that will result in practical understanding and useful application. The student will learn pollution prevention techniques, importance of record keeping, and communicating using Standard Marine Communication Phrases.

Subjects Include:

Rules of the Road
Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
Electronic Aids & Operational Use of AIS
Blind Pilotage: Navigation Restricted Visibility
Anchor Watch
Navigation & Safety Equipment
Chart Selection/Correction
Ship Routing/VTS/Voyage Planning
Regulatory Concepts
Watchkeeping Concepts


Prerequisites

Must provide proof of completion of:

1. A RADAR Observer (Unlimited) Course

2. A Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation Course

3. RFPNW or attest to at least 180 days of Bridge Watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or qualified officer

5 day class in Fort Lauderdale

  1. Class 26081
    04 Aug 2025 to 08 Aug 2025
  2. Class 26082
    02 Sep 2025 to 06 Sep 2025
  3. Class 26083
    06 Oct 2025 to 10 Oct 2025
  4. Class 26084
    10 Nov 2025 to 14 Nov 2025
  5. Class 26097
    19 Jan 2026 to 23 Jan 2026
  6. Class 26098
    16 Feb 2026 to 20 Feb 2026
  7. Class 26099
    16 Mar 2026 to 20 Mar 2026
  8. Class 26100
    20 Apr 2026 to 24 Apr 2026
  9. Class 26101
    18 May 2026 to 22 May 2026
  10. Class 26102
    15 Jun 2026 to 19 Jun 2026
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Required Materials

PASSPORT for Photo ID, Paper, Pencil, Pen, Highlighter, Scientific Calculator, USCG Rules Book, plotting equipment (triangle, parallel ruler, dividers, etc.)

 

Course Photos

 

Testimonials

I truly enjoy time in the simulator
Devon, Friday January 2023
Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548)
None! Alan and Scott are great, and I look forward to more highly knowledgable classes with them.
Robin, Friday August 2014
Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (MARTPT-548)