SEN – Electronic Positioning Systems (Formerly SEN 1A)

OVERVIEW

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge of the principles, ability to use and the skill required for the correct operation of the navigational equipment.

This course is approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch of BC.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of Chartwork and plotting would be beneficial in taking this course.

USEFUL LINKS

Useful resources for the Electronic Positioning Systems (former SEN 1A) course:

Sonar

Doppler shift car horn – video

Magnetic Compass

World Magnetic Model 2020 Magnetic Declination (Variation)

Copper pipe and neodymium magnet

Pelorus: How to Use – video

Parts of the Ship’s Magnetic Compass – Bridge Equipment – video

Flux-Gate Compass

How a MEMS Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer Works– video

NMEA 2000 – video

Pacific Yacht Systems – Nautical Networking – website

Gyrocompass

Gyroscope – video

Gyroscopic precession – An intuitive explanation

Gyroscope on the International Space Station

Precession of the Earth

Sperry Mark XIV Gyrocompass Manual

Design of the Sperry Mark XIV Gyrocompass

Autopilot

Striking and Sinking of the BC Ferries Queen of the North

RADAR

MAIB Investigation into the sinking of the Yacht Ouzo

Collision Avoidance

Washington State Ferry hits a boat near Vashon Island

Collision Regulations

Electronic Chart Systems

Facts About Electronic Charts and Carriage Requirements (International Hydrographic Organization)

Open CPN – Open-source Navigation Software

Free NOAA Raster Navigation Charts (RNC) for the United States

Free S-57 Vector Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC) for the United States (Note Canadian RNCs and ENCs must be purchased from retail sources)

Instructions for downloading free US charts

Course Availibility

Location	Start Date	End Date	Cost	Status
Online	Sep. 16 2026	Oct. 02, 2026	$3,050	Registration opens May 04th
Online	Jan. 04, 2027	Jan. 19, 2027	$3,050	Registration opens May 04th
Online	Apr. 19, 2027	May 04, 2027	$3,050	Registration opens May 04th

Online Version

This course is also available as an online course with different dates, taught live by our instructors from our Ladysmith campus. Click here for details.