Open Awards
    Level 3
    QN: 610/5503/7
    Curriculum Active

    Open Awards Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Studies: Officer of the Watch on Merchant Vessels of less than 500 Gross Tonnage (Near Coastal) (RQF)

    Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by Open Awards. Classified as a Occupational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 335 hours.

    Qualification Level
    Level 3
    Awarding Body
    Open Awards
    Syllabus Units
    7 Units
    Guided Hours
    335 hrs
    Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.

    Course Syllabus & Study Modules

    Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.

    1

    Chartwork and Tides

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Be able to use Mercator charts 1.1 Plot positions on a chart 1.2 Convert compass and true headings applying
    • Gyro error 1.3 Convert compass and true bearings applying
    • Gyro error 1.4 Establish Dead Reckoning position from measurement of
    • Log speed 1.5 Establish EP from measurement of
    • Tidal information
    • Be able to make tidal calculations 2.1 Use Admiralty Tide Tables to perform tidal calculations 2.2 Use tidal software to perform tidal calculations3.
    • Know how to maintain marine charts and publications 3.1 Summarise types of charts used in passage planning and navigation 3.2 Summarise nautical publications to be carried on board 3.3 Explain chart storage and handling procedures 3.4 Explain procedures for ordering charts and publications 3.5 Explain Admiralty Notices to Mariners 3.6 Explain correction logs 3.7 Explain use of the chart catalogue4.
    • Understand Mercator charts 4.1 Explain properties of Mercator charts 4.2 Interpret chart symbols 4.3 Identify Water Track 4.4 Identify Ground Track5.
    • Know how to update the voyage plan 5.1 Explain the principles of passage planning 5.2 Summarise regulations and guidelines on passage planning 5.3 Explain implementation of adjustments to the plan6.
    • Understand tides 6.1 Explain causes of tides 6.2 Summarise definitions associated with tides
    2

    Contribute to Vessel Stability and Watertight Integrity

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Be able to ensure watertight integrity of a vessel 1.
    • Perform relevant actions to maintain watertight integrity in accordance with established best practice 1.
    • Monitor watertight integrity 1.
    • Establish the watertight integrity of a vessel in accordance with legislation 1.
    • Instruct crew to ensure vessel procedures are fully met 1.
    • Provide information for maintaining accurate records relating to watertight integrity2.
    • Be able to establish the stability of a vessel 2.
    • Perform relevant actions to maintain stability in accordance with established best practice 2.
    • Contribute to ensuring a vessel’s weight distribution maintains the stability and stress condition within safe limits 2.
    • Monitor vessel stability 2.
    • Establish that stability of a vessel is maintained in accordance with legislation 2.
    • Instruct crew to ensure vessel procedures are fully met 2.
    • Provide information for maintaining accurate records relating to stability3.
    • Understand how to maintain seaworthiness of a vessel 3.
    • Explain how to maintain seaworthiness in accordance with legislation and vessel procedures 3.
    • Explain how to apply the basic principles of ship stability4.
    • Understand regulations relating to vessel stability and watertight integrity 4.
    • Summarise statutory regulations on stability and watertight integrity 4.
    • Explain guidelines on stability and watertight integrity5.
    • Understand organisational requirements relating to stability and watertight integrity 5.
    3

    Control Vessel Mooring, Anchoring and Securing Operations

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Be able to anchor the vessel 1.
    • Prepare for anchoring in accordance with recognised procedures 1.
    • Control anchoring operations in accordance with organisational procedures 1.
    • Secure anchors after operations anchoring in accordance with vessel’s procedures2.
    • Be able to moor the vessel 2.
    • Prepare for mooring in accordance with recognised procedures 2.
    • Control mooring operations in accordance with safe working practices 2.
    • Let go moorings operations in accordance with safe working practices 2.
    • Shift the vessel in accordance with recognised procedure 2.
    • Ensure equipment is properly stowed and secured on completion of operations3.
    • Be able to provide safe access to the vessel 3.
    • Control the rigging of access arrangements in accordance with statutory requirements4.
    • Be able to control the watch while at anchor or moored 4.
    • Communicate instructions to personnel 4.
    • Confirm instructions are understood 4.
    • Control the watch in accordance with guidelines 4.
    • Take relevant action if problems arise with anchoring, mooring, watch or securing operations 4.
    • Maintain effective safe working practices during operations5.
    • Know the equipment used for anchoring, mooring and access to the vessel 5.
    • Describe the common types of anchors, cables and associated gear 5.
    4

    Interpret Meteorology in the Near Coastal Area

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Understand how to make meteorological observations 1.1 Explain the use of meteorological instruments including
    • Aneroid barometers
    • Mason’s hygrometer
    • Marine (Stevenson’s) screen
    • Whirling psychrometer
    • Sea temperature apparatus 1.2 Explain the Beaufort wind scale 1.3 Explain principles of non-instrumental observations including
    • Horizontal visibility
    • Cloud types 1.4 Summarise weather services available to shipping2.
    • Understand meteorological processes 2.1 Explain characteristics of the troposphere 2.2 Explain causes of geostrophic wind and surface wind 2.3 Explain causes of surface wind 2.4 Explain the formation of clouds and precipitation 2.5 Explain the causes of reduced horizontal visibility3.
    • Understand synoptic charts 3.1 Explain weather associated with air masses affecting north Europe including
    • Antarctic 3.2 Explain the weather associated with synoptic patterns and features including
    • Depressions (frontal, families and secondary)
    • Non frontal depressions
    • Anticyclones
    • Ridges of high pressure
    5

    Respond to Navigational Emergencies

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Be able to assess situations 1.
    • Make an initial assessment of the type of navigational malfunction or emergency in accordance with recognised procedures 1.
    • Make an initial assessment of the scale of malfunction or emergency in accordance with recognised procedures 1.
    • Identify a distress or safety signal promptly2.
    • Be able to take prompt action to respond to navigational emergencies 2.
    • Apply action to minimise the effects of the malfunction or emergency in accordance with recognised procedures 2.
    • Maintain safety of personnel in accordance with vessel contingency plans 2.
    • Maintain safety of the vessel in accordance with contingency plans 2.
    • Respond to a distress signal in accordance with international maritime requirements 2.
    • Provide a prompt and accurate report to appropriate persons and authorities3.
    • Know how to respond to navigational emergencies 3.
    • Explain what constitutes an emergency 3.
    • Explain how to respond to an emergency 3.
    • Explain how to respond to a distress signal 3.
    • Explain how to apply all regulations and guidelines relevant to emergency situations
    6

    Ship Construction

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Understand the key features of a vessel’s construction 1.1 Summarise standard ship construction terminology 1.2 Identify the significant structural features of a vessel including
    • Framing systems
    • Features of hull
    • Features of holds
    • Features of tanks
    • Arrangements to ensure watertight integrity
    • Arrangements in areas liable to damage by heavy weather
    • Openings in hull or deck
    • Continuity of strength
    • Piping and pumping systems2.
    • Know the salient features of a range of ship types 2.1 Describe the salient features of ship types including
    • Tankers (Oil, gas and chemical)
    • General cargo
    • Bulk carrier
    • Passenger ship
    • Support vessels (supply, standby and tug)
    • Special vessels (surface effect and high speed craft)3.
    • Understand ship stresses 3.1 Explain Ca
    • use and effect of ship stress in still water including
    • Centre loading
    7

    Vessel Navigation and Tides

    Verified
    Key Learning Objectives:
    • Know how to use and care for compasses 1.
    • Identify types of compass, their use and care e.g. standard; steering; projector; reflector; transmitting magnetic, gyro 1.
    • Describe the use of azimuth mirrors 1.
    • Take readings from a magnetic compass and identify card graduations in degrees 1.
    • Identify the basic causes of variation and deviation in compass readings 1.
    • Take a compass error using a transit 1.
    • Take readings and compare gyro compass, repeater and magnetic compass 1.
    • Describe how to respond to compass alarms2.
    • Know how to determine position using a marine navigation chart 2.
    • Identify chart symbols, features and abbreviations 2.
    • Identify the navigational properties of the Mercator chart and alternative projections e.g. gnomonic, stereographic 2.
    • Plot a position on a chart by latitude and longitude, bearing and range, using natural scale, distance measurement, chart co-ordinates and geographic datums e.g. WGS
    • Demonstrate how to use and care for navigation drawing instruments, parallel rules, dividers and compasses 2.
    • Identify alternative charting systems and describe the differences between them 2.
    • Describe how chart accuracy is maintained3.
    • Understand the causes and features of tides 3.
    • Describe different types of tides, their causes and features 3.
    • Describe tidal terminology e.g. chart datum, tidal range4.
    • Understand buoyage and its purpose 4.
    • Describe the need for buoyage 4.

    Regulatory & Verification Details

    Qualification Number (QN)
    610/5503/7
    Regulated Status
    Available to learners
    Awarding Body
    Open Awards
    Qualification Type
    Occupational Qualification
    Operational Start
    May 2025

    Cookies on MasteryMind

    Essential cookies keep you signed in.

    Analytics and advertising cookies stay off unless you accept.

    Read our Privacy Policy.