Course Goals
To provide experienced mariners with the additional theoretical skills required to meet the Transport Canada, Marine Safety requirements for the issuing of a certificate as Master Limited, valid in passenger carrying vessels of less than 60 gross tons.

Chartwork
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the earth:

• Describe the shape of the earth
• define great and small circles
• describe the earth's poles, equator & prime meridian
• describe parallel of latitude and define latitude
• describe meridian of longitude and define longitude
• define the nautical mile and the unit of speed.

Chart Datums

• defines the true meridian
• explains true direction as relative to the true meridian
• defines the magnetic meridian
• explains magnetic direction as relative to the magnetic meridian
• describes the effect of the ship on the direction of the magnetic meridian at the compass position
• explains compass direction as relative to the disturbed field at the compass position
• defines variation and deviation
• defines compass error
• applies variation and deviation to convert true courses and bearings to compass and vice-versa
• determines the compass error by comparison with true terrestrial bearings or headings

General Chart Knowledge
The successful course candidate must be able to:

• recognise the chart title
• recognise the chart number
• know where to find the date of the latest chart correction
• use CHS chart 1
• interpret symbols indicating navaids, water depths, dangers and traffic systems.
• Select charts to use:
• largest scale chart for greater detail
• use compass rose for variation
• check sounding, ie. Fathoms, metres or feet.
• ensure corrected to date
• Know the Canadian buoyage system
• Measure distance on chart
• Correct course to allow for wind and current

The Chart Projections:
Explain the principles of the:

• Cylindrical & Conical projections
• Mercator and Polyconic projections
• Graticule, Distance & Direction

Position Fixing
The candidate must be able to fix the vessels position with reference to:

• Position by latitude and longitude
• Position by range and bearing
• Dead Reckoning position
• Estimated position
• Fixed position

Tides & Currents
The successful candidate must be familiar with the:

• Causes of Tides
• Springs and Neaps
• Tidal definitions
• Types of Tide
• General Tide Information
• CHS Tide and Current Tables

Chartwork and Pilotage
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the magnetic compass, with particular reference to:

• variation
• deviation
• magnetic course
• compass error
• true course
• compass course
• Recognise the precautions required when placing magnetic or electrical equipment adjacent to the magnetic compass.
• Use of variation, deviation, and deviations tables to correct compass courses and bearings for compass error.

Meteorology

• Identify principles and use of the aneroid barometer
• Recognize barometric tendencies ie. Rising, falling, levelling and possible effects on weather conditions.
• Interpret weather warnings and forecasts
• Describe the terms veering, backing, fronts, high pressure and low pressure as related to weather forecasts.
• Describe localized conditions which increase the hazard of certain winds in specific directions.
• Recognize the following cloud formations:
• cirrus
• cirrocumulus
• cirrostratus
• altocumulus
• altostratus
• nimbostratus
• stratus
• stratocumulus
• cumulus
• cumulonimbus
• Associate cloud formations with weather systems.
• Recognize symbols on and interpret a simple weather map.
• Determine dew point and humidity by use of the wet and dry bulb thermometer for the purpose of forecasting fog or icing.
• explains the meaning of the term "pressure" as used in Meteorology
• describes the general distribution of pressure over the Earth
• explains the source regions and characteristics of an air mass
• lists the principal pressure systems including:
• High pressure
• Low pressure
• Ridge
• Trough
• Straight isobars
• describes the wind circulation associated with the systems above
• explains Buys Ballots Law

Clouds and Precipitation

• describes the causes of lee effect
• describes the causes of friction effect
• describes the causes of gap winds
• describes the causes of katabatic winds
• describes the causes of anabatic winds
• describes the local weather conditions which produce strong winds and steep waves

Weather Forecasts and Weather Maps

• describes the use of Radio Aids to Marine Navigation to obtain weather forecasts
• describes alternate sources of information, including telephone, Internet, facsimile and Navtex
• explains the importance of local knowledge, tidal conditions and effect of topography on wind speed and direction
• interprets the information contained in a surface synoptic chart
• demonstrates ability to use basic instruments including:
• barometer or barograph
• wet and dry bulb thermometer
• describes the effect of local topography on wind strength and direction
• describes the dangers associated with strong wind in opposition to a tidal stream.

Stability
Have a knowledge of:

• Draft
• Reserve buoyancy
• Freeboard
• Lightship
• Deadweight
• Load displacement
• List
• Heel
• Trim
• Gravity & Centre of Gravity "G"
• Buoyancy & Centre of Buoyancy "B"
• Stable, Unstable and Neutral equilibrium
• Metacentre "M"& Metacentric height
• Righting Lever "GZ"
• Equilibrium
• Stiff & tender vessels with reference to metacentric height
• Knowledge of the effects of adding, moving or removing weights on G, M or B.
• Effects of suspended weights on CofG
• Effects of Free Surface on the stability of the vessel
• Effects of carrying weights on deck.
• Effects of icing
• Use of stability data book.

Cargo Handling

• explains the effect on stability of cargo stowage
• explains the stowage principles to avoid crushing, tainting and water damage
• explains the need to secure cargo against movement during the voyage
• describes the special handling requirements of dangerous cargoes
• explains the carriage of minimum quantities in passenger vessels
• describes the steps to be taken to ensure safety of life when handling dangerous cargoes
• describes the possible steps to be taken to ensure the safety of the vessel when carrying dangerous cargoes.

Navigation Instruments

• Demonstrate knowledge and use of the RADAR.
• Principles and limitations of the RADAR
• Identify CPA, TCPA and use of RADAR for plotting targets.

Navigation Safety or Rule of the Road

Demonstrate an understanding of the Collision Regulations, both orally and by multiple choice testing.

• knowledge of the steering and sailing rules
• knowledge of lights and shapes
• knowledge of sound signals, both for manoeuvring and in fog.
• knowledge of emergency signals and signals for fishing vessels.

Shipmasters Business

Understand the Validity of the Limited Certificate and the Vessel documentation

• describes the validity of the Limited certificate
• describes the certificate of registry
• explains the reasons for keeping an official log book
• explains the requirements for a radio station licence
• explains the requirements for a steamship inspection certificate
• explains the requirements for a radio inspection certificate
• states the period of validity of the inspection certificates
• describes the preparation of a vessel for survey

Master Responsibilities
Master's responsibility to passengers and crew and Master's responsibility in the event of pollution, collision and serious accident

• explains the Master's responsibility for maintaining the vessel in a seaworthy condition.
• explains the Master's responsibility to avoid or minimize marine pollution
• explains the Master's responsibility following a collision with another vessel
• explains the Master's responsibility following a serious accident

Master Responsibility to know and observe Regulations

• describes the main points of the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations
• describes the main points of Boat and Fire Drill Regulations
• describes the main points of the Garbage Pollution Prevention Regulations
• describes the main points of the Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations
• describes the main points of the Safe Working Practices Regulations
• describes the main points of the Marine Occupational Safety and Health Regulations.

General Seamanship

Know and practice emergency procedures.

• describes the precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations
• explains the need for an initial assessment of damage
• describes the action to be taken following a collision
• describes the action to be taken following a grounding
• describes the procedure for changing to emergency steering
• describes the procedure for towing and being taken in tow
• describes the procedure for rescuing persons from the sea
• describes the procedure for assisting a vessel in distress
• describes the action to be taken when emergencies arise in port.

Ship Handling

• demonstrates an understanding of the factors affecting the safe maneuvering and handling of a vessel
• demonstrates an understanding of the operation of small vessel power plants and auxiliaries
• describes the procedures for anchoring and mooring
• explains the use and care of mooring lines
• demonstrates ability to tie common knots.
• demonstrates an appreciation of any special hazards within the geographical limits of the certificate such as:
• tide rips
• reefs or shoals
• crossing traffic
• locally strong winds.