BSc Nautical Sciences VPCP I Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Module I: VOYAGE PLANNING

• The nautical chart. Natural Scale, types of projections, Title of Chart, Number of Chart, Date of Publication. Deciphering the symbols and abbreviations used on a nautical chart (Chart BA 5011 & BA 5012). Units of Soundings used. How to read latitude and longitude. The use of parallel rulers to lay down or read courses and bearings. The compass Rose. The distance scale. Use of dividers to measure distances. Reason for using the nearest latitude scale for measuring distance. COLLISION PREVENTION International Regulations for preventing collisions at sea. Part A – General (Rule 1 to 3) Application. Exceptions for local rules or harbors etc. Exception for special class of ships. Responsibility for the consequence of neglect of rules. Definitions of term ‘Vessel’. ‘Power driven vessel’, ‘sailing vessel’, ‘fishing vessel’, ‘seaplanes’, ‘Underway’ etc.

Module II: VOAYAGE PLANNING

• Correction from Notices to Mariners. Weekly, Cumulative & Annual summary of admiralty notices to mariners. T & P Corrections. To find the date the chart was last brought up to date. Small and large Corrections. Degree of reliability of information shown on the chart. COLLISION PREVENTION IRPCS Part B – Section I – (Rule 4 – 8). Conduct of vessel in any condition of visibility, Maintenance of proper looks out. Maintenance of safe speed. Factors to be considered for determining safe speed. Determination of risk of collision with another vessel. Use of radar in determining risk of collision. Use of visual bearings. Types of actions to be taken to avoid collision or close quarter situation

Module III: VOAYAGE PLANNING

• Types of chart – Ocean charts, coastal charts, harbour plans, Routeing charts. Various nautical Publications. The use of the Admiralty Catalogue to identify the charts required for the voyage. COLLISION PREVENTION IRPCS Part B – Section I – (Rule 9 – 10). Conduct of vessels in narrow channels and when approaching blind bends. Conduct of vessel in traffic separation schemes of International Maritime Organization.

Module Practical

• VOYAGE PLANNING
• 1 To find the position of a point on the chart by its latitude and longitude
• 2 To find the position of a point on the chart by its bearing and distance from a navigational marks
• 3 To measure the course & distance between two points on chart.
• 4 To find compass error by transit bearings
• 5 To plot ship’s position given the compass bearings of two or more shore objects.
• 6 To plot ship’s position given the rising or dipping bearing of a light.
• 7 To plot ship’s position using three shore objects by horizontal sextant angles (given Horizontal sextant angle less than 90, equal to 90, or greater than 90).
• 8 To plot ship’s position, given vertical sextant angles and bearing of a light house. Note – Collision Prevention Practical Syllabus same as Theory syllabus.

Reference Books

This paper runs across both semesters of the year and the University prints one list of reference books for it, at the end of the second half. Her list is repeated here so that this half is not read as a paper she recommends no reading for.

• 1 Chartwork Capt. S.S. Chaudhari
• 2 Chartwork for Mariners Capt. S.K. Puri
• 3 Marine Chartwork D.A. Moore
• 4 IMO Rule of the Road Bhandarkar Publication
• 5 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea IMO
• 6 Manual of the Rule of the Road Capt. S.K. Puri Objective: - This subject exposes the students to Ship Operation Technology Paper- I, Cargo Work & Marine Communication & Naval Architecture Paper - I