Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
Begin Your Professional Career in the Deck Department
The Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch course prepares deck ratings to assist qualified officers in maintaining a safe watch on the bridge and deck. It develops the basic seamanship, steering, lookout, communication and safety skills required for navigational watchkeeping duties.
The course is structured with reference to STCW Regulation II/4 and Section A-II/4 of the STCW Code.
What Is the RFPNW Course?
A Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch, commonly known as RFPNW, supports the officer of the watch during navigation. Duties may include maintaining a proper lookout, steering the vessel, using internal communication systems and reporting navigational hazards.
The training helps candidates understand bridge commands, watchkeeping responsibilities and the importance of alertness, discipline and communication.
Course Highlights
| Course Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch |
| Common Abbreviation | RFPNW |
| Department | Deck |
| Training Level | Support Level |
| Reference Standard | STCW Regulation II/4 and Section A-II/4 |
| Training Mode | Theory and Practical Training |
| Eligibility | Subject to applicable age, medical and sea-service requirements |
Who Should Attend?
The course is suitable for:
- New entrants to the deck department
- Ordinary seafarers preparing for watchkeeping duties
- Deck ratings seeking an RFPNW pathway
- Trainees working toward an Able Seafarer Deck qualification
- Seafarers requiring recognised navigational watchkeeping competence
Key Learning Outcomes
Participants should learn how to:
- Maintain a proper visual and auditory lookout
- Report lights, shapes, sounds and other observations
- Understand standard wheel orders
- Steer the vessel and maintain a given course
- Change between automatic and manual steering
- Follow bridge communication procedures
- Use appropriate internal communication equipment
- Understand watchkeeping arrangements
- Recognise common emergency signals
- Perform basic environmental-protection duties
- Maintain alertness and follow instructions
- Contribute to safe bridge operations
Career Scope
The training supports progression into navigational watchkeeping roles in the deck department. With the required sea service and further training, candidates may progress toward Able Seafarer Deck and other senior rating positions.
Admission Enquiry
Contact Blue Fleet Institute to verify age, medical fitness, prior training, required sea service, documents, course dates, fees and assessment requirements.
Created by
Kevin Perry- Category
Kevin Perry -
Review
-
4.88
- (980 reviews)