Chartplotter, radar and navigation courses you study online, with a trainer to practise on at home.
RYA courses
RYA courses coming soon.
Specialist courses
Our own courses on electronic navigation, each taken on its own, with hands-on practice in the Chartplotter Trainer. In English, French or German.
Learn electronic navigation online, then practise it at home
Navigation Online teaches the chartplotter and radar skills a skipper needs, as courses you study online at your own pace. Each lesson explains one thing clearly, with a short narrated film, diagrams and worked examples. Then you try it for yourself on the Chartplotter Trainer: a realistic chartplotter and radar that runs in your web browser, with an electronic chart, other vessels, tides and buoyage to work with. You don't need a boat, any equipment or software to install.
Lessons and films
Every topic is taught step by step, with a narrated film, clear notes and examples you can follow.
A trainer to practise on
Set up a radar picture, plan and check a route, or watch a passage on a chartplotter, just as you would on board.
Check what you've learned
Quizzes as you go, practical exercises on the trainer and a final test at the end of each course.
English, French and German
The Chartplotter and Radar courses are in all three languages. Choose yours on the course card.
What you'll learn
Chartplotter and Electronic Navigation
Electronic charts and their limits, GNSS and how far to trust your position, setting up the display, planning a route and checking it for dangers, monitoring a passage, keeping a proper watch and what to do when the electronics fail, with a practice passage and a final test.
Radar and Collision Avoidance
How a small-boat radar works and why it misses things, setting gain and clutter for a clear picture, radar plotting to find a target's closest point of approach, ARPA and AIS, and using all of them to avoid collisions under the Collision Regulations, including in restricted visibility.
Who it's for
- Sailing and motorboat skippers and crew with a chartplotter or radar on board, or about to have one.
- Sailors working towards Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster who want more practice with electronic navigation.
- Anyone who wants to refresh their skills before a new season or a long passage.
How it works
- Choose a course and your language.
- Sign up and pay once for that course.
- Study at your own pace on a computer or tablet, whenever suits you.
- Practise on the trainer and take the final test.
Questions
Do I need my own chartplotter or radar?
No. Everything is practised on the Chartplotter Trainer in your web browser, so you can learn before you ever switch one on at sea.
What do I need to take a course?
A computer or tablet with an up-to-date web browser and an internet connection. The trainer works best on a computer, full screen.
Are these RYA courses?
No. The Chartplotter and Radar courses are Navigation Online's own courses and don't lead to an RYA certificate. They're a practical way to learn and practise the skills.
Can I use the trainer without taking a course?
Yes. Chartplotter Trainer passes are sold on their own, for a day, a week, a month or a year. See the passes.
Can I tell you what I think?
Please do. Use Feedback at the top of any page.