Under major international conventions that took effect in the mid-1980s, navigating officers of merchant ships are required to be able to evaluate all types of navigational information that relates to command decisions for collision avoidance and safe navigation. This requirement is embodied in the Department of Transport's Certificates of Competency Class 2 and Class 1 (Master Mariner), now catered for in nautical colleges and departments by BTEC HND Nautical Science.

Invaluable to participants of navigation control courses, candidates for Class 2 and Class 1 (master mariner) and all practising navigating officers.