Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Introduction to Nautical Cartography
This course will provide you with the essential foundation for interpreting and using nautical charts safely and accurately. You will learn to identify fundamental cartographic symbols, abbreviations, and conventions, as well as…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Introduction to Nautical Cartography?
The Diploma in Introduction to Nautical Cartography
This course will provide you with the essential foundation for interpreting and using nautical charts safely and accurately. You will learn to identify fundamental cartographic symbols, abbreviations, and conventions, as well as to calculate bearings, distances, and positions using traditional and modern tools. This program is ideal for those starting out in navigation or wishing to strengthen their cartographic knowledge.
Differential Advantages
- Solid Foundations: Master the basic principles of nautical charting and their practical application.
- Essential Tools: Learn to use compasses, protractors, parallel rulers, and navigation software.
- Navigational Safety: Acquire the necessary skills to plan safe routes and avoid hazards.
- Practical Application: Exercises and case studies to consolidate learning and apply knowledge in real-world situations.
- Flexible Format: Online format with interactive resources and support from nautical charting experts.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
28-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Fundamentals of Cartography: Master the essential principles of nautical cartography and their application to safe navigation.
- Nautical Symbols: Learn to interpret the symbols used on nautical charts to identify hazards, navigational aids, and seabed features.
- Positioning Systems: Understand the operation of GPS systems and other positioning methods for accurate navigation.
- Use of Electronic Charts: Acquire practical skills in the use of electronic charts (ECDIS) and their integration with other navigation systems.
- Route Planning: Develop the ability to plan safe and efficient routes, considering factors such as currents, tides, and navigational restrictions.
- Prepare for safe maritime navigation and efficient with this fundamental diploma.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of General Cartography and Nautical Geodesy
- Introduction to marine mapping: history, historical evolution of navigation charts and fundamental differences between terrestrial and nautical cartography
- Earth form and reference models: the geoid, the ellipsoid of revolution and the geodesic datum; Understanding the differences between local and global datums
- The 1984 World Geodesic System (WGS-84): Importance of WGS-84 as a standard in satellite navigation and geodesic transformations
- Maritime coordinate systems: latitude, longitude, measurement of distances at sea (nautical mile and cable) and calculation of angles/headings
- Nautical cartographic projections: the Mercator projection (features, loxodromy and increasing scale) and the gnomonic projection (orthodromia and navigation by maximum circles)
- The scale in the nautical charts: Classification of cards according to their scale (General charts, cuddles, coastal, approach and porters)
- International Hydrographic Organisations: The International Hydrographic Organisation (OHI / IHO), National Hydrographic Services and the International Regulatory Framework
- Geodesic Datums and WGS84 System
02
Symbolology, reading and interpretation of nautical paper charts
- Graphic structure of the nautical chart: cover, title, scales, precautionary notices, datums, units of measure and graduation margins
- Symbol and abbreviation systems: Use and interpretation of the document Special publication No. 1 of the IHO (INT 1 / Letter 1)
- Representation of depth and submarine relief: Isobatas (bathymetric lines), discontinuous probes, seafloor nature and probe reduction plans (lat / zero hydrographic)
- Navigation Hazard Symbolology: Shipwrecks, Rocks (watching, submerged, drowned), obstructions, shallows and restricted access areas
- Representation of the coastline and navigation aids: headlights, beacons, buoys, lights, line marks and light characteristics
- Delimitation of maritime zones and legal demarcations: navigation channels, traffic separation schemes (TSS), Anchorages, submarine cables/pipes and marine protected areas
- Cartographic reading practice: Identification of risk elements, drawing of loxodromic courses and calculation of distances on paper charts
- Notices to Navigators and Correction of Cards
03
Positioning systems, lags and cartographic navigation tactics
- Use of traditional cartographic instruments: compass of dry ends, parallel rules, angle conveyor and dial
- Determination of positions by visual observations: line marks, position lines (LDP), cross delays and distances to notable points of the coast
- Astronomical and estimated positioning (dead reckoning): plot of the estimated defeat considering course, speed, winddown by wind and drift by current
- Use of complementary nautical publications: Sailing directions, headlight books and fog signals, tidal tables and radio nautical warnings
- Updating and correction of nautical charts: Interpretation of notices to navigators (Notices to Mariners), permanent and temporary corrections (P and T)
- Safety margin: definition of safety limits (danger limit lines) and identification of low keel zones on the chart
- Quality control and conservation of cartographic material: storage, manipulation and criteria of obsolescence of printed cartography
- Navigation by esteem and esteem corrected
04
Hydrographic Survey Techniques and Cartographic Production
- Principles of the hydrographic survey: capture of bathymetric data, coastal topography and spatial positioning during sea campaigns
- Depth measurement technologies: single beam echo sounders, multi-beam echo sounders (MBES) and airborne bathymetric LiDAR technology
- Corrections applied to field data: tide compensation, sea level variations, ship movements (pitch, roll, yaw) and speed of sound in the water column
- Bathymetric data georeferencing and processing: dot cloud debugging, creating digital elevation models (DEM) of the seabed and bathymetric interpolation
- IHO Standards for Hydrographic Surveys: Application of the IHO S-44 standard (precision orders 1A, 1B, special and exclusive)
- Digital cartographic compilation: vector digitization, structuring of geographic layers, attribute assignment and cartographic generalization
- The role of hydrographic offices: validation processes, nautical quality control and issuance of official cartography protected against alteration
- Bathymetric data quality (trust zones)
05
Electronic nautical cartography: vector letters and raster
- Evolution towards digital cartography: origin of electronic nautical cartography and conceptual differences between raster charts (RNC) and vector letters (ENC)
- Nautical charts Raster (RNC): Features, limitations, georeferencing of digitized images and standards IHO S-61
- Vector nautical electronic charts (ENC): Spatial object architecture, attributes, relational databases and data transfer standards IHO S-57
- The OHI Standard S-100: The new generation of digital hydrographic data standards (S-101 for vector ENC, S-102 for high resolution bathymetry, etc.)
- Protection and encryption of cartographic data: the IHO S-63 standard for the protection of nautical charts, licence management and activation keys (Permits)
- Electronic chart distribution schemes: regional nautical chart centres (RENC) and authorized distributors
- ENC Letter Validation: Topological Error Detection, Attribute Inconsistencies and Verification with Official Control Tools (Checkers)
- Update of electronic letters
06
Electronic chart information and visualisation systems (ECDIS)
- The ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) system: Definition, IMO/SOLES operational specifications and difference versus ECS (unofficial) systems
- Cartographic data presentation rules: The IHO S-52 standard for displaying on-screen data (colours, symbols and menus)
- Configuration of security layers in the ECDIS: safety contour (safety contour), depth of safety (safety depth), deep water contour and shallow water contour
- ECDIS integration with on-board sensors: connection with GNSS/GPS, gyro, sliding, echo sounder, radar/harp and automatic identification system (AIS)
- Navigation features in ECDIS: Route planning, automatic route checking and real-time monitoring (route monitoring)
- Management of alarms and indicators in electronic mapping: anti-collision configurations, off-route (cross track error - XTE), approach to hazards and sensor failure
- Digital ENC Letter Update: Downloading and installing weekly updates by correction files, magnetic media or satellite connection
- ECDIS Security Alarms and Settings
07
Legal framework, SOLAS regulations and management of cartographic information
- SOLAS Convention (Chapter V - Rule 19 and 27): Obligation to carry official letters and nautical publications on board (printed or in ECDIS compliant)
- Duplicity requirements (Backup requirements): Alternatives for the main ECDIS system failure (Second ECDIS second or full updated paper chart folio)
- Use of unofficial navigation charts: legal consequences, responsibility of the navigation officer and the captain in the use of recreational data
- Law of the sea and cartography (Convemar / UNCLOS): drawing of straight base lines, delimitation of the territorial sea, adjoining zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf
- Nautical Expertise and Cartographic Analysis After Accidents: The Use of ECDIS Records and the Nautical Chart as Evidence in Dry-Docking Investigations or Approaches
- Marine Spatial Data Management (NAI/MSDI): Spatial data infrastructures for integrated coastal zone management and marine spatial planning
- Cybersecurity in connected cartographic systems: prevention of computer vulnerabilities in the updating of electronic charts and connection with satellite networks
- International Hydrographic Organisation and National Services
08
CapStone Project: Planning of a cartographic navigation and integration defeat (paper and digital)
- Definition of the crossing scenario: Selection of a sea navigation route between two international ports crossing coastal areas, restricted canals and open water
- Selection and review of the cartographic portfolio: Identification of nautical charts (enc printed and electronics) necessary for the route, verifying their scale and update status
- Hazards study and nautical publications: extraction of key information from paths, lighthouse books, tidal tables and radio notifications to dump on the map
- Tracing of the defeat in paper and digital chart: waypoint delimitation, true/magnetic courses, distances per section, safety margins (XTE) and danger areas
- Configuration and verification in ECDIS simulator / Cartographic software: Loading of the programmed defeat, adjustment of the safety contour and execution of the obstacle detection test
- Preparation of the Passage Plan: Drafting of the formal navigation report according to IMO Resolution A.893(21) with the corresponding cartographic annexes
- Presentation and defence of the defeat plan
- Final presentation: Defence of the cartographic planning project before a court made up of captains of the Merchant Navy, hydrographic cartographers and specialists in digital navigation
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
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Who it is for
Students of Nautical Studies, Oceanography, and related fields seeking a solid foundation in the cartographic representation of the marine environment.Maritime professionals (fishing, transport, tourism) who wish to interpret and use nautical charts accurately.Sailing and water sports enthusiasts who aspire to plan safe routes and understand nautical symbols.Maritime rescue and emergency per
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
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Student Reviews
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Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Interpreting and using nautical charts for navigation
- 02Apply corrections for declination and magnetic deviation
- 03Determining the position of a vessel using cartographic methods
- 04Understanding the symbols and abbreviations used in nautical charting
- 05Assessing navigational risks and hazards
- 06Use nautical instruments for chart navigation
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Nautical Chart Assistant: Support in the creation and updating of nautical charts, using specialized software.
02Hydrographic Survey Assistant: Participation in the collection of bathymetric and oceanographic data for chart creation.
03Nautical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician: Management and analysis of spatial data related to the maritime environment.
04Support Staff in Maritime Engineering Companies: Collaboration on projects related to navigation and cartography.
05Assistant in Shipping Company Navigation Departments: Support in route planning and the management of cartographic information.
06Technician in Marine Research Institutions: Collaboration on projects requiring the use of nautical charts and GIS. Positioning.
07Support staff in ports and maritime authorities: Assistance in the management of cartographic information and navigational safety.
08Sales/technical support in nautical charting software companies: Sales, training, and technical support for products related to digital nautical charting.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Nautical charts.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Navigation charts.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:No specific prior studies are required. Interest in navigation, cartography, or maritime activities.Prior Knowledge:Basic knowledge of geography and elementary mathematical concepts (arithmetic, basic trigonometry) is recommended.Documentation:Completed registration form, copy of ID/Passport (optional).Technical Requirements (for online, if applicable):Access to a computer with an updated web browser and internet connection to access the learning materials and/or virtual classes.```
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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