Offshore navigators and DP operators choose to up-grade their professional skills by attending Position Reference Courses which describe various innovative systems that determine vessel’s position. Today most ship builders give preference to the HiPAP (High Precision Acoustic Positioning) position reference system; therefore, the majority of courses are devoted to studying its hardware and software, SSBL (Super Short Base Line) and LBL (Long Base Line) positioning principles, plus runtime calibration. These are courses like HiPAP LBL Operator Course and HiPAP Operator Course. All trainings include a troubleshooting module; however, there are specialized technical courses such as HiPAP Technical Course or HIPAP Transponder Maintenance Course which initially give more attention to maintenance and calibration.

The DARPS (Differential Absolute and Relative Positioning Sensor) is another important position reference system which is DP based and specifically developed for offshore loading operations. DARPS Operator Course program is focused on in-depth characteristics of the product. It also explains GPS and GLONASS computation of relative position data and calculations to correct absolute vessel position. Practical part includes simulator exercises with DARPS and Fugro DGPS demodulator.