Course Duration (Total): 26 weeks

Basic Seamanship Course : 4 Weeks

Small Arms Training : 3 Weeks (conducted either before or after Basic Seamanship Course)

Basic Combat Systems Operator Course : 7 Weeks - HMAS WATSON

Basic Combat Systems Operator Course (Mine Warfare) : 12 Weeks - HMAS WATERHEN

Basic Seamanship Course

This course is completed by all Seaman Branch sailors and covers all aspects of basic seamanship, including:

• Boatwork - crew, maintenance and navigation of power boats;
• Rigging - working all types of cordage and wire ropes, understanding splicing, maintenance of all forms of rigging, blocks, slips and shackles;
• Anchorwork - maintenance of ships and boats anchors and cables, and acting as a member of a ship's cable party;
• Helmsmanship - steering the ship;
• Ships Husbandry - cleanliness and maintenance of all parts of a ship (except machinery spaces);
• General - a working knowledge of ship organisation, routines, survival at sea and Rule of the Road for the prevention of collision at sea; and
• Evolutions - Towing, Heavy Jackstays, Light Jackstays, Man Overboard and Probe Refuelling evolutions are practiced.

On completion of recruit and seamanship training, CSOMWs attend HMAS WATSON for initial CSO common training for seven weeks.

On completion of the CSO course personnel move onto HMAS WATERHEN located at Waverton in Sydney for their initial CSOMW training. The duration of this training is 12 weeks. Trainees will be accommodated at the RAN's Endeavour House facility at Coogee Bay or HMAS PENGUIN located at Middle Head. The course consists of basic sonar and radar theory.

On completion of the CSO Mine Warfare course, Seaman and Able Seaman will be able to undertake the following activities:

• Mine Sweeping: prepare, stream and recover mechanical sweeps, prepare, stream and recover influence sweeps and maintain all Mine Sweeping equipment;
• Mine Hunting: set up and operate Mine Hunting Sonar, prepare, deploy and recover data collection systems, launch and recover underwater remotely control vehicles;
• Route Survey: prepare, deploy and recover data collection system, launch and recover remotely operated vehicles, maintain Route Survey equipment; and
• Operate and maintain the Mine Sweeping Drone Boats, stonefish exercise mines and gunnery weapons.