Compass Adjusters

CNITA members who provide Compass Adjusting services use Compass Adjusters having professional qualifications recognised in the locality in which they operate. CNITA Members can provide Compass Adjusters, who are available day and night to “swing” ships, in most major ports and elsewhere by arrangement.

CNITA works closely with the MCA in ensuring the high standards of compass adjusting in the UK. All trainee compass adjusters requiring a certificate of competency from the MCA must have their training records and deviation record sheets verified by the CNITA Compass Adjusters Certification panel before they are allowed to take their final examinations.

REMOTE COMPASS ADJUSTING

To comply with all SOLAS and MCA rules and regulations, CNITA compass adjusters will always attend your vessel personally. We believe this is the only method whereby your compass can be adjusted and maintained correctly and accurately.

CNITA does NOT condone the practice of “remote compass adjusting”.

Remote adjusting cannot fulfil the requirements of either SOLAS or the MCA.
Guidance published by the MCA states that “…all compass adjustments should be made by a compass adjuster who holds a Certificate of Competency as Compass Adjuster issued by the UK Government.” And goes on to say, “If a qualified compass adjuster is unavailable and the Master considers it necessary then adjustments may be made by a person holding a Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 1 (Master Mariner). The compass must be re-adjusted by a qualified compass adjuster at the next opportunity.”

There is nothing in either SOLAS or MCA regulations that refers to or allows the practice of “remote adjusting”. Therefore, any compass adjuster who is found to practice remote adjusting will not be considered for membership of CNITA.