Environment, Coasts, Oceans, & Infrastructure

What does an engineer need to know when performing navigation engineering work? Where do government and private organizations look to find engineers capable of immediately contributing to their waterborne transportation missions?  The document attached to this post describes a model graduate engineering curriculum that universities and organizations can use to produce and find well-prepared navigation engineers.

Please provide your comments and questions here or in an email to ASCEcollection@....

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Bill-Mc – glad to see the topic. I remember, you have floated something similar in the past. I was busy then – couldn't manage time to respond. Wouldn't like to miss it this time. Hope others would contribute their views and experience.

Thanks for the attachment, which you co-chaired. It's quite elaborate – but mostly cover what are known generally.

Without going into the attachment, let me attempt to add something here by drawing upon my works at three companies in the late leg of my professional experience – as well as my teaching at FIT (taught both Coastal Engineering, and Port and Harbor Engineering).

What an engineer need to know? Many are commonly understood, here is an outline of some multi-disciplinary courses to know. For us, CE's, the first group is relevant.

1. Coastal Hydraulic Civil Engineering (CCE) tenet of Civil Engineering (CE). CCE has broad scope of many aspects catering to CE – such as subtopics or stand-alone discipline of Port and Harbor Engineering and Maritime Engineering. Coastal Engineering on our Seashore – has highlights of some – the a- and b- envelopes of engineering activities. They are senior-year undergraduate or graduate courses that teach metocean fundamentals, designing structural layout and configuration, environmental loading on – and also, the effects assessment. There is also a separate offshoot that teaches structures engineering covering strength and geotechnical designs. These are all part of coastal waterfront and in-water civil engineering.

2. Mechanical Engineering (ME). Naval Architect tenet of ME is touted as the discipline on Navigation Engineering that cover: floating structure dynamics of tethered, moored, free or while on speed, stability, safety, navigation rules, etc. Some coastal engineers also do the civil part of works, like I did.

3. And some courses of Electrical Engineering (EE, especially on navigation electrical appliances, communication, etc.).

Among some other relevant articles and essays in my Website – here are some particular ones: Wave Forces on Slender Structures; Ship Motion and Mooring Restraints; Wave Structure Interactions & Scour; Managing Coastal Inlets; Propwash; Breakwater; Harbor Sedimentation; Coastal Water Level; Flood Barrier Systems; and The Hydraulics of Sediment Transport.

Apart from graduate courses I took at Delft; some others I learned on the job (thankful and grateful to my employers, mentors, and senior colleagues) including many I learned from different literature including Standards, Codes and Manuals.

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Dr. Dilip K Barua, PhD

Website Links and Profile

Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2026 10:50 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Navigation Engineering

What does an engineer need to know when performing navigation engineering work? Where do government and private organizations look to find engineers capable of immediately contributing to their waterborne transportation missions?  The document attached to this post describes a model graduate engineering curriculum that universities and organizations can use to produce and find well-prepared navigation engineers.

Please provide your comments and questions here or in an email to <maskemail>ASCEcollection@...</maskemail>.

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Thanks for the good insights and cites, Dilip. Useful, as always.

Bill Mc

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2026 10:40 PM
From: Dilip Barua
Subject: Navigation Engineering

Bill-Mc – glad to see the topic. I remember, you have floated something similar in the past. I was busy then – couldn't manage time to respond. Wouldn't like to miss it this time. Hope others would contribute their views and experience.

Thanks for the attachment, which you co-chaired. It's quite elaborate – but mostly cover what are known generally.

Without going into the attachment, let me attempt to add something here by drawing upon my works at three companies in the late leg of my professional experience – as well as my teaching at FIT (taught both Coastal Engineering, and Port and Harbor Engineering).

What an engineer need to know? Many are commonly understood, here is an outline of some multi-disciplinary courses to know. For us, CE's, the first group is relevant.

1. Coastal Hydraulic Civil Engineering (CCE) tenet of Civil Engineering (CE). CCE has broad scope of many aspects catering to CE – such as subtopics or stand-alone discipline of Port and Harbor Engineering and Maritime Engineering. Coastal Engineering on our Seashore – has highlights of some – the a- and b- envelopes of engineering activities. They are senior-year undergraduate or graduate courses that teach metocean fundamentals, designing structural layout and configuration, environmental loading on – and also, the effects assessment. There is also a separate offshoot that teaches structures engineering covering strength and geotechnical designs. These are all part of coastal waterfront and in-water civil engineering.

2. Mechanical Engineering (ME). Naval Architect tenet of ME is touted as the discipline on Navigation Engineering that cover: floating structure dynamics of tethered, moored, free or while on speed, stability, safety, navigation rules, etc. Some coastal engineers also do the civil part of works, like I did.

3. And some courses of Electrical Engineering (EE, especially on navigation electrical appliances, communication, etc.).

Among some other relevant articles and essays in my Website – here are some particular ones: Wave Forces on Slender Structures; Ship Motion and Mooring Restraints; Wave Structure Interactions & Scour; Managing Coastal Inlets; Propwash; Breakwater; Harbor Sedimentation; Coastal Water Level; Flood Barrier Systems; and The Hydraulics of Sediment Transport.

Apart from graduate courses I took at Delft; some others I learned on the job (thankful and grateful to my employers, mentors, and senior colleagues) including many I learned from different literature including Standards, Codes and Manuals.

--------------------

Dr. Dilip K Barua, PhD

Website Links and Profile

Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2026 10:50 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Navigation Engineering

What does an engineer need to know when performing navigation engineering work? Where do government and private organizations look to find engineers capable of immediately contributing to their waterborne transportation missions?  The document attached to this post describes a model graduate engineering curriculum that universities and organizations can use to produce and find well-prepared navigation engineers.

Please provide your comments and questions here or in an email to <maskemail>ASCEcollection@...</maskemail>.

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

William,

You have raised an important and timely point that aligns closely with the ongoing efforts within ACOPNE. The Body of Knowledge (BoK) for Navigation Engineering is currently being updated to ensure it fully encompasses the technical breadth and interdisciplinary competencies expected of a board‑certified Navigation Engineer. The material you shared reflects several key elements and will be effectively integrated into the expanded and more detailed framework under development.

Thank you as well for your continued contribution to shaping the Navigation Engineering BoK. Your outline provides valuable structure, and the points highlighted by Dilip Barua-particularly regarding floating structure stability, navigation aids, and navigation‑related communication systems-address critical intersections with mechanical and electrical engineering that are fundamental to safe and efficient navigation.

In addition to these areas, the updated BoK will incorporate several other essential domains, including:

1. Engineering Economics and Decision‑Making

Navigation Engineers must understand cost–benefit analysis, lifecycle cost assessments, and economic optimization to support effective planning, investment, and prioritization of waterway and navigational infrastructure projects.

2. Numerical and Physical Modeling

Given the increasing reliance on advanced analytical tools, proficiency in both numerical and physical modeling is essential. This includes:

• Fast‑time navigation simulations
• Real‑time navigation simulations
• Hydrodynamic, sediment transport, and morphodynamic modeling
• Physical modeling for channel hydraulics, vessel interactions, and structural performance

3. Navigation System Design and Analysis

This includes understanding design criteria for waterways, channel geometry, under‑keel clearance, maneuverability requirements, traffic management, and comprehensive navigational risk assessment.

4. Integrated Waterway and Port Systems Understanding

Although ACOPNE administers a separate Port Engineering certification, the Navigation Engineering BoK will maintain a strong focus on navigation‑specific elements rather than land‑side port planning and berth structural design. However, Navigation Engineers must still understand how channels interface with turning basins, approach channels, pilotage areas, and terminal access zones.

5. Regulatory, Environmental, and Operational Considerations

Navigation Engineers should be familiar with:

• Environmental compliance and permitting requirements
• Local, national, and international navigation regulations
• Operational constraints associated with vessel traffic, tides, sedimentation, and maintenance cycles

6. Dredging Engineering and Sediment Management

A crucial component of navigation engineering is the ability to plan, manage, and monitor seabed dredging operations to ensure adequate navigable water depth.

The BoK will address:

• Determination of required channel depths, widths, and side slopes based on vessel characteristics
• Evaluation of seabed materials and sediment behavior
• Development of dredging strategies, including capital dredging and maintenance dredging
• Management of dredged material, including:
• Proper handling and disposal of unsuitable material at approved offshore or onshore disposal sites
• Identification and stockpiling of suitable dredged material for beneficial reuse, such as land reclamation, beach nourishment, dune stabilization, and habitat restoration
• Environmental impact assessment and mitigation related to turbidity, sediment dispersion, and marine life
• Quality assurance and compliance monitoring during dredging operations

This domain ensures that Navigation Engineers are equipped to maintain safe water depths, optimize material use, and adhere to environmental and regulatory requirements.

Collectively, these expanded elements establish a comprehensive, modernized Body of Knowledge designed to support the technical expertise, interdisciplinary awareness, and professional judgment expected of a board‑certified Navigation Engineer.

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Ahmed Ahmed Ph.D., C.Eng, BC.CE, F.ASCE
Associate Principal Coastal Engineer
Dar Al Handasah (Shair and Partners)
Giza
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2026 10:50 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Navigation Engineering

What does an engineer need to know when performing navigation engineering work? Where do government and private organizations look to find engineers capable of immediately contributing to their waterborne transportation missions?  The document attached to this post describes a model graduate engineering curriculum that universities and organizations can use to produce and find well-prepared navigation engineers.

Please provide your comments and questions here or in an email to <maskemail>ASCEcollection@...</maskemail>.

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------