The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 158
What are the limits of a passage or voyage plan?
From Full Away On Passage (FAOP) to End Of Passage (EOP).
It is dependant on the voyage and if there are any river or canal transits.
What action should the Officer of the Watch (OOW) take if he is forced to make a major deviation from the voyage plan?
Make an appropriate entry in the Log Book.
There is no special action necessary.
Check that the deviation will not lead into danger.
The ship is drifting in the open sea with a temporary engine breakdown. The ship is equipped with GPS navigation equipment. What should the bridge Officer of the Watch do in this situation?
All of the possible answers.
Display the “Not under Command” signal and switch off the normal steaming lights.
Plot the direction and rate of drift and predict the ships position for the period while the ship is “Not Under Command”.
Keep a good lookout for other ships.
How can a new officer, just boarding a ship, ensure that he knows the location and operation of all navigational and safety equipment and take account of the operating limitations of such equipment?
By asking other officers and practicing with the use of the equipment.
The certificate of competency will ensure the officer has suitable competence in operating the bridge equipment.
By following the standard company Induction procedures for a bridge watchkeeping officer.
By using the equipment on regular watchkeeping duties.
The Master arrives on the bridge obviously under the influence of alcohol and states he is taking over the “con” of the ship. What actions should the Officer of the Watch (OOW) take in this situation?
Attempt to diplomatically avoid taking any actions that would put the ship or crew into danger and call the Chief Officer for assistance.
Watch the actions made by the Master and if not dangerous, wait until the Master becomes more capable to take control or leaves the bridge.
Tell the Master you consider him incapable of taking over the responsibility of the watch and that he should retire to his cabin and sleep it off.
Tell the Master you do not think this is a good idea and retain control of the watch.
What would be considered the most favourable heading of a ship when launching a lifeboat?
The ship should steer about 30° off the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launch on the leeside.
The ship should steer about 100° of the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launched on the leeside.
The ship should lie stopped in the water with the weather on the opposite side to the boat to be launched.
The ship should steer with the prevailing weather and sea on the beam and the boat to be launch on the leeside.
You are in an area of restricted visibility. You hear this sound signal. What does it mean?
That there is a vessel in distress nearby.
That there is a vessel at anchor in the vicinity.
That there is a vessel aground in the vicinity.
That there is a vessel engaged in underwater operations in the vicinity. She has divers down.
The maximum rudder angle on your ship is 35°. Do you think this is the angle that the rudder is most effective?
No, the most effective rudder angle is about 25 to 30°, this is because the rudder is stalling at 35° angle.
Yes, the rudder is most effective at max angle.
No, the rudder is most effective at angles between 10 and 20°.
No, the rudder is most effective at small rudder angles.
The IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases are recommended to be used when the ship’s Officer is verbally talking to whom?
In circumstances described in all of the answers provided.
When talking on the VHF between ships.
When giving orders on board with other seafarers.
When talking between ship and shore personnel.
What can be used to reduce the effect of the state of sea-water?
The ship is navigating in dense fog where the visibility is less than one mile. The Arpa radar is set on a range 12 miles on a course of 314° and own ship has a vector as shown. What is the vector mode selected on the Arpa?
Relative vectors, sea stabilised.
Relative vectors, ground stabilised.
The ship is to berth alongside a quay in calm conditions of no wind or current. The ship has a single fixed pitch right handed propeller. Which angle of approach would be considered the most favourable?
The decision should be left to the pilot who is in charge of the manoeuvre.
The Master arrives on the bridge obviously under the influence of alcohol and states he is taking over the “con” of the ship. What actions should the Officer of the Watch (OOW) take in this situation?
Attempt to diplomatically avoid taking any actions that would put the ship or crew into danger and call the Chief Officer for assistance.
Watch the actions made by the Master and if not dangerous, wait until the Master becomes more capable to take control or leaves the bridge.
Tell the Master you consider him incapable of taking over the responsibility of the watch and that he should retire to his cabin and sleep it off.
Tell the Master you do not think this is a good idea and retain control of the watch.
What corrections must be applied to the echo sounder reading to compare the depth of water with the depth printed on the chart?
Allowance for the ships speed.
The distance between the pulse Transmitter and Receiver.
The ship has a single fixed pitch right-handed propeller and is going astern as illustrated. What is the most likely way the ship will react in these circumstances?
The stern will “back” into the wind and the ship’s heading will swing to starboard.
The bow will “seek” the wind and the ship will swing to port.
The ship will go straight astern and the heading will remain approximately the same.
The stern will fall off to starboard, making the heading swing to port.
What actions should the Officer of the Watch take when the ship’s steering gear fails?
All of the suggested answers.
Request the engine room to check the steering gear.
Call the Master and advise him of the situation.
Display the NUC signal and consider stopping the engines.
What is the purpose of a sea anchor?
To keep the lifeboat steady against the sea/wind.
To keep the lifeboat in a position close to the vessel.
To adjust the drifting speed of the lifeboat.
To give a better signals to any aircraft searching for survivors.
What type of vessel is this and from what direction are you seeing it?
This is a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling, making way through the water, with outlying gear extending more than 150 m in the direction of the all-round white light. I am looking at her port side.
This is a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling, making way through the water, with outlying gear extending more than 150 m in the direction of the all-round red light. I am seeing her from astern.
This is a vessel engaged in pilotage operations, deploying or recovering a pilot. I am looking at her port side.
This is a vessel engaged in pilotage duties at anchor. I am looking at her port side.
When fastening synthetic fibre ropes such as polypropylene on bitts, for safety and better rope control it is recommended to:
Make two round turns fast on the leading bitt and then figure of eight on both bitts, fig. 4.
Make it fast with round turns on the leading bitt alone, fig. 1.
Make it fast on the second bitt alone, fig. 2.
Make it fast in a figure of eight fashion, fig. 3.
You are in an area of restricted visibility and hear this signal. It is repeated at 2 minutes intervals. What does it indicate?
That there is another vessel nearby, that she is underway, but stopped and making no way through the water.
That there are two more vessels nearby.
That there is another vessel nearby, but that she is at anchor.
That there is another vessel in the vicinity and that she has just altered course to port.
Two ships are meeting in a restricted channel as illustrated. Which of the following actions would be the most suitable to take on both vessels as they approach and pass each other?
Slow down if possible without losing steerage and be prepared for prompt application of rudder to counteract any swing as they approach and pass each other.
Keep as far as possible on the starboard side of the channel and maintain speed to retain effective steerage.
Increase speed slightly to pass each other as quickly as possible and thereby reduce the effects of “ship to ship” interaction.
Maintain speed and a straight course on the starboard side of the channel.
The vessel is steaming off the coast when the engine room informs the bridge it must stop engines immediately. Shortly afterwards they informed the bridge they would need a least three hours to fix it. Which of the following actions would be the most suitable taken by the bridge?
Display the NUC signal, maintain the watch and determine how the ship is drifting and the probable position after 3 hours.
Display the NUC signal, maintain the watch and ask the Engine room to be a quick as possible.
Display the NUC signal, maintain the watch and wait for further developments.
Display the NUC signal and keep a good lookout.
Where can a ship expect an act of piracy to take place?
At the south end of the Red Sea.
Who is ultimately responsible for the voyage plan?
The Officer of the Watch (OOW) on duty.
The Second Officer as the official Navigation officer.
The ship owner will provide overall parameters within which the ship must follow.
The ship is required to be stopped in the water as quickly as possible, but without major changes to the ship’s heading. What is the most effective method to achieve this?
The use of the rudder hard over both sides combined with reducing engine power, a method known as “high frequency rudder cycling”.
Put the engine full astern and keep the rudder amidships.
Make a complete turn while reducing the engine power.
Make a zig zag manoeuvre while reducing the engine power.
The position of the ship provided by the GPS should always be confirmed by other means, when possible. Which of the following suggested methods would be the most accurate?
The ranges of three distinctive shore objects on the radar.
Bearing using the Radio Direction Finding of three radio beacons.
Compass bearings of three shore objects.
Bearing and distance from a navigational Buoy.
You are in an area of restricted visibility, close to a port. You hear this signal. What vessel does it come from and what additional information does the signal provide?
A vessel at anchor, more than 100 metres in length. She is sounding the additional signal to give warning of her position.
A vessel at anchor, less than 100 metres in length. She is sounding the additional signal top give warning of her position.
A vessel at anchor, more than 100 metres in length. The additional signal indicates that her cable extends at least 25 metres from her bow.
A vessel aground, more than 100 metres in length. The additional signal indicates which side the clear water lies on.
Who is responsible for the number and the position of any tugs to be used during a mooring operation?
The Master, with consideration of the advice of the pilot.
The Port Authority will dictate the tug requirements and their use within the port limits.
It will be only the wind speed that will determine the required number of tugs and how they are used.
The Pilot is fully responsible for the number and use of tugs within the port area.
What are the two parts of the magnetic compass error?
The latitude and longitude.
Permanent and induced magnetism.
The position of the ship is found by taking a series of bearings using a magnetic compass. How should an error of 5° WEST be applied to the compass bearings?
Subtract 5° to the bearings.
The same error applies to all bearings and therefore it can be ignored.
Add the 5° to the bearings.
The error should be “High” or “Low” and therefore more information is required.
What is the weather associated with being in the centre of an Anticyclone (a region of High Pressure)?
Light winds and fair weather, sometimes fog.
Persistent rain and very humid weather.
Strong winds but with very little rain.
Strong winds and heavy rain.
Rule 12 of the International Collision Regulations prescribes the action to be taken by a sailing vessel when meeting another sailing vessel. This depends on the direction of the wind relative to each vessel. In the situation shown here, which sailing vessel (A or B) must keep out of the way of the other?
Sailing vessel A must keep out of the way of sailing vessel B.
Sailing vessel B must keep out of the way of sailing vessel A.
Both sailing vessels are required to take avoiding action.
The upwind sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the downwind sailing vessel.
What is the two letter signal, to be used by flags, radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy, meaning “Calling All Ships”?
A man is reported to have fallen overboard and the Officer of the Watch releases the lifebuoy and starts a man overboard manoeuvre, who are the first persons onboard he should inform?
Chief Officer and lifeboat party.
The crew quarters for extra lookouts.
What is happening here?
These are two vessels engaged in fishing (pair trawling), showing the additional volutary signals for hauling nets.
These are two vessels engaged in fishing (pair trawling), showing the additional voluntary signals for shooting nets.
This is a vessel engaged in towing a disabled tow, restricted in its ability to manoeuvre, with a searchlight used to highlight the location of the tow.
These are two vessels engaged in fishing, using purse-seine gear. The searchlights are simply working lights.
Which of the following hull shapes would normally provide a directionally stable ship?
A long ship with a narrow beam.
A short ship with a wide beam.
A short ship with a narrow beam.
A long ship with a wide beam.
The bridge Officer of the Watch (OOW) is plotting the ship’s position in the chartroom, when the ship is in collision with a fishing vessel. Why would the OOW be held responsible for the collision?
Under the Rules a proper lookout should be maintained at all times and by all available means.
If risk of Collision existed, the fishing boat should have contacted the larger ship over the VHF before the collision took place.
Under the Rules the fishing vessel should have kept clear of larger vessels and the OOW would not be responsible.
If the OOW is busy with the safe navigation of the ship he should have exhibited the “Not under Command” signals and made other ships keep clear.
What are we seeing here?
A sailing vessel less than 20 metres in length, displaying the optional combined lantern in lieu of standard sailing lights, seen head-on.
A sailing vessel, seen from astern, where the edges of her sidelights are both visible.
A sailing vessel, at anchor.
A sailing vessel of less than 10 metres in length, displaying the mandatory combined lantern in lieu of sailing lights, seen head-on.
A ship is navigating in the Caribbean in August when it receives the warning of a Hurricane. To determine the centre of the storm the Master uses “Buys Ballot’s Law” and faces the wind. On what side of the Master would the low pressure area be located?
This is not a suitable method to use with a Hurricane.
The rudder is in the hard over position with the propeller stopped and the ship turning slowly. On a ship with a single fixed pitch right handed propeller and no thrusters, what can be done to make the ship increase the speed of turn without significantly increasing the forward speed of the ship?
Give the engines a short kick ahead.
Give dead slow ahead on the engines and leave the rudder in the hard over position.
Give half astern on the engines as this will increase the rate of turn.
Give full astern on the engines until ship has stopped and then full ahead on the engines with rudder hard over.
What are the main components causing the magnetic compass to require a regular evaluation and compass correction?
Permanent and induced magnetism in the ships structure.
The change in the position of the magnetic pole causing annual changes in the variation.
The continual changes of courses steered by the ship.
What is the depth of an iceberg below the surface of the sea?
The draught of an iceberg varies with the type of berg and its age.
The draught of an iceberg is normally about 3/4 of its total depth.
The draught of an iceberg is about the same as the visible part of the iceberg above the water.
The depth of an iceberg below the surface is always about one sixth of its total depth.
The lights here show those that must be exhibited by a vessel engaged in towing, as per rule 24 of the International Collision Regulations. But how long is the tow behind this vessel?
It is more than 50 metres but less than 200 metres.
It is less than 200 metres.
Which part of the magnetic compass error changes with a change in the course steered?
All of the suggested answers.
Which is the “CENTRE LINE”, in the figure?
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by A, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by D, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by C, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by B, in the figure.
Which approved publication should be used by a seafarer to help overcome any misunderstanding in communications?
The (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) booklet.
The Oxford Concise Dictionary.
The (ISC) Bridge Procedures Guide.
Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary.
When a ship is lying at anchor in a tidal area using both forward anchors, to what particular aspect should the officer of the watch be paying special attention?
When the ship swings to the tide the direction of swing should be controlled to avoid the anchor cables becoming wrapped round each other.
The ship will become controlled by the tide and the wind will not be allowed to have any effect on the direction the ship lies at anchor.
The two anchors will restrict the ships swing with the tide and the ship may not lie to the prevailing current and wind.
The tension on both cables should be similar, to avoid one dragging and all the weight of the ship remaining on the other anchor only.
Which of the following answers most suitably cover the standard duties of the bridge Officer of the Watch when the ship is at anchorage?
Display anchor signal, check the ships position and keep a good lookout.
Display the anchor signal, patrol the ship frequency and check the anchor chain for dragging.
Display anchor signal and keep a good lookout of other ships in the area.
Display the anchor signal and ensure the ship swings the same way at each change of tide.
The ship is drifting in the open sea with a temporary engine breakdown. The ship is equipped with GPS navigation equipment. What should the bridge Officer of the Watch do in this situation?
All of the possible answers.
Display the “Not under Command” signal and switch off the normal steaming lights.
Plot the direction and rate of drift and predict the ships position for the period while the ship is “Not Under Command”.
Keep a good lookout for other ships.
Why should Ground Stabilised True Motion display mode be avoided when using the ARPA for anti-collision purposes?
The collision regulations are based on ship courses through the water.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of other ships.
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
The Relative Motion display and relative vectors is the only display to use for anti-collision purposes.
What methods could be introduced into a passage plan for continuous monitoring of the ships position when navigating along a coastline?
The radar ranges of the coastline at all course alteration points.
Conspicuous headlands and navigational marks for taking positions.
All of the suggested answers.
How will the ship behave if it experiences a complete loss of power (black out) in the situation illustrated?
The vessel will gradually swing to port and the speed will slowly reduce.
The vessel will gradually swing to starboard and the speed will slowly reduce.
The wind will push the vessel sideways, but the heading will not change.
The vessel will continue on course and the speed will slowly reduce.
Two mooring lines are pretensioned equally and have the same length, same breaking strength and same directional load. However, one is made of wire (with a full load elastic elongation of about 1,5 % of its length) and the other made of nylon (with a full load elongation of about 30 % of its length). If a gust of wind increases the load on the lines, how will it be shared?
Wire takes 95 % of the extra load. Rope takes 5 % of the extra load..
Wire takes 55 % of the extra load. Rope takes 45 % of the extra load.
Wire takes 45 % of the extra load. Rope takes 55 % of the extra load.
The wire and rope will share the load equally.
The maximum height that a pilot should be required to climb on a pilot ladder before reaching the deck or stepping onto an accommodation ladder platform is:
When should gangway nets be rigged?
Whenever the gangway is rigged.
Between sunset and sunrise.
Whenever the gangway is regarded as unsafe.
When it is deemed necessary by the Master of the Chief Officer.
You are proceeding along a coastal route when you hear this signal. The visibility is severely restricted. What does the signal mean?
There is a vessel aground in the vicinity. She is more than 100 metres in length. She is sounding an additional warning to approaching vessels that they are “running into danger”.
There is a vessel at anchor in the vicinity. She is less than 100 metres in length. She is sounding an additional warning to approaching vessels that they are “running into danger”.
There is a vessel aground in the vicinity. She is less than 100 metres in length. She is sounding an additional warning to approaching vessels to “navigate with extreme caution”.
There is a vessel at anchor in the vicinity. She is more than 100 metres in length. She is sounding an additional warning signal to approaching vessels, directing them to “keep clear”.
The ship has a right-handed propeller and is swinging to starboard when the engines are slow ahead and the rudder is to starboard. The engines are stopped and the rate of swing rapidly slows down. How could the swing to starboard be maintained without the ship making much headway.
Astern on the engines will allow Transverse Thrust to continue the swing.
By applying the rudder hard over to starboard and going ahead on the engines.
The only effective method is by using the bow thruster to push the bow to starboard.
Transverse Thrust will reduce the swing and therefore a kick ahead is necessary with full starboard helm applied.
You are in open water and clear conditions. You are approaching the pilot station when you hear this signal from a vessel ahead of you. What does it signify?
That the vessel is operating astern propulsion.
That the vessel is starting his engine and resuming his passage.
That the vessel is altering his course to starboard.
That the vessel is picking up his pilot.
Where can the size of the Magnetic Compass Error be found?
By taking a transit bearing of two fixed geographical positions and comparing it with the bearing of the same points on the chart.
On the chart in the centre of the compass rose or by reference to the Variation chart, taking into account the annual changes.
By taking the error from the Deviation Table on the bridge.
By reference to the last entry in the Compass Error Log Book.
The Second Officer, when on watch on the bridge, is often referred to as the OOW. What does OOW actually stand for?
On official watchkeeping.
In the figure, which letter gives the correct understanding of the term “LENGTH OVERALL”?
Length Overall is indicated by B, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by D, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by A, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by C, in the figure.
What is the situation of this vessel?
This vessel is not under command, but is making way through the water.
This vessel is not under command and stopped in the water.
This is a vessel constrained by her draft.
A ship is equipped with a right-handed fixed pitch propeller, which when going from Full Ahead to Full Astern will make the ship sheer to starboard. Can anything be done to reduce this change in heading?
The rudder can be put to Hard to Port to reduce the water from to the right side of the propeller.
The rudder can be put from side to side in a “Rudder Cycling” movement.
The rudder should be kept amidships when going astern and there is little that can be done to reduce the swing to starboard.
The rudder should be put Hard to Port to reduce the water flow to the left side of the propeller.
You are approaching a port in a snowstorm. You hear this signal. What kind of vessel is it and what is it doing?
It comes from a vessel engaged in pilotage duties and it is making way through the water.
It comes from a vessel engaged in pilotage duties at anchor, over 100 metres in length.
It comes from a vessel at anchor, less than 100 metres in length.
It comes from a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
If a distress signal is received on board your ship, what should be the first action that should be taken?
Attempt to establish contact with the distressed vessel.
Contact SAR Authorities via nearest coastal Radio station.
Determine how close your vessel is to the distressed vessel.
Determine if anyone else has heard the distress signal and if your vessel is near the distress.
What is correct UTC in this example? Approx. Pos: N49° 51′ W35° 23′, zone +2, Local Time 0900.
What corrections must be applied to the echo sounder reading to compare the depth of water with the depth printed on the chart?
Allowance for the ships speed.
The distance between the pulse Transmitter and Receiver.
You are in open water and clear conditions. You are approaching the pilot station when you hear this signal from a vessel ahead of you. What does it signify?
That the vessel is operating astern propulsion.
That the vessel is starting his engine and resuming his passage.
That the vessel is altering his course to starboard.
That the vessel is picking up his pilot.
When splicing an eye on a mooring wire (using the recommended 5 full tucks and 2 half tucks) the effective breaking strength of the wire may be affected by the splice. What would be the anticipated change in the breaking strength of the wire?
A reduction in strength of 10 % to 15 %.
A reduction in strength of 30 % to 40 %.
A reduction in strength of 1 % to 5 %.
No reduction in strength.
What is the correct understanding of the term “bank effect”? If a ship was approaching the bank at an angle, what would be the effect on the ship?
The vessel’s bow is pushed away from the bank.
The vessel’s bow is attracted by the bank.
The whole vessel would continue straight towards the bank and would require a large helm order to avoid going aground.
The vessel’s stern is pushed away from the bank.
The gyro compass can suffer from a compass error and may need to be allowed for, when steering a course in a dangerous navigational area. What is the probable cause of the error?
An uncorrected course and speed error.
Fluctuations in the electrical supply to the compass.
In an extreme case, in addition to having your winch brakes as tight as can be, you can increase the brake holding capacity of the winch drum by putting it in gear and setting the power to the “heave” position. However this may cause:
All the listed alternatives.
The increased braking power of the winch to exceed the breaking strength of the wire and rope paid out from it which might cause the wire or rope to part.
Strain on the fairleads and rollers in use in excess of their Safe Working Load.
Damage to the winch by distorting the shaft.
You are on a power-driven vessel underway in open water. This vessel is sighted on the port bow on a steady bearing. What kind of vessel is it and what will your action be?
This is a sailing vessel underway, seen head-on. It is my responsibility to keep clear under rule 18 and I will take appropriate avoiding action.
This is a vessel engaged in fishing. It is my responsibility to keep clear under rule 18 and I will alter course to starboard, sounding one short blast.
This is a sailing vessel underway. I am the stand-on vessel and will maintain my course and speed under rule 17.
This is a sailing vessel not making way through the water. There is no risk of collision and I will maintain my course and speed.
What does this signal hoist mean?
I require immediate assistance.
Do you require assistance?
I require medical assistance.
What are the immediate duties of the bridge Officer of the Watch when the ship suddenly runs into a fog bank?
Commence sounding the fog signal, engines on standby, call the Master and lookout, if not already on duty.
Commence sounding the fog signal and reduce speed to Slow Ahead.
Commence sounding the fog signal and call the Master and wait for him to arrive before taking any further actions.
Commence sounding the fog signal and if the radar indicates no echoes in the vicinity, proceed at the normal speed until ships are detected on the radar or until the fog lifts.
What, by definition in the International Collision Regulations, is a “vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre”?
A vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by the Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
A vessel engaged in underwater work, such as the laying, picking up or servicing of a pipeline, or which is in support of diving operations, performing dredging and mine-clearance or is deploying or recovering a pilot.
A vessel which because of her draught in relation to the available depth of navigable water is restricted in her ability to deviate from her course and keep out of the way of another vessel.
A vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by the Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
Why should Ground Stabilised True Motion display mode be avoided when using the ARPA for anti-collision purposes?
The collision regulations are based on ship courses through the water.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of other ships.
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
The Relative Motion display and relative vectors is the only display to use for anti-collision purposes.
What sound signal shall be used on ship’s whistle when there is a man overboard?
3 long blasts repeatedly.
6 long blasts repeatedly.
5 long blasts repeatedly.
4 long blasts repeatedly.
What are the required data inputs into most gyro compasses to reduce any possible compass error?
Maximum helm angle and rolling period.
All of the data in the suggested answers.
In the Beaufort Scale of Wind Force, what is the Beaufort number associated with the wind force known as a “Gale”? This should not be confused with a “Near Gale” or “Strong Gale”?