The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 209
If a distress signal is received on board your ship, what should be the first action that should be taken?
Determine how close your vessel is to the distressed vessel.
Contact SAR Authorities via nearest coastal Radio station.
Determine if anyone else has heard the distress signal and if your vessel is near the distress.
Attempt to establish contact with the distressed vessel.
Where can a ship expect an act of piracy to take place?
At the south end of the Red Sea.
What are the required data inputs into most gyro compasses to reduce any possible compass error?
All of the data in the suggested answers.
Maximum helm angle and rolling period.
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.
Where would the “pivot point” be considered to be located when the ship is proceeding at full speed ahead and there is no wind or current?
At a position near the stern of the ship.
At about 1/6 of the ship’s length from the stern.
At about 1/6 of the ship’s length from the bow.
What does this flag mean?
I wish to communicate with you.
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
What methods could be introduced into a passage plan for continuous monitoring of the ships position when navigating along a coastline?
Conspicuous headlands and navigational marks for taking positions.
The radar ranges of the coastline at all course alteration points.
All of the suggested answers.
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.
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of other ships.
The Relative Motion display and relative vectors is the only display to use for anti-collision purposes.
What can be simply rigged to assist a survival craft in keeping alongside own vessel?
The accommodation ladder deployed to the water surface.
The survival craft painter made fast on the vessel’s deck.
A single weighted line hanging over the side from the deck.
A painter rigged fore and aft against the vessel’s side.
Which of the four calculations illustrated is the correct one to determine the latitude of the observer when the sun is on the meridian?
Calculation 3 is correct.
Calculation 2 is correct.
Calculation 1 is correct.
Calculation 4 is correct.
Which of the following figures drawn on the plane of the Meridian is correct for an observer in position Latitude 30° 00′ North; Longitude 15° 00′ West, when observing the sun on the meridian, if the sun’s Declination is 15° 00′ South?
Why should a Ground Stabilised True Motion radar display not be used for anti-collision purposes?
Because this display is only ever used for navigation.
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
The “aspect” of the target is confused, so the Regulations for Preventing Collisions cannot be accurately applied.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of targets as only true vectors are available.
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.
What is the correct understanding of the term “a ship with good Directional Stability”?
A ship moving forwards with the rudder amidships, will continue in a straight line.
The ship will shear away from its heading if not controlled.
A ship when swinging, will continue to swing even after the rudder is returned to amidships.
A ship will always follow in the direction that the rudder is put.
Is the location of a vessel’s standard compass binnacle critical?
Yes, it should be on the fore and aft centreline of the ship.
Yes, for the reasons stated in all of the suggested answers.
Yes, it should be sited on a non-metallic base if possible.
Yes, it should be away from major electrical power cables.
What would be the stopping distance of a VLCC when proceeding at 8 knots in deep water and the engines are put “Full Astern”?
Varies, but can be determined from trial data.
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, directing them to “keep clear”.
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 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”.
Two ships travelling in opposite directions are to pass each other in a narrow river, as illustrated. Explain what is likely to happen as they pass each other?
Due to interaction, the bows will repel each other, and then when alongside each other the two ships will be sucked together and finally the sterns will be repelled as they start to pass clear.
There will be very little effect between the two ships as they pass.
Due to interaction, the bows will attract each other as they approach, then they will repel each other alongside and as they pass clear, the sterns will be attracted.
As they approach, rudder should be applied quickly to avoid sheering into the path of each other. Then as they are alongside they will be attracted and finally repel each other as they pass clear.
You are proceeding along a narrow channel and approaching a bend, on the inside shore of which is a large hill, which obsures your view further up channel. What sound signal will you make to indicate your presence to any vessel that is behind the obstructing hill?
How can the effects of Squat be minimized, when a ship is proceeding in shallow water?
Maintain a speed of about 6 knots and use minimal rudder when manoeuvring.
Enter the shallow water with a stern trim and proceed at a moderate speed.
Decrease the speed and keep this ship to the centre of the channel where the water is probably deepest.
Maintain a slow speed just sufficient to maintain steerage.
How will the ship behave if it experiences a complete loss of power (blackout) 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 vessel will continue on course and the speed will slowly reduce.
The wind will push the vessel sideways, but the heading will not change.
The maximum rudder angle on your ship is 35°. Do you think this is the angle that the rudder is most effective?
No, the rudder is most effective at small rudder angles.
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°.
What is important to check when transferring a position from the GPS receiver to a paper chart?
The chart datum is correct for the area the vessel is located.
That it is a “2D” fix and the antenna height is set correctly.
That the chart datum is also WGS84 or there are corrections.
Ensure that the chart has been corrected up to date.
When should a ship’s officer use some of the English language found in the IMO’s publication “Standard Marine Communication Phrases”?
When talking between ship and shore in a foreign land.
In circumstances described in all of the answers provided.
When talking on the VHF between ships of differing flag states.
When giving orders to a multi-national bridge team.
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?
The wire and rope will share the load equally.
Wire takes 45 % of the extra load. Rope takes 55 % of the extra load.
Wire takes 55 % of the extra load. Rope takes 45 % of the extra load.
Wire takes 95 % of the extra load. Rope takes 5 % of the extra load..
A balanced rudder has some of the rudder area forward of the rudder axis. About how much area should this be to call it a balanced rudder?
The positions of the ship provided by the GPS receiver should always be verified by other means. Which of the following suggested methods would be the most accurate?
Bearing and distance from a navigational buoy.
Radar bearings of three distinctive shore objects.
Radar ranges of three distinctive shore objects.
A DR updated position from the last reliable one.
What are we seeing here?
A sailing vessel of less than 10 metres in length, displaying the mandatory combined lantern in lieu of sailing lights, seen head-on.
A sailing vessel, seen from astern, where the edges of her sidelights are both visible.
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, at anchor.
According to rule 12 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions, in the situation illustrated, which sailing vessel (A or B) must keep out of the way of the other?
Sailing vessel A must out of the way of sailing vessel B.
Both sailing vessels are required to take avoiding action.
Sailing vessel B must out of the way of sailing vessel A.
The upwind sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the downwind sailing vessel.
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.
Tell the Master you do not think this is a good idea and retain control of the watch.
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.
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.
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 not making way through the water. There is no risk of collision and I will maintain my course and speed.
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 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, seen head-on. It is my responsibility to keep clear under rule 18 and I will take appropriate avoiding action.
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.
When fastening synthetic fibre ropes such as polypropylene on bitts, for safety and better rope control it is recommended to:
Make it fast with round turns on the leading bitt alone, fig. 1.
Make it fast in a figure of eight fashion, fig. 3.
Make two round turns fast on the leading bitt and then figure of eight on both bitts, fig. 4.
Make it fast on the second bitt alone, fig. 2.
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 whole vessel would continue straight towards the bank and would require a large helm order to avoid going aground.
The vessel’s bow is pushed away from the bank.
The vessel’s stern is pushed away from the bank.
The vessel’s bow is attracted by the bank.
You are on a sailing vessel, underway in open water. This vessel is sighted on the starboard bow, on a steady bearing and the distance is closing. By the International Regulations for the Preventing Collisions at Sea, what action will you follow?
Risk of collision is deemed to exist and, as the other vessel is on a steady bearing on my starboard side, I am required to keep out of the way. I will make a broad alteration of course to starboard.
By Rule 18, a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel. I will maintain my course and speed, but will continue to monitor situation to ensure the other vessel takes avoiding action.
Risk of collision is deemed to exist and, as the other vessel is on a steady bearing on my starboard side, I will maintain my course and speed.
This vessel is clearly a power-driven vessel and I anticipate that the bearing will therefore close and she will pass ahead at a safe distance.
What special equipment can often provide assistance in locating a survival craft or man overboard and in the water?
A sectored search pattern.
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 anchor signal and keep a good lookout of other ships in the area.
Display the anchor signal, patrol the ship frequency and check the anchor chain for dragging.
Display the anchor signal and ensure the ship swings the same way at each change of tide.
What is the weather associated with being in the centre of an Anticyclone (a region of High Pressure)?
Strong winds and heavy rain.
Persistent rain and very humid weather.
Strong winds but with very little rain.
Light winds and fair weather, sometimes fog.
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?
Maintain speed and a straight course on the starboard side of the channel.
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.
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.
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?
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.
All of the possible answers.
Display the “Not under Command” signal and switch off the normal steaming lights.
What would be the effects of a ship passing into shallow water?
The vessel has a tendency to swing to port with a single fixed-pitch right-hand turning propeller.
There is no noticeable difference in performance of the ship.
The speed is not affected, but more rudder is required to steer the ship.
The ship is less responsive to both rudder and propeller.
What is the description for a sidelight, as shown in rule 21 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea?
A red, green or yellow lantern, showing an unbroken light over an arc of 112,5°.
A green light on the starboard side and red light on the port side, showing an unbroken light over an arc of 135°, from right ahead to 22,5° abaft the beam on the respective side.
A green light on the starboard side and red light on the port side, showing an unbroken light over an arc of 112,5°, from right ahead to 22,5° abaft the beam on the respective side.
A red light or a green light, with a minimum range, in a vessel of 50 metres or more, of 3 miles. In a vessel of 10 metres.
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.
Which of the answers best summarises the information which should be provided for the bridge Officer of the Watch within an effective Voyage plan?
All of the suggested answers.
Expected prevailing wind and weather.
Contingency arrangements in case of problems.
Courses to steer; distance off dangers; parallel index lines; expected currents; prevailing winds; distance between alteration points.
What is the weather associated with being in the centre of an Anticyclone (a region of High Pressure)?
Strong winds and heavy rain.
Light winds and fair weather, sometimes fog.
Persistent rain and very humid weather.
Strong winds but with very little rain.
You are on a power-driven vessel underway in open water. This vessel is sighted directly ahead. The distance is closing slowly. What action will you take under the International Collision Regulations and why?
I will keep out of her way. I am the overtaking vessel and am obliged to keep clear under rule 13.
I will maintain my course and speed. The other vessel is being overtaken and is therefore obliged to keep out of the way by rule 13.
The vessel is on a steady bearing and the distance is closing. I will therefore take avoiding action, altering course to starboard and sounding one short blast under rules 14 and 16.
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 less than 200 metres.
It is more than 50 metres but less than 200 metres.
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 can be a cause of error observed on a gyro compass reading?
Fluctuations in the magnetism around the compass.
Incorrectly set heading and speed values.
Incorrectly set latitude and speed values.
Large values of variation caused by the gyro pole.
What immediate actions should the Officer of the Watch take when the ship goes aground on an uncharted shoal in the middle of the ocean?
Stop engines and immediately request “Full Astern”.
Stop engines and tell the engine room to switch over to high suctions.
Stop engines and call the Master.
Sound the General Alarm and plot the ships position.
What is the two letter signal, to be used by flags, radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy, meaning “Calling All Ships”?
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 less than 200 metres.
It is more than 50 metres but less than 200 metres.
Which option best completes the following statement? An operator using ECDIS, will notice an out of position navigation buoy because:
There will be a flashing alarm on ECDIS showing which one is out.
A local port authority would send an automatic signal to ECDIS.
The radar return and ENC buoy symbol will not coincide.
It is coloured orange on an ECDIS display.
Is the location of the Compass Binnacle critical?
Yes, for the reasons stated in all of the suggested answers.
Yes, it should be sited on a non-metallic base if possible.
Yes, it should be on the fore and aft centreline of the ship.
Yes, it should be away from all electrical power cables.
When should gangway nets be rigged?
When it is deemed necessary by the Master of the Chief Officer.
Whenever the gangway is rigged.
Between sunset and sunrise.
Whenever the gangway is regarded as unsafe.
What is understood by the term “Dew point” of the air?
The temperature of the water vapour in a cloud.
The temperature at which condensation in the air forms into water droplets.
All of the suggested answers.
The “Dew point” is the point at the centre of an Anticyclone.
What would be considered the most favourable heading of a ship when launching a lifeboat?
The ship should steer about 100° of the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launched on the leeside.
The ship should steer with the prevailing weather and sea on the beam and the boat to be launch on the leeside.
The ship should steer about 30° off the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launch on the leeside.
The ship should lie stopped in the water with the weather on the opposite side to the boat to be launched.
What radar device assists in the detection and location of a survival craft?
A personal locator beacon.
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.
Two ships travelling in opposite directions are to pass each other in a narrow river, as illustrated. Explain what is likely to happen as they pass each other?
Due to interaction, the bows will attract each other as they approach, then they will repel each other alongside and as they pass clear, the sterns will be attracted.
Due to interaction, the bows will repel each other, and then when alongside each other the two ships will be sucked together and finally the sterns will be repelled as they start to pass clear.
There will be very little effect between the two ships as they pass.
As they approach, rudder should be applied quickly to avoid sheering into the path of each other. Then as they are alongside they will be attracted and finally repel each other as they pass clear.
After passage planning with ECDIS, how should the route be checked for safety?
Using the ECDIS route and geometry checker only.
Using the ECDIS route checker and by visually sighting all along it.
Transfer the ECDIS plan onto paper charts.
Investigate the displayed waypoint list after it is printed out.
Which part of the magnetic compass error changes with a change in the course steered?
All of the suggested answers.
What is happening here?
These are two vessels engaged in fishing (pair trawling), showing the additional voluntary signals for shooting nets.
These are two vessels engaged in fishing (pair trawling), showing the additional volutary signals for hauling 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.
What is the purpose of a sea anchor deployed from a lifeboat?
To hold the lifeboat in position with other survival craft.
To keep the lifeboat’s heading against the wind and sea and reduce drift.
To keep the lifeboat in a position close to the vessel.
To give a better signal to any aircraft searching for survivors.
The rudder is hard over with the engine at full ahead. Will the turning effect of the rudder be changed if the engine is stopped?
Yes, the turning force will be dramatically reduced when the engine is stopped.
No, the turning force applied by the rudder will be maintained within about 90 % of the turning force when going full ahead.
Yes, the turning force will be reduced to about 50 % of the original force when the engine is stopped.
No, the turning force is unaffected by the speed of the propeller.
The ship’s engine is going astern and the ship is piking up sternway. The rudder is amidships and the ship has a single, right-handed, fixed pitch propeller. What would be expected to happen?
The ship will probably start to change heading to starboard and stern speed will increase.
The ship will probably start to change heading to port and stern speed will increase.
The ship will move astern at an increasing speed and the stern start to swing off to starboard.
The ship will probably go straight astern without a change in heading and the stern speed will increase.
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 Pilot is fully responsible for the number and use of tugs within the port area.
It will be only the wind speed that will determine the required number of tugs and how they are used.
The Port Authority will dictate the tug requirements and their use within the port limits.
If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 100 metres, will manoeuvring and warning signals, as defined by rule 34 of the International regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, be given on one or both whistles?
They shall be given on both whistles simultaneously.
Manoeuvring signals will be given only on the forward whistle; warning signals will be given on both whistles simultaneously.
They shall first be given on the forward whistle, followed by the after whistle, with a 5 second interval in between.
They shall be given on one whistle only.
This vessel is sighted ahead and slightly to port. What is her situation? What will you do?
This is a vessel engaged in fishing vessel, with her nets fast on a obstruction. I will keep out of the way by rule 18 of the International Collision Regulations.
This vessel is aground. I will navigate with extreme caution given the nature of the hazard.
This is a vessel not under command at anchor.
This is a vessel aground. She appears to have been headed to starboard of my track and I will therefore alter course to port, passing under her stern.
Which is the “CENTRE LINE”, in the figure?
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by D, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by B, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by C, in the figure.
The Fore and aft Centreline is indicated by A, in the figure.
If a mooring winch brake tension is set to 60 tons, the setting has a safely allowance, what would be the maximum breaking load (MBL) of a wire used on the winch?
What are the additional duties required by the Officer of the Watch when navigating in fog?
Sound fog signal, effective radar watch reporting ship movements to Master and keep a good lookout for ships and fog signals.
All of the suggested answers.
Sound fog signal, plot positions and keep a good lookout.
When navigating in fog the Master will take over the watch and the Officer of the Watch should follow all of his instructions.
What is the direction of wind associated with an anticyclone (area of high pressure) in the Northern Hemisphere?
Straight towards the centre of the anticyclone.
Directly away from the centre of the anticyclone towards the nearest Low pressure.
Anticlockwise around the high pressure.
Clockwise around the high pressure.
How can the effects of Squat be minimized, when a ship is proceeding in shallow water?
Maintain a speed of about six (6) knots and use minimal rudder when manoeuvring.
Enter the shallow water with a stern trim and proceed at a moderate speed.
Maintain a slow speed just sufficient to maintain steerage.
Put a small forward trim on the vessel as this stops squat.
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 tension on both cables should be similar, to avoid one dragging and all the weight of the ship remaining on the other anchor only.
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.
If a ship in deep water requires 2 nautical miles to “crash stop”, what will be the crash stopping distance in shallow water for the same start speed?
Similar distance to deep water.
Depends on the crash stop used.
What actions should be taken by the Officer of the Watch if the ship’s steering system totally fails?
Request the engine room to check the steering system.
All of the suggested answers.
Display the NUC signal and stop the engine(s).
Call the Master and advise them of the situation.
What would be considered the most favourable heading of a ship when launching a lifeboat?
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 about 100° of the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launched on the leeside.
The ship should steer with the prevailing weather and sea on the beam and the boat to be launch on the leeside.
The ship should steer about 30° off the prevailing weather and sea with the boat to be launch on the leeside.
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.
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 stern will fall off to starboard, making the heading swing to port.
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.