The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 209
What is the probable cause of an error in position of the ship obtained from the GPS system?
A three dimensional instead of a two dimensional position output.
Abnormal sun spot activity causing unusual radiation effects.
Incorrect height of the antenna.
All of the suggested answers.
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 from side to side in a “Rudder Cycling” movement.
The rudder should be put Hard to Port to reduce the water flow to the left side of the propeller.
The rudder can be put to Hard to Port to reduce the water from to the right side of the propeller.
The rudder should be kept amidships when going astern and there is little that can be done to reduce the swing to starboard.
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 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.
In a canal without water flow, if a vessel was approaching a bank at an angle, what would be the probable effect on it?
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 attracted by the bank.
The vessel’s bow is pushed away from the bank.
The vessel’s stern is pushed away from the bank.
Which option best completes the following statement? An operator using ECDIS, will notice an out of position navigation buoy because:
A local port authority would send an automatic signal to ECDIS.
It is coloured orange on an ECDIS display.
The radar return and ENC buoy symbol will not coincide.
There will be a flashing alarm on ECDIS showing which one is out.
What radar device assists in the detection and location of a survival craft?
A personal locator beacon.
What is the direction of wind associated with an anticyclone (area of high pressure) in the Northern Hemisphere?
Clockwise around the high pressure.
Directly away from the centre of the anticyclone towards the nearest Low pressure.
Straight towards the centre of the anticyclone.
Anticlockwise around the high pressure.
What is the two letter signal, to be used by flags, radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy, meaning “Calling All Ships”?
A ship is being overtaken by another ship while proceeding along a river. What should be the required procedure?
The overtaking vessel should request permission from the other ship by sounding two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts on the whistle or by direct VHF contact.
The overtaking vessel can overtake but must allow sufficient space to reduce the interaction between the two vessels.
The overtaking vessel should request permission to overtake from the Port Control VTS.
There should be no overtaking in these confined waters.
In the diagram, the amount of water under the keel is indicated by the letter “C”. Which bridge instrument would measure this value?
Which of the answers best summarises the information which should be provided for the bridge Officer of the Watch within an effective Voyage plan?
Contingency arrangements in case of problems.
Expected prevailing wind and weather.
Courses to steer; distance off dangers; parallel index lines; expected currents; prevailing winds; distance between alteration points.
All of the suggested answers.
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 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.
This vessel is aground. I will navigate with extreme caution given the nature of the hazard.
What is the advantages of a GPS satellite system compared to other navigational aids?
The GPS system has a built-in group of six radio-beacons called a Decca chain.
The GPS system gives information about weather and wave conditions in the area.
The GPS system is based on hyperbola navigation.
The GPS system gives information about position, speed and time continuously world wide.
What is important to check when transferring a position from the GPS receiver to a paper chart?
Ensure that the chart has been corrected up to date.
The chart datum is correct for the area the vessel is located.
That the chart datum is also WGS84 or there are corrections.
That it is a “2D” fix and the antenna height is set correctly.
Can the OOW be the sole lookout?
When the visibility is good and the ship is in the middle of the ocean where there is very little shipping.
Never should the Officer of the Watch be the only lookout.
During daylight when visibility and traffic allows.
Only if the ARPA radar is set onto Auto Acquisition with an audio alarm sounding when a ship is detected.
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.
Contingency arrangements in case of problems.
Courses to steer; distance off dangers; parallel index lines; expected currents; prevailing winds; distance between alteration points.
Expected prevailing wind and weather.
Why should Ground Stabilised True Motion display mode be avoided when using the ARPA for anti-collision purposes?
The Relative Motion display and relative vectors is the only display to use for anti-collision purposes.
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
The collision regulations are based on ship courses through the water.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of other ships.
A ship normally turns (swings) around a point which is not the centre of gravity. What is this point normally called?
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.
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?
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.
They shall be given on both whistles simultaneously.
What is the correct understanding of the term “Isobar”?
An “Isobar” is the line showing the direction of the predicted path of a hurricane.
An “Isobar” is a line joining places of equal temperature.
An “Isobar” is the line of the cold front in a frontal depression.
An “Isobar” is a line joining places of equal pressure.
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.
Once a ship (equipped with self-stowing auto-tension winches) is moored alongside a loading or discharging berth, how is it recommended that the winches are set?
The “spring” winches be left in the auto-tension mode and all other winches with the manual brake on.
The “breastline” and “headline” winches be left in the auto-tension mode and spring winches with manual brake on.
All winches to be left with the manual brake on and out of gear.
All mooring winches be left in “auto-tension” mode.
When should a ship’s officer use some of the English language found in the IMO’s publication “Standard Marine Communication Phrases”?
When talking on the VHF between ships of differing flag states.
When giving orders to a multi-national bridge team.
In circumstances described in all of the answers provided.
When talking between ship and shore in a foreign land.
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?
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.
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.
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 call the Master.
Stop engines and tell the engine room to switch over to high suctions.
Sound the General Alarm and plot the ships position.
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 lie stopped in the water with the weather on the opposite side to the boat to be launched.
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 with the prevailing weather and sea on the beam and the boat to be launch on the leeside.
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 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.
Can anything be done on a vessel with forward speed, to reduce the change in heading caused by a right hand fixed pitch propeller being put astern?
Yes, the rudder can be put to port.
No, 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 can be cycled from side to side.
The rudder should be put hard to starboard to reduce the water flow to the left side of the propeller.
What is the purpose of a sea anchor?
To adjust the drifting speed of the lifeboat.
To keep the lifeboat steady against the sea/wind.
To keep the lifeboat in a position close to the vessel.
To give a better signals to any aircraft searching for survivors.
Why should Ground Stabilised True Motion display mode be avoided when using the ARPA for anti-collision purposes?
The true vector can never give an indication of collision risk with another ship.
The collision regulations are based on ship courses through the water.
The Relative Motion display and relative vectors is the only display to use for anti-collision purposes.
True motion does not provide the collision risk of other ships.
When plotting a position, where should the Officer of the Watch select as the ships position, when three gyro compass bearings intercept as a triangle (Cocked Hat) and not as a single point?
At the point nearest to the danger, if any.
At the point furthest away from any danger.
At the point nearest the course line drawn on the chart.
At the centre of the triangle.
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?
Fluctuations in the electrical supply to the compass.
An uncorrected course and speed error.
What corrections must be applied to the echo sounder reading to compare the depth of water with the depth printed on the chart?
The distance between the pulse Transmitter and Receiver.
Allowance for the ships speed.
When the temperature of the air increases with height it is known as a “Temperature Inversion” and may influence the performance of some instruments on the ship. What should the bridge Officer of the Watch be prepared to happen?
The GPS may give errors of position because of interference of incoming signals from the satellites.
The radar will be show abnormal sea clutter as the pulse is trapped by the inversion.
Abnormal ranges of VHF RT and Second Trace Returns on the radar.
The bearings obtained from the Directional Finder (DF) will not be as accurate as normal.
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?
No reduction in strength.
A reduction in strength of 1 % to 5 %.
A reduction in strength of 30 % to 40 %.
A reduction in strength of 10 % to 15 %.
What does this signal flag indicate when seen on a vessel in a port approach?
Keep clear. I have divers down.
I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
I require medical assistance.
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?
Depends on the crash stop used.
Similar distance to deep water.
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.
What special equipment can often provide assistance in locating a survival craft or man overboard and in the water?
A sectored search pattern.
You are on a power-driven vessel underway in open water. You sight these lights on the port bow, on a steady bearing. The distance is closing. What are you looking at and what action will you take in compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.
This is a power-driven vessel, more than 50 metres in length or less than 50 metres in length and showing a second masthead light, restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. The sidelight of a second vessel can be seen beyond her. Under rule 18, I am obliged to keep clear of the first vessel and will therefore take appropriate avoiding action.
This is a power-driven vessel engaged in towing, less than 50 metres in length, length of tow under 200 metres and the tow, both being restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, seen from the starboard side. Under rule 18, I am required to keep clear and will take appropriate avoiding action.
This is a power-driven vessel engaged in towing, more than 50 metres in length or less than 50 metres in length and showing a second masthead light, length of tow 200 metres or more, not under command. I will keep clear under rule 27.
The ship’s rudder is full over when the ship’s engines are full ahead. Will the turning effect (lift force) of the rudder be changed when the engine is stopped?
No, the lift force is unaffected by the speed of the propeller.
Yes, the lift force will be dramatically reduced when the engines are stopped.
Yes, the lift or turning force will be reduced to about 50 % of the original lift force when the engines are stopped.
No, the turning force applied by the rudder will be maintained within about 90 % of the lift force when going full ahead.
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 red light. I am seeing her from astern.
This is a vessel engaged in pilotage duties at anchor. 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 white light. I am looking at her port side.
This is a vessel engaged in pilotage operations, deploying or recovering a pilot. I am looking at her port side.
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 about 1/6 of the ship’s length from the bow.
At a position near the stern of the ship.
At about 1/6 of the ship’s length from the stern.
Is the location of a vessel’s standard compass binnacle critical?
Yes, it should be away from major electrical power cables.
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.
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.
A DR updated position from the last reliable one.
Radar ranges of three distinctive shore objects.
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.
What action should the Officer of the Watch (OOW) take if he is forced to make a major deviation from the voyage plan?
There is no special action necessary.
Make an appropriate entry in the Log Book.
Check that the deviation will not lead into danger.
If your vessel is fitted with wires on self-stowing “split drum” winches, the advantage of having these split drum winches is:
Increased brake holding capacity due to the ability to keep the paid out wire in a single layer on the drum.
Less chance of the wire being jammed in the reel.
All the listed alternatives.
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.
By applying the rudder hard over to starboard and going ahead on the engines.
Astern on the engines will allow Transverse Thrust to continue the swing.
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 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?
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.
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.
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.
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 is unaffected by the speed of the propeller.
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.
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.
After passage planning with ECDIS, how should the route be checked for safety?
Investigate the displayed waypoint list after it is printed out.
Transfer the ECDIS plan onto paper charts.
Using the ECDIS route checker and by visually sighting all along it.
Using the ECDIS route and geometry checker only.
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 full astern on the engines until ship has stopped and then full ahead on the engines with rudder hard over.
Give half astern on the engines as this will increase the rate of turn.
Visual signals are used by aircraft in search and rescue operations to direct ships towards a casualty. The signals shown here are part of a sequence. What does it indicate?
The aircraft is directing a vessel towards the casualty.
The aircraft is short on fuel and is returning to base.
The assistance of your vessel is no longer required.
The casualty is sighted and will require medical assistance.
A tug is moving towards the bow of the ship to make fast and is in the vicinity of the ship’s shoulder, as illustrated. What specific danger should be considered when making this approach to the bow?
The positive pressure field at the ships bow may repel the tug and make the connection very difficult to establish.
All of the alternative answers.
The stern of the tug may be sucked in towards the bow and also suffer a reduction in the positive GM, making it very unstable.
The tug may be turned across the bow of the ship and also suffer a lose of stability with a danger of being turned over if touched by the ship.
The ship is to berth alongside a quay in calm conditions of no wind or current. The ship has a signle 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.
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 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 vessel’s bow is attracted by the bank.
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.
Strong winds but with very little rain.
Persistent rain and very humid weather.
How will the ship behave if it experiences a complete loss of power (blackout) in the situation illustrated?
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.
The vessel will gradually swing to port and the speed will slowly reduce.
Which type of vessel suffers from the greatest squat effects?
Vessel with a low Block Coefficient.
Vessel with a high Block Coefficient.
Vessel with a small length to beam ratio.
Vessel with a large length to beam ratio.
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?
Make a zig zag manoeuvre while reducing the engine power.
Make a complete turn while reducing the engine power.
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.
In the figure, which letter gives the correct understanding of the term “LENGTH OVERALL”?
Length Overall is indicated by C, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by D, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by B, in the figure.
Length Overall is indicated by A, in the figure.
When navigating using the GPS, how does the GPS display indicate when the accuracy of the displayed position is reduced?
A large “Correction Factor” number is displayed on the screen.
The GPS display is always very accurate and does not give any indication of lack of accuracy.
A large HDOP value is displayed on the screen.
The GPS display flashes and sounds an alarm.
If a ship requires 2 nautical miles to stop in the water from a “crash stop” when proceeding at full ahead in deep water. What will the stopping distance be in shallow water?
Similar distance to deep water.
About 1,5 nautical miles.
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 depth of an iceberg below the surface is always about one sixth of its total depth.
The draught of an iceberg is about the same as the visible part of the iceberg above the water.
The draught of an iceberg is normally about 3/4 of its total depth.
What is the correct understanding of the term “a ship with good Directional Stability”?
A ship which when the rudder is left amidships, it will continue on approximately a straight course.
A ship where the amount of positive transverse stability (GM) will vary with the direction of the ship’s head.
A ship which when a rudder angle is applied and the ship starts to swing, will continue to swing even after the rudder is returned to amidships.
A ship which will maintain its course unless large rudder angles are applied.
What actions should the Officer of the Watch take when the ship’s steering gear fails?
Display the NUC signal and consider stopping the engines.
Request the engine room to check the steering gear.
All of the suggested answers.
Call the Master and advise him of the situation.
What is the depth of an iceberg below the surface of the sea?
The draught of an iceberg is normally about 3/4 of its total depth.
The draught of an iceberg varies with the type of berg and its age.
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.
You are proceeding along a narrow channel in front of another vessel, both heading for port. You hear this signal from the vessel behind you. What does it mean?
I am faster than you. Get out of the way.
I intend to overtake you on your port side.
I am operating astern propulsion.
I intend to overtake you on your starboard side.
Which of the four figures illustrated shows the correct position line for the following situation: Latitude 50° 00′ N, Longitude 30° 00′ W, Time 1200 GMT. Course steered: 090° True, Speed: 12 knots, bearing of the sun: 200°, Intercept correction: 00° 02′ Towards (observed altitude – computed altitude).
When making a new pilot ladder onboard the ship, which of the following ropes would be best suited as the side ropes on which the steps are fastened?
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 narrow beam.
A short ship with a wide beam.
A long ship with a wide beam.
Who is ultimately responsible for approving 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.
Why should a Ground Stabilised True Motion radar display not be used for anti-collision purposes?
True motion does not provide the collision risk of targets as only true vectors are available.
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.
Because this display is only ever used for navigation.
What can be used to reduce the effect of the state of sea-water?
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?
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.
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.
I will keep out of her way. I am the overtaking vessel and am obliged to keep clear under rule 13.