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.
In the diagram, the amount of water under the keel is indicated by the letter “C”. Which bridge instrument would measure this value?
What is the two letter signal, to be used by flags, radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy, meaning “Calling All Ships”?
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?
Where can a ship expect an act of piracy to take place?
At the south end of the Red Sea.
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.
What is “AIR DRAUGHT”, in the figure?
Air draught is indicated by C, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by B, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by D, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by A, in the figure.
When navigating along a coastline what should be considered the most accurate method of navigating?
Use of radar ranges and bearings.
Passing close to navigational buoys.
Bearings of navigational shore marks such as lighthouses.
What is the purpose of a fire wire?
A wire for pulling burning ships off the pier.
A wire for pulling fire-hoses up to the top bridge.
A wire for handling fire buckets.
A wire for securing the Fire Tug alongside a burning ship.
You are proceeding up a river, with berths on both banks. You see this flag hoist on a vessel moored on a berth ahead. What does it mean?
I am about to depart the berth.
Caution! I have an anchor down.
You should proceed at slow speed when passing me.
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.
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.
The ship is sailing in shallow water with reduced Under Keel Clearance. If the ship is steaming with the engines at full RPM, what would be the speed in comparison to the speed achieved in deep water?
It would be very difficult to maintain full deep sea RPM on the engines and therefore difficult to assess the speed.
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?
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 at anchor, less than 100 metres in length.
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 restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
What is the advantages of a GPS satellite system compared to other navigational aids?
The GPS system gives information about position, speed and time continuously world wide.
The GPS system gives information about weather and wave conditions in the area.
The GPS system has a built-in group of six radio-beacons called a Decca chain.
The GPS system is based on hyperbola navigation.
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 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”.
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 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 more than 100 metres in length. She is sounding an additional warning to approaching vessels that they are “running into danger”.
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, ground stabilised.
Relative vectors, sea stabilised.
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?
How can an ARPA assist the ship to steer a suitable course to make good the entrance to a channel?
Select Relative motion display and make Own Ship vector pass through the middle of the entrance to the channel.
Acquire the buoy at the entrance to the channel and on relative vector display alter course to make the vector of the buoy pass directly through the centre of the screen.
Select True ground stabilised vectors and make the vectors from both buoys at the entrance to the channel pass either side of the centre of the screen.
Select ground stabilised true motion display and alter course so that own ships true vector passes through the middle of the entrance to the channel.
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.
Which method is used to make a physical connection between a rescue vessel and a wreck?
Which approved publication should be used by a seafarer to help overcome any misunderstanding in communications?
Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary.
The Oxford Concise Dictionary.
The (ISC) Bridge Procedures Guide.
The (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) booklet.
If the radar is set onto the Relative Motion Display, what would an echo of a target with no trail indicate? Note this the trail of the echo and not a vector.
The target is stopped and making no way through the water.
The target is on the same course and speed as own ship.
The target is on a constant bearing and getting closer to own ship.
The target is on a collision course with own ship.
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.
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.
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.
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 following the standard company Induction procedures for a bridge watchkeeping officer.
By using the equipment on regular watchkeeping duties.
The certificate of competency will ensure the officer has suitable competence in operating the bridge equipment.
By asking other officers and practicing with the use of the equipment.
What is the purpose of a sea anchor?
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.
To keep the lifeboat steady against the sea/wind.
If a DSC distress alert is received on board your ship, what is the first action that should be taken?
Immediately answer the distress message on the correct radio frequency.
Contact SAR Authorities via nearest coast Radio station.
Listen for a distress message on the appropriate radio frequency for five minutes.
Determine how close your vessel is to the distressed vessel.
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 to overtake from the Port Control VTS.
The overtaking vessel can overtake but must allow sufficient space to reduce the interaction between the two vessels.
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.
There should be no overtaking in these confined waters.
What actions should the Officer of the Watch take when the ship’s steering gear fails?
Call the Master and advise him of the situation.
Display the NUC signal and consider stopping the engines.
All of the suggested answers.
Request the engine room to check the steering gear.
What, by definition in the International Collision Regulations, is a “vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre”?
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 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 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 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.
What is understood by the term “Dew point” of the air?
All of the suggested answers.
The “Dew Point” is the point at the centre of an Anticyclone.
The temperature of the water vapour in a cloud.
The temperature at which water vapour in the air forms into water droplets.
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.
Transverse Thrust will reduce the swing and therefore a kick ahead is necessary with full starboard helm applied.
The only effective method is by using the bow thruster to push the bow to starboard.
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.
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 picking up his pilot.
That the vessel is altering his course to starboard.
That the vessel is starting his engine and resuming his passage.
That the vessel is operating astern propulsion.
You are on a tug and are towing an unmanned barge. You are restricted in your ability to manoeuvre. The total length of the tow is 219 metres. What daylight signals are required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea?
A diamond shape, where it can best be seen shall be displayed on the tug and the tow. Three shapes shall also be displayed in a vertical line, the upper and lower being balls and the middle one a diamond. Diamond shape.
A diamond shape, where it can best be seen, on the tug only. Three shapes shall also be displayed, being three balls in a vertical line.
Three shapes shall be displayed forward on the tug, in a vertical line, the upper and lower being balls and the middle one a diamond.
Three shapes shall be displayed on the tug, where they can best be seen, in a vertical line, the upper and lower being balls and the middle one a cylinder. The signal flag “T” shall also be flown on the tug. A diamond shall be displayed aft on the tow.
What is correct UTC in this example? Approx. Pos: N49° 51′ W35° 23′, zone +2, Local Time 0900.
What sound signal can be made when nearing a bend in a river, with the view around the bend obscured by an intervening obstruction?
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.
Which part of the magnetic compass error changes with a change in the course steered?
All of the suggested answers.
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.
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 and distance from a navigational Buoy.
Compass bearings of three shore objects.
Bearing using the Radio Direction Finding of three radio beacons.
What are the main components causing the magnetic compass to require a regular evaluation and compass correction?
The change in the position of the magnetic pole causing annual changes in the variation.
The continual changes of courses steered by the ship.
Permanent and induced magnetism in the ships structure.
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 is another vessel nearby, but that she is at anchor.
That there are two more vessels nearby.
That there is another vessel in the vicinity and that she has just altered course to port.
According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions and the illustrated lights, what type of vessel is this and from what direction is it viewed?
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. Looking at its port side.
This is a vessel engaged in pilotage duties at anchor. Looking at its port side.
This is a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling, making way through the water, with outlying gear extending more than 150 metres in the direction of the all-round red light. Looking at it from astern.
What does this signal hoist mean?
I require medical assistance.
Do you require assistance?
I require immediate assistance.
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.
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?
Put the engine full astern and keep the rudder amidships.
The use of the rudder hard over both sides combined with reducing engine power, a method known as “high frequency rudder cycling”.
Make a complete turn while reducing the engine power.
Make a zig zag manoeuvre while reducing the engine power.
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.
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?
The error should be “High” or “Low” and therefore more information is required.
Add the 5° to the bearings.
Subtract 5° to the bearings.
The same error applies to all bearings and therefore it can be ignored.
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 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 radar device assists in the detection and location of a survival craft?
A personal locator beacon.
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.
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.
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 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.
A ship where the amount of positive transverse stability (GM) will vary with the direction of the ship’s head.
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 and keep a good lookout.
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, maintain the watch and determine how the ship is drifting and the probable position after 3 hours.
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.
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.
How can an ARPA assist the ship to steer a suitable course to make good the entrance to a channel?
Acquire the buoy at the entrance to the channel and on relative vector display alter course to make the vector of the buoy pass directly through the centre of the screen.
Select True ground stabilised vectors and make the vectors from both buoys at the entrance to the channel pass either side of the centre of the screen.
Select ground stabilised true motion display and alter course so that own ships true vector passes through the middle of the entrance to the channel.
Select Relative motion display and make Own Ship vector pass through the middle of the entrance to the channel.
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 assistance of your vessel is no longer required.
The casualty is sighted and will require medical assistance.
The aircraft is short on fuel and is returning to base.
The aircraft is directing a vessel towards the casualty.
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 signal may be given by sound and by light to indicate that a vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of another vessel, or is in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision?
Five prolonged blasts (flashes).
Five short and rapid blasts (flashes).
One prolonged blast (flash), followed by five or more short and rapid blasts (flashes).
Three short and rapid blasts (flashes).
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.
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 letter is represented by this flag and what is it’s meaning when displayed by a vessel in port?
P – All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
S – I am operating astern propulsion.
W – All persons should report onboard as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
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.
According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions and the illustrated lights, what type of vessel is it?
This vessel is not under command and stopped in the water.
This is a vessel constrained by her draft.
This vessel is not under command, but is making way through the water.
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.
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.
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.
What is “AIR DRAUGHT”, in the figure?
Air draught is indicated by A, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by D, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by C, in the figure.
Air draught is indicated by B, in the figure.
The Master has decided to “single up” to a spring line at each end as the last lines to let go whilst unmooring. Which of the following methods should be used to hold the lines, whilst waiting for the order to “let go”?
The eye of the lines should be put on the bitts, fig. 2.
The line should be turned up on the bitts, fig. 1.
The line should be held on a stopper ready for immediate release, fig. 4.
The line should be kept on the warping drum of a deck winch, fig. 3.
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.
Ships vary considerably in design and underwater shape, but does the ship’s trim ever have any influence on its steering abilities?
Yes, a ship often steers better if trimmed by the bow.
Yes, the ship often steers better if trimmed by the stern.
No, the ship will have the same steering ability and is unaffected by trim.
No, it is usually best to be on an even keel and have no trim at all.
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 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 correct understanding of the term “Block Coefficient” as applied to a ship?
The coefficient of a Block and Tackle.
The ratio of the waterplane shape of the ship to a rectangle of the same extreme dimensions.
The comparisons of the underwater shape of the ship, to a rectangular block of the same extreme dimensions.
The restriction of a valve in a pipe to the flow of fluid through that pipe.
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.