Compass- Chapter 10

Question 1

What are autopilots designed to do

Answer 1

to maintain the ship’s course; track-keeping systems to maintain the ship’s track

Question 2

Is it likely that the ship will stay exact to its intended course and why

Answer 2

No
Because the compass providing input to the autopilot may have errors that have not been correctly applied, and because the ship is subject to the effects of wind and tide

Question 3

What does a track keeping system do

Answer 3

is linked to a navigational system and is able to calculate any deviation from the intended track and automatically make the necessary adjustments to the course.

Question 4

What economic purposes do autopilots serve

Answer 4

Less manning levels

Reduced fuel costs by consistently steering a course that results in less friction and a greater speed

Question 5

What is derivative (or rate) control

Answer 5

Linking the amount of helm to the rate of deviation from course
i.e more deviation requires larger application from rudder to correct

Question 6

What is integral control

Answer 6

If it becomes apparent over a period of time that the ship is constantly being pushed off its intended course more in one direction than the other, a logical reaction would be to overcome this tendency by applying a bias to the rudder application.

Basically applying a bias is there is a consistent stronger force to balance everything out

Question 7

The autopilot’s computer is pre-programmed on the basis of what

Answer 7

Design hydrodynamic characteristics of the ship

Question 8

Although allowing a ship to follow its natural yaw may be economical, it is not desirable in? And what should be instead done

Answer 8

Confined waters or heavy traffic

it is therefore possible to switch between adaptive/precision modes (may also be called open/confined waters modes). In precision mode the autopilot will behave like a conventional autopilot and steer a straight, rather than economical, course.