Navigation & Passage Planning Flashcards
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Which IMO convention establishes the principles for maintaining a safe navigational watch?
The International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When may a vessels bridge be manned by only one officer?
If approved by the master, sole lookout may be appropriate in daylight, good visibility, an appropriate navigational and traffic situation, and when a lookout is immediately available to be summoned to the bridge whenever the OOW deems it necessary.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
How might the status of engine room manning affect the bridge?
Many vessels operate with unmanned machinery spaces (UMS) on passage. When they do, this may increase the number of alarms that sound on the bridge, increasing the workload on the OOW. This should therefore be taken into account when considering the appropriate level of bridge manning.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Who just always be physically on the bridge when the vessel is underway?
A suitably qualified watchkeeping officer
Keeping a Safe Watch:
How might bridge manning levels change during a passage?
The master may decide to increase bridge manning levels during bad weather, poor visibility, or when the vessel is close to navigational hazards or areas of high traffic density. The bridge manning may also vary from day to night if the vessel operates with a sole lookout by day.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What is the difference between a lookout and a helm?
A lookout is focused on maintaining a good lookout, whereas a helm is focused on steering the vessel. If the lookout is asked to take the wheel, they are not considered able to maintain a good lookout, unless on a small vessel with unobstructed all around visability.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When should the OOW not commence the handover?
The OOW should not commence the handover if they are in doubt whether the relieving Watch are capable of carrying out their duties, such as through intoxication with drugs/alcohol or due to fatigue. They should also not commence the handover when a maneuver is in progress.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What should occur before the handover begins?
The relieving officer should be given time to allow their eyes to adjust and to begin to gain situational awareness. They should also review the masters standing and/or night orders.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
If the relieving officer is fatigued to the point that the OOW believes that they will not be able to safely carry out the watch, what should they do?
They should immediately call the master and not handover the watch.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What should the handover process at sea end with?
A formal and explicit exchange with of the conn.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When the master is on the bridge, who gives helm orders?
It depends on which of the officers on the bridge at the time has the conn. The presence of the master on the bridge doesn’t relieve the OOW of the responsibility to keep a safe watch until formally and explicitly relieved.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Which MGN gives guidance on the maintenance of a safe navigational watch?
MGN 315 (M) - keeping a safe navigational watch on merchant vessels.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Which part of the STCW convention relates to watchkeeping?
Chapter VIII.
Part A of the STCW code contains standards regarding watchkeeping
Part B contains guidance regarding watchkeeping
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What are the three key priorities of a safe navigational watch?
- Safety of crew/guests
- Safety of the vessel
- Protection of the marine environment
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Which of the COLREGS require the maintenance of a good lookout?
Rule 5
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What must the OOW do regarding the passage plan in order to maintain a safe navigational watch?
The OOW must execute the approved passage plan and inform the master if they need to deviate from the planned track and/or leave the planned cross-track corridor.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Is the OOW permitted to operate the engines without seeking permission from the master?
Yes. The engines must always be at the disposal of the OOW so that they can take action if necessary.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What should the OOW do if they are on the bridge with the pilot and they are in doubt as to their action or intentions?
The OOW should seek clarification from the pilot and if doubt still exists, they just notify the master immediately and take whatever action they deem necessary before the master arrives.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When and why is the pilot card used?
The pilot card is presented to the pilot by the master during the master/pilot exchange. It provides an overview of the vessels particulars, current condition and crucial maneuvering information.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
How should the bridge be manned while at anchor?
Although the STCW code does permit the master some leeway, the best practice dictates that the bridge should be manned by a suitable qualified officer at all times while at anchor.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
Which code gives guidance on the keeping a watch at anchor, in port and during cargo operations?
The STCW code
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What action should the OOW take on receiving a weather warning?
The OOW should immediately inform the master.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
How should the OOW monitor the vessels position while at anchor?
The OOW should continuously monitor the vessels position using a variety of independent means, such as radar ranges and bearing from conspicuous points and/or visual bearings/transits, in addition to GNSS/ECDIS anchor Watch functions.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When keeping a deck watch in port, what should the OOW monitor regarding the crew?
The OOW should monitor the crew and ensure that they are working safely and using appropriate PPE and that risk assessments, permits to work and toolbox talks are in place. They should also ensure that sufficient crew are onboard at all times to enable the vessel to respond to an emergency.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What action should the OOW take when they suspect that the vessel is dragging anchor?
They should immediately call the master. In the time it takes the master to come to the bridge or if they cannot be reached, the OOW should take all actions required for the safety of the vessel, such as mustering the anchor party and veering more chain and/or ordering the engine room to start main engines.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What is the alcohol limit for seafarers?
STCW mandates an alcohol limit of no greater than 0.05% blood alcohol or 0.25mg/l in breath.
The Railway & Transport Safety act 2003 adds a limit of 67mg/1000ml of urine.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What are the minimum hours of rest?
- 10 hours in 24 hour period
- 77 hours in a 7 day period
- Those hours may be divided into no more than 2 periods, one of which shall be at least 6 hours long
- The interval between consecutive periods of rest should not exceed 14 hours
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What international conventions contain the hours of rest requirements?
They were originally laid down in the IMO’s STCW and were then incorporated into the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
Keeping a Safe Watch:
The 2nd Officer arrives on the bridge for a handover looking severely fatigued. What should the officer going OOW do?
- Call the master
- Do not commence handover
- Continue to maintain a safe navigational watch
- Once on the bridge, inform the master of the situation and await their instructions
Keeping a Safe Watch:
How should hours of rest be recorded?
Each seafarer just keep a daily record of their hours of rest which just be submitted to the master and signed by both parties. The seafarer must be given a copy and the records just be kept onboard for at least one year.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
In the context of hours of rest, what is compensatory rest?
Compensatory rest must be given when a seafarer who was on call had their rest period disrupted by alarms or callouts. This is to make up for the rest time which was lost.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
When may the master suspend the hours of rest requirements?
During emergencies or overriding operational conditions, where essential work cannot be delayed for safety, security or environmental reasons or could not reasonably have been anticipated at the commencement of the voyage.
Keeping a Safe Watch:
What is the difference between tiredness and fatigue?
Tiredness is a temporary state of reduced alertness and performance due to insufficient sleep
Fatigue is more chronic and profound exhaustion that can result from prolonged exhertion or inadequate rest over a long period
Passage Planning:
What is the acronym for the four stage process of passage planning?
APEM
- Appraisal
- Planning
- Execution
- Monitoring
Passage Planning:
Which IMO Resolution relates to passage planning?
IMO Resolution A. 893(21) - Guidelines for voyage planning
Passage Planning:
Which chapter of SOLAS relates to passage planning?
Chapter V (Safety of Navigation). Of particular relevance are regulation 34 (Safe navigation and avoidance of dangerous situations), annex 24 (Voyage planning) and annex 25 (Guidelines for voyage planning)
Passage Planning:
Which stage of the APEM process involves gathering together information from all relevant sources?
Appraisal
Which stage of the process commences shortly before departure?
Execution
Passage Planning:
The rule of thumb is that we should always plan and navigate on the ____ ____
Chart available.
Largest chart
Passage Planning:
How may the SMS affect the passage plan?
The SMS will outline the company’s procedures that relate to passage planning. This is likely to include supporting documentation and company policies for things like minimum UKC, ECDIS contours, etc.
Passage Planning:
What does CATZOC stand for and what does it indicate
Category zone of confidence
Indicates the accuracy of the electronic chart data
Passage Planning:
How often are Cumulative Notice to Marina’s published?
Twice a year in January and July
Passage Planning:
What do weekly NM’s contain?
Updates for charts and publications so that they can be kept up-to-date
Passage Planning:
What does Ocean Passages for the world (NP 136) contain?
This publication shows common deep-sea voyages on major routes, with details of weather, currents, ice hazards, load line zones and distances between major ports. Individual chapters cover each of the world’s oceans, with details of the weather, climate, wind, currents, swell, seasonal factors and ice hazards.
Passage Planning:
Which volume of ALRS contains information on pilot services, vessel traffic services and port operations?
Admiralty List of Radio Signals - Volume 6
Passage Planning:
How are the sailing directions used for passage planning?
They contain vital information for passage planning on port approach and coastal navigation, including…
- navigational hazards,
- buoyage,
- pilotage,
- regulations,
- general notes on the countries port facilities, seasonal currents, ice and climate conditions.
Passage Planning:
When are the Masters preferences likely to be incorporated into the passage planning process?
The Master will express their preferences to the OOW at the beginning of the APEM process, although there may be additional comments made during the Masters review once the appraisal and planning stage have been completed
Passage Planning:
Who just give the final approval of a passage plan?
The master, once a full review has been completed.
Passage Planning:
Where does the masters review fall into the passage planning process?
At the end of the planning stage but before the execution stage commences.
Passage Planning:
How are no go areas highlighted on an electronic chart?
Most no go areas will be highlighted automatically by the safety contour, but the OOW may use user chart objects to highlight additional areas of hazard.
Passage Planning:
What will provide guidance on the companies procedures relating to the passage plan?
The safety management system
Passage Planning:
What is a commit point or an abort point?
A commit point is a point of no return after which it will be much more difficult to bring the vessel into a safe area. Prior to passing the commit point, the bridge team must have ensured that key systems are online and tested, and to agree that the cease is able to continue the approach.
Passage Planning:
Where just the passage plan start and finish?
Berth to berth so that it covers the entire passage.
Passage Planning:
A vessel has a service speed of 10 knots. The distance of the passage is 140 nm.
If the vessel was to depart at 1800, when is the ETA?
0800 the next day
Passage Planning:
When does the execution stage of the passage plan commence?
Once an accurate ETD and ETA are known or as departure time nears, if known in advance.
Passage Planning:
With regard to timings, what would be ascertained during the execution stage of APEM?
ETAs and tidal conditions for critical points of the passage plan, as well as a review of manning levels at those points.
Passage Planning:
How must the vessels progress along the passage plan be monitored?
Continuously and closely using all available means and not relying on one source of position input such as GNSS
Passage Planning:
When does the monitoring stage of the APEM process start and finish?
The monitoring stage will commence on departure and continue until the vessel has arrived at its destination
Passage Planning:
What process should be followed if the OOW feels it necessary to deviate from the planned passage?
- Inform the Master
- Draw up an amendment to the passage plan
- Seek the approval of the master for the amended plan
- Implement the amendment
Charts and Publications:
On which chart projection does a line of constant direction create a straight line?
Mercator chart
Charts and Publications:
Which chart projection is used to more easily plot a great circle?
Gnomic
Charts and Publications:
What is chart projection?
The way in which the spherical shape of the earth is projected onto a flat surface
Charts and Publications:
Distances are distorted more at higher latitudes on which type of chart?
Mercator
Charts and Publications:
Which projection is used for most charts found onboard vessels?
Mercator
Charts and Publications:
On which chart can you find mean sea surface pressure for the time of year?
Routing chart
Charts and Publications:
What’s the difference between a Routing Chart and a Mariners Routing guide?
Routing charts are used to assist with high-level route planning for ocean passages, whereas Mariners, Routing Guides provide essential routing information for busy and complex shipping routes
Charts and Publications:
What are Maritime Security Charts used for?
They aid passage planning through key areas of the world where there are significant security risks
Charts and Publications:
Why can Port Approach Guides be useful for the Master-Pilot Exchange?
They bring together key information for an entire port entry/exit and present it on one chart
Charts and Publications:
How many types of chart are produced by the UKHO?
There are five types of chart:
- Standard Nautical chart
- Port approach guide (withdrawn 20 April 2023)
- Maritime security chart
- Mariners Routing guides
- Routing Charts
Charts and Publications:
What information do routing charts contain?
They include routes and distances between major ports, ocean currents, ice limits, load lines and weather related information, such as wind roses, sea/air temperatures, frequency/intensity of storms and average air pressure
Charts and Publications:
Which electronic chart type is preferable when navigating with an ECDIS unit?
ENC
Charts and Publications:
Does a small scale chart represent more or less land/sea area?
More. A small scale chart uses a smaller scale to represent more land/sea area on a single chart
Charts and Publications:
Which scale is an ENC at scale 6?
Berthing
Charts and Publications:
What is an ECDIS called when it is used to display RNCs?
A Raster Chart Display System (RCDS)
Charts and Publications:
Which electronic chart type enables the interrogation of chart data?
ENC’s
Charts and Publications:
Which electronic chart type is a database of information which is then represented graphically to the user?
ENC’s
Charts and Publications:
Which electronic chart type can make it easier information on berth, names/numbers?
RNCs, because this information is often harder to find on ENC’s and can be laid out less clearly
Charts and Publications:
What is the abbreviation for Wreck?
Wk
Charts and Publications:
Which UKHO publication provides information about the symbols used on paper charts?
NP 5011 - Symbols and abbreviations used on Admiralty Paper Charts