Seamanship Flashcards
List 4 factors to consider when selecting a safe overnight anchorage.
- Tide heights during stay.
- Swinging room
- Look for maximum protection from wind, swell and tide.
- What is the sea bed like
- How much chain will you need
- Local rules and regulations
- Check you are out of the way of other vessels
What is the formula for chain length when anchoring using chain only?
4x max depth of water
What is the formula for chain length when anchoring using chain and warp?
6x max depth of water
Why is nylon rope used for anchoring and mooring warps?
Nylon is strong and will absorb some of the shock. It also sinks and will therefore lie alongside the any chain on the seabed, reducing risk of it getting caught on the propellor if it dropped in the water.
Why does that much chain require to be used?
Sufficient chain and warp should be paid out to allow for the rise and fall of tide and to make sure the chain is pulling horizontally on the anchor. This will keep the anchor bedded in.
The length and weight of the chain also acts as a shock absorber when the boat is anchored in a swell or in sudden gusts of wind.
Give two ways a skipper could check the anchor is holding well and the vessel is not dragging.
Note and check the position on the GPS or chart plotter.
Set the anchor alarm on the GPS or chart plotter.
Monitor a transit on the beam of the vessel. If the transit opens then the yacht is moving and the holding should be checked.
Take a bearing off something on the beam of the vessel.
Monitoring the echo sounder for a change in depth may show dragging in some cases.
Use the sounder maximum and minimum alarms to let you know if the depth changes.
The height of tide could set off the depth sounder alarm so tide must be taken into consideration when setting it.
Why is it a good idea for both sides of the boat to be prepared when preparing to moor alongside a pontoon?
Fenders are necessary on both sides for many reasons:
In case the berth is tight; to be ready for any unexpected action such as the owners berth not being available; having to go into a different berth or even worse, an engine failure resulting in a emergency berthing situation.
When should VHF channel 16 be used?
Only in Mayday situations.
Where can you find the working channel for each marina?
In the almanac or pilot book.
Online.
Suggest a knot for securing to a ring or pontoon or in a wall.
A bowline is the most suitable knot to tie the boat up with and is difficult for children to undo especially if the knot is set out of reach of the shore.
A round turn and two half hitches is acceptable and can be undone under pressure.
Why is it recommended to use 4 separate lines, each attached to a cleat on the shore and the rest brought back onboard?
So they can be adjusted independently from the boat.
Why is it essential to use bow and stern springs?
Springs are essential because they stop a forward and backward motion along the quay and help prevent surging.
If the boom is carried on the starboard side what tack is the vessel on?
Port tack.
If the boom is carried on the port side what tack is the vessel on?
Starboard tack.
