QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

Chart no: 3945

* Describe the contents of Admiralty Chart Catalogue.

It is published by the hydrographer of navy every year. It

consist of 37 sections and 10 parts,which gives the date of
publication,date of current edition,coverage area of
publication,diagrammatic index of coverage and titles of
various charts and publications.
Some of the important contents:
1. General information
2. List of admiralty charts and agents
3. Numerical list of charts and publications
4. Limits of chart index
5. Limits of small scale chart
6. List of chain details of decca-loran chats
7. Wall and outline charts
8. Routeing charts
9. Fisheries charts
10. List of admiralty sailing directions

Parts:
1. Introduction.
2. Digital nautical products.
 3. Nautical charts.
4. Thematic charts.
5. List of navigational publications.
6. Related admiralty publications.
7. Foreign hydrographic offices.
8. Advertisers.
9. Numerical index. .

* State the importance of visual position fixing method in

coastal navigation.
Ans: There are many methods of getting fix position of the ship.
Some of them are celestial fix by sextant,radar fix,GPS fix,visual
fix,parallel indexing etc. Among them visual fixing method is
more reliable and accurate than any other method. One of the
element of passage planning is to identify the primary position
fixing method. At open sea GPS fix is the primary method but
when there is visual object, visual fix is the main and primary
method of positing fixing.
- If two or more visual objects are visible,the position of the
ship can easily be found out. After laying out the bearing of
objects,where they intersects is the fix position of the ship. This
also can be done by horizontal sextant angle between the
objects. A position circle can be drawn by knowing the
subtended horizontal angle. The intersects point of two of such
position line gives the fix position of the ship.
- If only one visible object is available, the position of the ship
can be found out by knowing the bearing and distance of the
object,also by parallel indexing. This also can be done by
vertical sextant angle method. Applying the bearing by compass
and distance by sextant horizontal angle the position of the
ship can be fixed easily.
Both methods discussed above are more accurate and reliable
than GPS position fix. GPS and DGPS doesn’t work on the basis
of 100% accuracy. Both GPS and DGPS work on the basis of
WGS-84,but some of the charts are drawn not on the basis of
WGS-84. In such case the method discussed above,if performed
well gives the exact position of the ship. During coastal
navigation knowing ship’s exact position is the first priority and
this accurate and most reliable position fixing can be done by
visual fix method.

Chart no: 3946

* Outline the factors to be taken into consideration while
navigating through TSS.
Ans: Precautions to take while navigating through TSS;
1. Vessel shall proceed along with master’s order/plan.
2. Vessel shall have the contingency plan for any kind of
emergency.
3. Vessel shall follow the general direction of traffic flow.
4. Vessel shall normally join and leave at termination. If need to
join from either side,vessel shall join with as small as angle to
the general direction of traffic flow.
5. If need to cross, vessel shall cross by right angle to the
general direction of traffic flow.
6. Vessel shall keep clear of separation zone and inshore
separation line.
7. Vessel shall not navigate through inshore traffic zone.
8. Prior to start sailing all available navigational aids and their
accuracy to be checked.
9. All VTS reporting area to be marked properly.
10. Special care must be taken while passing danger or near
shallow water area.
11. Vessel shall always keep the radar in operation.
12. Echo sounder to be switched on where necessary.
13. Vessel’s position to be checked by both visual and
electronic position fixing method.
14. Vessel’s position to be fixed at regular intervals.
15. Error of magnetic and gyro compass to be checked.

* List the factors which causes difference of tidal predictions.

Ans:
Meteorological effect on tide: Meteorological conditions, which
differ from the average will cause corresponding differences
between the predicted and actual tides, particularly in high
water and low water heights.Variations in heights are mainly
caused by strong or prolonged winds and or extreme variations
in atmospheric pressure.
Storm surge: During storm such as TRS the combined effects of
surface wind stress and atmospheric pressure fluctuation caused
the tide to rise above predicted height.
Tsunami: Because of tsunami effect, MSL rises and causes the
actual height of tide to rise above predicted height.
Atmospheric pressure: A sudden change of atmospheric
pressure causes the tide to rise and fall above and below to
predicted tide.
Astronomical effect:

Chart no: 3947

* According to Bridge Procedure Guide
1. State the factors to be taken into consideration when
passing through a safety fairway.
Ans: Factors to be taken into consideration while passing
through safety fairway;
1. Vessel shall proceed along with Master’s order or plan.
2. Vessel shall have contingency plan for any kind of
emergency.
3. Prior to start vessel must check it’s all navigational aids
whether they are operating accurately or not.
4. Vessel shall marked the reporting area appropriately and
report where necessary.
5. Vessel shall keep the radar in operation through the time of
passage.
6. Echo sounder to be switched on where necessary.
7. Vessel shall keep the proper lookout,if needed extra
lookout to be carried out.
8. Vessel shall proceed along a course keeping the outer limit
of the fairway on her starboard as near as safe and
practicable.
 9. Vessel shall proceed through the safe available depth of
water in relation to her draft.
10. If need to do overtaking, overtaking operation shall be
done with the permission/reply of overtaken vessel.
11. In general vessel shall not cross the fairway but if need to
do so such crossing shall not impede the passage of other
vessel.

2. State the factors to be taken into consideration when

navigating in fog.
Ans: Factors to be taken into consideration when navigating in
fog;
1. Vessel shall proceed along with Master’s order.
2. Vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adopted to the
prevailing circumstances and conditions.
3. Vessel shall keep sharp lookout and extra lookout to be
carried out at the forward of the vessel and where necessary.
4. All navigational aids to be checked whether they are
operating accurately.
5. Radar shall be kept switched on through out the time.
6. Special measures shall be taken for the small vessel those
are not conspicuous radar object,
7. All the sound signaling apparatus should be checked and
kept ready for immediate use.

* With reference to rule no 10 of COLREG describe the

followings
1. Two other circumstances when a vessel may enter the
separation zone.
Ans: A. vessel may enter into separation zone in case of
emergency to avoid immediate danger. B. Vessel may enter
into separation zone to engage in fishing within separation
zone.

2. Two methods to determine if the charted TSS is adopted by

International Maritime Organization.
3. Which vessel may use inshore traffic zone.
Ans: A. Vessel of less than 20m in length,sailing vessel and
vessel engaged in fishing may use inshore traffic zone. B. A
vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from
a port,offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any
other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid
immediate danger.

4. Two prescribed circumstances when a ship is exempted from

complying with the COLREG with regards to TSS.
Ans:
A. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged
in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation.
B. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged
in an operation for the laying,servicing or picking up of a
submarine cable.

Chart no: 4040

* Discuss the importance of sextant in costal navigation.
Ans: The sextant is an instrument used to measure angles.
Mainly used at sea,the tools is so named because its arc is one-
sixth of a circle-60 degrees. Sextant is an essential tool for for
celestial navigation and is used to measure the angle between
horizon and visible object. Apart from celestial observation
sextant is also used in coastal navigation to measure horizontal
angle between objects and also to measure the vertical angle of
the object.

Use of horizontal sextant angle: Another accurate method of

fixing a vessel's position is by means of observing horizontal
angles subtended by shore objects at the observer.When the
horizontal angle subtended between two terrestrial objects is
known, a circle of position can be obtained, which is drawn on
the chart. The intersection of this circle of position with
another similar position circle or a position line, will fix the
position of the ship.

Use of vertical sextant angle: Another method of finding the

ship's position, is by means of taking a bearing of a light house
or any terrestrial object and obtaining the distance off that
object by means of a vertical sextant angle.Ship's position can
also be found by taking vertical sextant angles of two or more
suitable objects; which in turn will give you the distance the
vessel is off those objects. In other words each observation will
give a position circle and where. the two position circles cut
each other will be the position of the ship.The vertical sextant
angle also proves very useful to a navigator. when a ship has to
pass a certain safe distance off (say 2 miles off) a light house or
an off lying danger.
Formula to find distance off object;
 Height of object(m)
Distance= 1.854
Sextant angle(in minutes)

* Discuss the importance of Ocean Passage for the World and

Admiralty Sailing Direction in passage planning.

Chart no: 4041

* Since the importance of source data diagram available in the
admiralty chart. How shall you asses the reliance of different
position of navigational chart.
Ans: We can asses the reliance of admiralty charts by observing
the source data diagram. From source data diagram we can see
that the chart is divided into many portions like a,b,c,d,e,f etc
and each portion is compiled with the survey data which was
conducted in the mentioned year. We can see that the different
portion of the chart is surveyed under different government
surveys. If we have any doubt about the information of any
portion, we can take the government survey of that portion as
reference and verify the reliability.

Other source data:

1. Local navigational warnings
2. Port authorities
3. Pilots for local knowledge
4. Ship’s echo sounder
5. Weekly notices (T & P)
6. Annual summary of notices to mariners

* Content of
1. ALL
Published in 12 regional volume.
Correction is done by WNM.
Contents:
1. Details of light
2. Light structure
3. Light vessel
4. LANBY(large automatic navigational buoy)
5. Explanation of lights
6. Characteristics of lights
7. Geographical range table
8. Luminous range table
9. Oil and gas production installation
10. Light buoy

2. ATT
It has 8 volumes.
201 1 United Kingdom and Ireland( including European
channel ports)
202 2 North Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Region
203 3 Indian Ocean
204 4 South pacific Ocean
205 5 South China Sea and Indonesia
206 6 North Pacific Ocean
207 7 South West Atlantic Ocean and South America
208 8 South East Atlantic Ocean,West Africa and
Mediterranean

3. Admiralty chart 5500- Mariners Routeing Guide-English

channel and Southern North sea
Contents:
1. Passage planning
2. Routeing
3. Passage planning of special class of vessel such as
tankers,ship’s carrying dangerous goods, deep draught vessel
and those bound for Europort
4. Oil and dangerous cargo
5. Radio reporting system
6. Radio reporting procedure to a port of destination
7. Maritime radio services
8. Maritime beacon services
9. Tidal information
10. Pilotage service

Chart no: 5055/2451

*Describe how you will know that the chart you are using is
up to date.
Ans: There are 2 methods to know whether the given chart is
updated or not.
Method 1: First I will go to the website of UKHO and select
“view update by chart number”. I will Insert the chart number
in the box and it will provide a list of corrections applied to the
chart since the release of its latest edition.
Method 2: Another method is to scan the QR code printed on
the chart by phone. After scanning it will directly take me to the
relevant page. This method is applicable only for modern charts
because very old charts may not have the QR code. After
getting the update list I will compare the NM(notices to
mariner) numbers with those written at the bottom of the
chart. If the chart has been corrected by hand, some of them
will be hand writing otherwise will be printed. If there is no
number missing, the chart is up to date. If there are one or
more number missing from the chart those need to be
corrected to make the chart up to date

Old set questions

Chart no:4041
* Details of rule-10 of COLREG(TSS).
* State the specific condition when OOW may act as sole look-
out. State the factors to be taken into consideration prior to
the OOW becoming sole look-out. Outline the guidance on
how the OOW may fully engage the look-out attention.
Ans: Under STCW code,the OOW may,in certain circumstances
when the Master has determined that it is safe to do so, be the
sole lookout at daylight.

Factors to be taken into consideration prior to become sole

lookout: Condition of physical and mental health is the key
issue for an OOW to become sole lookout,the other factors are;
1. Weather conditions
2. Visibility
3. Traffic density
4. Proximity of dangers to navigation
5. Attention necessary when navigating in or near traffic
separation scheme
6. Defects affecting navigational aids,propulsion and steering
7. Procedure to call for back up assistance

Chart no:3945
*State the precautions while passing TSS.
Ans: Precautions to take while navigating through TSS;
1.Vessel shall proceed along with master’s order/plan.
2.Vessel shall have the contingency plan for any kind of
emergency.
3.Vessel shall follow the general direction of traffic flow.
4.Vessel shall normally join and leave at termination. If need to
join from either side,vessel shall join with as small as angle to
the general direction of traffic flow.
5.If need to cross, vessel shall cross by right angle to the
general direction of traffic flow.
6.Vessel shall keep clear of separation zone and inshore
separation line.
7.Vessel shall not navigate through inshore traffic zone.
8.Prior to start sailing all available navigational aids and their
accuracy to be checked.
9.All VTS reporting area to be marked properly.
10.Special care must be taken while passing danger or near
shallow water area.
11.Vessel shall always keep the radar in operation.
12.Echo sounder to be switched on where necessary.
13.Vessel’s position to be checked by both visual and electronic
position fixing method.
14.Vessel’s position to be fixed at regular intervals.
15.Error of magnetic and gyro compass to be checked.

* Outline the cautions in BA chart-3945.

Chart no:3946
* Describe the reliability of tidal prediction contained in the
ATT. Give the reason for discrepancies between predicted and
actual tidal height.
Ans:
Meteorological effect on tide: Meteorological conditions, which
differ from the average will cause corresponding differences
between the predicted and actual tides, particularly in high
water and low water heights.Variations in heights are mainly
caused by strong or prolonged winds and or extreme variations
in atmospheric pressure.
Storm surge: During storm such as TRS the combined effects of
surface wind stress and atmospheric pressure fluctuation caused
the tide to rise above predicted height.
Tsunami: Because of tsunami effect, MSL rises and causes the
actual height of tide to rise above predicted height.
Atmospheric pressure: A sudden change of atmospheric
pressure causes the tide to rise and fall above and below to
predicted tide.
Astronomical effect:
* Outline the cautions enumerated in BA chart-3946

Some common questions:

* State the four stages of passage planning.
Ans:
There are for stages of passage planning. They are
appraisal,planning,execution,monitoring.

1. Appraisal: In this stage, the Master of the ship discuss with

the chief navigating officer(usually the second mate), as to how
he intends to sail to the destination port. This is the process of
gathering all information relevant to the proposed
passage,including ascertaining risk and assessing its critical
areas. This involves information extracted from publications as
well as those within the chart. The appraisal will include details
from:
A. Chart catalogue
B. Charts
 C. Ocean Passage of The World
D. Routeing Charts
E. Admiralty Sailing Directions
F. Admiralty List of Lights and Fog Signal
G. Admiralty List of Radio Signals
H. Tide Tables
I. Tidal Stream Atlas
J. Notices to Mariners
K. Admiralty Distance Tables
L. ships routeing
M. Navigational Warnings
N. Mariner’s Handbook
O. Load Line Chart
P. Draft of Ship
Q. Owners and other sources
R. Personal Experience

Taking into consideration Master’s guidelines,company

guidelines,ship’s cargo,marine environment and all other
factors that may affect the ship, the navigating officer draws
upon a general track,which the ship shall follow

2. Planning:The second stage of passage planning is known as

planning. Having made a full appraisal using all information at
hand pertaining to the passage,the OOW,under the authority of
the Master is to prepare a detailed plan for the passage. In this
stage the intended course of the ship are actually laid out on
the charts of suitable scale and all additional information is
marked. The plan is laid out from pier to pier,including the
pilotage waters. It is a good practice to mark dangerous areas
such as nearby wrecks,shallow water,reefs,small
islands,emergency anchorage positions and any other
information that might aid safe navigation. In addition to above
mentioned things it is advisable to layout the rate of turn for
waypoints and laying out of PI ranges for suitable objects if any.
Reporting areas should also be clearly marked on the charts,
elements of the planning phase include:
A. No go areas
B. Margin of safety
C. Charted tracks
D. Course alrerations and wheel ober
points
E. Parallel indexing
F. Aborts and contingencies
G. Clearing line and bearings
H. Leading lines
I. Tides and current
J. Change in engine status
K. Minimum UKC
L. Use of Echo sounder
M. Head mark
N. Natural transit
3. Execution: In this stage the navigating officers execute the
plan that has been prepared. After departure the speed es
adjusted based on the ETA and the expected weather and
oceanographic conditions. The speed should be adjusted such
that the ship is not either too early or late at its port of
destination. The Master should find out how long his intended
voyage is,accounting for water and fuel available. Also to be
taken into account are any expected weather changes along
the way. In case and ECDIS being used,appropriate limits must
be set with regard to the safety settings.

4.Monitoring: The fourth and final stage of passage planning is

monitoring. Monitoring is that aspect which takes into account
checking of the position of the vessel,such that it remains
within the safe distance from any danger areas. Parallel
indexing can be used to maintain safe distance alongside any
hazards to navigation. A safe and successful voyage can only be
achieved by close and continuous monitoring of the ship’s
progress along the pre-planned tracks. Situations may arise
wherein the navigating officer might feel it prudent to deviate
from the plan. In such case he/she shall inform the Master and
take any action the he may deem necessary for the safety of
the ship and its crew. This stage is very important wherein all
the deck officers contribute their part to execute the plan. This
calls for personal judgement, good seamanship and experience.
* State the levels from which the charted drying heights and
all other heights are measured.(symbol and abbreviation)
* State the meaning of Nominal range, Luminous range,
Geographical range.
Ans:
Geographical range: Geographical range of a light is the
maximum distance at which the the light is visible determined
by the elevation of light and height of eye as affected by the
curvature of the earth. Geographical range is more if the height
of eye is more and vice-versa.

Nominal range: Nominal range of light if luminous range of

light when meteorological visibility is 10NM. This the range
given on charts but charts printed before 1972 geographical
range is given.

Luminous range: Luminous range of light is the range of light is

determined by luminous intensity( candle power) and the
meteorological visibility prevailing at that time. Elevation of
light and height of eye is ignored.

Visual range: Visual range of light is the actual range of light

due prevailing condition of visibility of the area between light
and the observer.

* Outline the factors to be taken into consideration in

planning of a landfall.
Ans:
1. Fix ship’s position and keep up to date
2. Ship to be proceed as per Master’s order/plan
3. Prior to start check all navigational aids are working
accurately.
4. Radar to be kept switched on
5. Echo sounder to be switched on where necessary
6. Identify lights,lighthouse and coastline
7. Use raising distance to improve accuracy
8. Call Master in accordance with instructions
9. If land is seen early,call Master immediately
10. Adjust ship’s course appropriately

* Factors to be taken into consideration while planning a

passage.
Ans:
1. Adequacy and reliability of navigational aids
2. Adequacy and reliability of charts and hydrographic data
3. Availability of appropriate scale charts for
ocean,coastal,harbour and berths
4. Guides to port entry
5. List of lights
6. Local area warnings
7. NAVAREA navigational warnings
8. Notices to mariners
9. Planning charts
10. List of radio signals
11. Routeing and load line charts
12. Sailing direction and pilot books
13. Tide tables and tidal stream atlas
14. Anchoring locations
15. Bunker calculation
16. Load line requirements
17. Log book requirements
18. Routeing and reporting measures
19. Safety contour
20. Safety depth
21. Squat effect
22. Strength and stability
23. Emission control area
24. MARPOL special areas
25. Abnormal waves,currents and tides
26. Swell,heavy weather and TRS
27. Ice,visibility
28. Winds and weather routeing
29. Contingency plans

* Precautions when transiting area of offshore installation.

* Checklist/precaution for vessel navigating in heavy weather.
Ans:
1. Inform Master,engine room and all crew about the weather
2. Rig safety lines or hand ropes where necessary
3. Adjust vessel’s course and speed to as necessary to avoid
worst of motion
4. Manoeuvre the ship in such to minimize the risk of broaching
and synchronous rolling
5. Monitor weather reports carefully
6. Secure all opening/hatches of weather deck
7. Secure anchor and winch properly
8. Secure cargo as appropriate
9. Secure all loose and movable objects on deck,in engine
room,in galley and in storeroom
10. Close all ports and deadlights
11. Make weather report to appropriate authorities

If only checklist ,this is the ans;

Checklist when navigating in heavy weather;
1. Have the Master,crew and engine room been informed
about the weather condition?
2. Have all movable objects been secured on deck,below deck
and particularly in engine room,galley and storerooms?
3. Have course and speed been adjusted(according to Master’s
order) to minimize the adverse effect of heavy weather?
4. Has the crew been warned to avoid upper deck areas made
dangerous by the weather?
5. Have safety lines/hand ropes been rigged when necessary?
6. Have all cargo lashing been checked,secured & tightened?
7. Has ballast been adjusted to reduce free surface effect and
to keep draft,trim & stability conditions adequate?
8. Have anchor stowage,lashing and stoppers of anchor and
chain been inspected?
9. Are two power units for steering gear ready to be used?
10. Have all openings such as watertight
doors,vents,ports,chain pipes,sounding pipes etc all been
closed securely?
11. Have instructions been used on transmitting weather
reports to appropriate authority or in the case of tropical
storms,danger message in accordance with SOLAS 1974 chapter
5 regulation 2(a)?
12. Have the ship’s accommodation,all ports and deadlights
been secured and closed properly?

* cautions while navigating in coastal water

Ans:
1. Chart with appropriate scale and plotted route must be
available
2. A proper lookout must be maintained and if needed extra
lookout to be carried out
3. ECDIS terminal to be set up correctly for navigation in coastal
waters with plotted route
4. Echo sounder should be switched on
5. Engine should be kept ready for immediate use
6. Manual steering should be checked and kept ready for use
7. Accuracy of all navigational aids should be checked
8. Error of compass should be checked
9. Measure should be taken to comply with environmental
requirements and applicable pollution regulation
10. Ship security procedure should be followed
11. Ship’s position should be fixed by both the visual and
electronic position fixing method
12. Care must be taken for the proximity of shallow water and
squat effect
13. Ship must follow all reporting requirements
14. Care must be taken to the density of traffic
15. Effect of weather and current should be checked and
understood.

Question of ECDIS

* What is the difference between base display and standard

display, alarm and indication.
Ans:
Base display;
1. Coast line
2. Own ship safety contour
3. Indication of isolated under water dangers of depths less
than the safety contour which lie within the safe waters
defined by the safety contour
4. Indication of isolated dangers which lie within the safe water
defined by the safety contour such as bridges,overhead wires
etc and including buoys and beacons whether are not these
being used as aid to navigation
5. Scale,range and north arrow
6. Units of depth and height
7. Display mode

Standard display;
1. Display base
2. Drying line
3. Buoys ,beacons,other aids to navigation and fixed structures
4. Boundaries of fairways,channels etc
5. Visual and radar conspicuous objects
6. Prohibited and restricted areas
7. Chart scale boundaries
8. Indication of cautionary notes
9. Ship’s routeing system and ferry routes
10. Archipelagic sea lane`

Alarm: Alarm shall be activated at following occasion,but not

limited to
1. Crossing own ship safety contour
2. Deviating from planned route
3. Exceeding cross track limit
4. Malfunction in position fixing system
5. Using different geodetic system
6. Malfunction of ECDIS
7. Reaching at critical point
8. Crossing wheel over position
9. CPA/TCPA alarm

Indications: Indicator shall be activated at following

occasion,but not limited to
1. Crossing boundary of a prohibited area
2. Exceeding scale range than that contained in the ENC
3. Using different reference system
4. Planned route crossing ship’s safety contour
5. Availability of larger scale ENC
6. Non availability of ENC
7. Failure in system test

* What are the limitations of ECDIS?

Ans:
1. Lack of Global coverage
2. Problem of Geodetic datum shift in unapproved charts
3. Problem of recurring cost
4. Being electronic equipment if power failure ECDIS becomes
useless
5. Failure of GPS and gyro makes the system useless
6. No software for anti-viruses