NAVIGATION 2ND YEAR

EXAM TOPICS

I. Give an appropriate answer to each question:

1. How do people communicate with each other?

2. Why is communication important?
3. How is onboard communication carried out?
4. How do seafarers communicate with other vessels or coast stations?
5. Why must communication at sea be effective?
6. What does maritime communication comprise?
7. How can vessels and coast-stations communicate?
8. Which frequency categories are used in radio telephony?
9. What is the purpose of GMDSS?
10. How many systems does GMDSS consist of?
11. What does the terrestrial system comprise?
12. What does the satellite system comprise?
13. What does a Distress alert indicate and how is it referred to?
14. What does an Urgency message indicate and how is it referred to?
15. What does a Safety message refer to?
16. What does a GMDSS vessel stand for?
17. Which vessels are regarded as Non-GMDSS vessels?
18. What is the difference between GMDSS and Non-GMDSS vessels?
19. Why is it important to share a common vocabulary on board ship?
20. What do you understand by Standard Marine Communication Phrases?
21. What type of information do you think these phrases cover?
22. Do you think that a proper command of these phrases will reduce the
risk of maritime accidents? Why?
23. What is the difference between Repeat and Say again in VHF
communication?
24. What does Stand by! imply in VHF- communication?
25. When is a received mayday transmitted?
26. When is a supplementary received mayday transmitted?
27. When must a Mayday Relay be transmitted?
28. Who transmits a Silence Fini message?

II. What do the following abbreviations stand for?

A) GMDSS……………………………………………………………………………..
B) DSC…………………………………………………………………………………
C) VHF………………………………………………………………………………...
 D) MF………………………………………………………………………………….
E) HF…………………………………………………………………………………..
F) SOLAS……………………………………………………………………………..
G) EPIRB……………………………………………………………………………..
H) SART …………………………………………………………………………….
I) STAREC……………………………………………………………………………
J) SAR …………………………………………………………………………………
K) DPT…………………………………………………………………………………
L) SMCP…………………………………………………………………………
M) RTF…………………………………………………………………………………
N) NAVTEX……………………………………………...............................................
O) ETD………………………………………………………………………………….
P) ETA………………………………………………………………………………….
Q) VTS …………………………………………………………………………………..
R) OOW………………………………………………………………………………….
S) OSC …………………………………………………………………………………..
T) CPA ………………………………………………………………………………….
U) IMO ………………………………………………………………………………….
V) MMSI ………………………………………………………………………………..
W) MRCC ……………………………………………………………………………….
X) UTC ………………………………………………………………………………….

III. Rewrite these sentences into the Seaspeak format:

a) Large vessel leaving. Keep clear of the approach channel.

………………………………………………………………………………….

b) At what time do you expect to arrive at the harbour entrance?

………………………………………………………………………………….

c) I will attempt rescue by Breeches-buoy.

………………………………………………………………………………….

d) You did say your length was two hundred metres, didn’t you?

…………………………………………………………………………………

e) It would be better for you to pass ahead of me as I am slowing down.

…………………………………………………………………………………

f) I’m afraid that shore based radar assistance is not available.

………………………………………………………………………………….
g) Ok. Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep a look out for wreckage.

………………………………………………………………………………….

IV. Transform the following sentences into SMCPs:

1) Fire cannot be extinguished by the vessel’s own equipment.

2) Six crewmembers have been injured.
3) Three crewmembers were killed.
4) Vessel has had a collision with an unknown object.
5) Vessel is adrift.
6) Vessel is being attacked by pirates.
7) No damage has been caused to the ship and the vessel will continue her voyage.
8) Someone has fallen overboard.
9) Vessel asks for medical assistance.
10) Vessel asks for helicopter with doctor.
11) Message from RCC: helicopter is airborne and on its way.
12) The helicopter is going to use a rescue sling.
13) Fire has been detected in no. 3 hold. The smoke is poisonous.
14) Water is entering the ship below the waterline.
15) Vessel is heeling over 20 degrees to port side; deck cargo will be put overboard.
16) Vessel is unable to continue her voyage. Tug assistance is needed.
17) The crew are leaving vessel after the vessel has had a collision.
18) Vessel is damaged below waterline, but she is able to continue her voyage without
assistance.
19) SRU Vendor will be the on-scene coordinator.
20) Vendor displays an orange flag and two red vertical lights.
21) SRU is underway to distress position to render assistance. Her position is 60 degr. 29
min. S/ 030 degr. 53 min. E., her course is 135 degrees, her speed is 12 knots. ETA
within 1 hour.
22) Request all ships to assist with search for missing person and report any result to On-
scene Coordinator.
23) Weather in distress position: wind SW 3; visibility is moderate; the sea is smooth;
current 2.5 knots to SW.
24) End of SAR operations. The search for missing person is stopped; no one was found
25) Vessel is unmanoeuvrable due to problems with main engine.
26) Other traffic in the vicinity is asked to keep clear.
27) Vessel is losing dangerous substance (IMO – class 6).
28) There is immediate risk of pollution.
29) We are performing dangerous operation is posn. 69 degr. 29 min. N / 042 degr. 53 min.
E. Traffic is requested to keep distance from us.
30) Visibility is reduced due to fog.

V. Match the terms on the left to their definitions on the right, then
give the Romanian equivalent for each of them and provide contexts of
use:

shackle throw goods overboard

.1 Length of chain
cable measuring 15
fathoms

hoist ropes, nets, and any other means for handling general
cargoes
list the height from the waterline to the highest point of the
vessel
derelict final pumping of tank’s residues
stripping to run a vessel up on a beach to prevent its sinking in deep
water

hatchrails a vessel which has been destroyed, sunk or abandoned at sea

air draft the plane of reference to which all data as to the depth on
charts are referenced
bob-cat Shift of wind direction in an anticlockwise manner, for
example from north to west (opposite of veering)

blind sector a vessel still afloat, abandoned at sea

beach (to) a cable used by helicopters for lifting or lowering persons in
a pick-up operation
backing (of wind) length of chain cable measuring 15 fathoms
adrift ropes supported by stanchions around an open hatch to
prevent persons from falling into a hold
datum A mini-caterpillar with push-blade used for the careful
distribution of loose goods in cargo holds of bulk carriers
jettison The place assigned to a vessel when anchored or lying
alongside a pier, etc.
slings To regulate motion of a cable, rope or wire when it is
running out too fast
berth A vessel severely restricted by her draught in her ability
to deviate from the course followed in relation to the
available depth and width of navigable water
check (to) uuncontrolled movement at sea under the influence of
current, tide or wind
wreck one hundred fathoms or one tenth of a nautical mile
(Vessel) constrained by An area which cannot be scanned by the ship’s radar because
her draft it is shielded by parts of the superstructure, masts, etc.
cable inclination of the vessel to starboard side or portside
damage control team A vessel damaged or impaired in such a manner as to be
incapable of proceeding on its voyage
foul (of anchor) Depth in water at which a vessel floats
disabled anchor has its own cable twisted around it or has fouled an
obstruction
dragging (of anchor) A group of crew members trained for fighting flooding in the
vessel
draft moving of an anchor over the sea bottom involuntarily
because it is no longer preventing the movement of the
vessel

VI. Fill in the blanks with one suitable word:

1. I will .................cargo to stop listing.

2. MV Christina ..........tug assistance.
3. Keep ..........lookout and report to the Master.
4. They are ............... radar search.
5. What is the result of the search? The result of search is positive. ......vessel in
position 018 degr.21 min. N, 23 degr. 12 min. S.
6. I will proceed to pick up the survivors. .............. lifeboats.
7. In smooth water and when sailing straight ahead the ship is usually at ...... keel.
8. …….ground is reported in the anchorage.
9. By ..... draft is understood the distance from the water line to the highest point of
the vessel.
10. Please check the ..........gear before commencing cargo operations.
11. The surface of the cargo is constantly made equal by special pumps in ……
circumstances.
12. The pilot will ……. the ship that has requested pilotage.
13. The pilot …….is waiting for the incoming vessel.
14. M V Ulysses ………sail last week.
15. During the voyage they met with ……..swell.
16. Sailing in …….waters requires avoiding crossing vessels.
17. The ship was deviated from the course by the …….currents.
18. The master asked the bosun to ……..the chain.
19. The shore …..are prepared to load the ship.
20. Five minutes ago we received a gale …….. .

VII. Correct the following VTS standard phrases by supplying the required word:

a) Dangerous mine adrift.

b) Large berth required.
c) Hindered vessel in position 12 degr, 34 min. N / 014 degr. 23 min E.
d) What is your present track?
e) Have you swapped course?
f) You must rise anchor.
g) You are allowed to anchor at 1530 hrs UTC.
h) Large vessel is leaving the fairway- stand clear of the fairway approach
i) Your course is deviating from the radar reference lane.
VIII. Distress, urgency and safety messages.