CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY IN THE MERCHANT NAVY –

DECK OFFICER

EXAMINATIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE

SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
ON BEHALF OF THE
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY

STCW 78 (as amended) OFFICER IN CHARGE OF NAVIGATIONAL WATCH REG. II/1

(UNLIMITED)

034-83 – NAVIGATION

TUESDAY, 3 JUNE 2014

0915 – 1145 hrs

Examination paper inserts:

Chart 5140
Datasheet Q1
Worksheet Q2

Notes for the guidance of candidates:

1. Candidates should note that 100 marks are allocated to this paper. To pass candidates must
achieve 60% of the total marks available. In addition, candidates must achieve a minimum of
70% from Section A.

2. Non-programmable calculators may be used.

3. All formulae used must be stated and the method of working and all intermediate steps must be
made clear in the answer.

Materials to be supplied by examination centres:

Candidate’s examination workbook Nautical Almanac
Navigation Formulae Datasheet UK and Ireland Tide Tables (Edition Sept 2011)
Nautical Tables Pacific and Atlantic Oceans Tide Tables (Edition
[OVERSept 2011)
NAVIGATION

Attempt ALL questions

Marks for each question are shown in brackets

The positions given in brackets after the names of prominent points are approximate to 1' and are
to be used for identification purposes only.

Section A

1. At 1800 hrs, 22nd September, a ship observes the following compass bearings:

The Brothers light (41°06'S 174°26'E) bearing 025°G

Tory Channel light (41°13'S 174°19'E) bearing 318°G
Rununder Point light (41°18'S 174°14'E) bearing 239°G

(a) State EACH of the following:

(i) the position of the ship; (10)

(ii) the error of the gyro. (2)

(b) Using Datasheet Q1, state the charted predicted tidal stream and the neap rate at the
ship’s 1800 hrs position. (3)

(c) The ship is to make good a course to waypoint 41°51'.6S 175°13'.9E.

Ship speed 14.0 knots.
A S’ly breeze causing 3° leeway.

Find EACH of the following using the tidal stream found in Q1(b):

(i) the gyro course to steer; (7)

(ii) the ETA at the waypoint. (3)

Note: Assume tidal stream and leeway remain constant throughout.

[OVER
2. A ship is to proceed outward bound from the port of Vancouver, Canada and must pass
beneath power cables.

Charted height of bridge 15.9 metres. (Assume charted height measured from HAT).

Air draught of ship 15.4 metres.

Calculations consider the maximum height of tide for the ship to safely pass beneath the
power cables is 3.2 metres.

(a) Calculate the clearance under the power cables at the recommended maximum height
of tide. (5)

(b) The ship will be ready to sail at 0830 hrs, Standard Time, 20th March, but may be
delayed due to immigration clearance.

Find EACH of the following, using the recommended height of tide:

(i) the earliest time that the ship can pass under the power cables; (5)

(ii) the latest time that the ship can pass under the power cables on that tide. (5)
Section B

3. (a) A passage plan should aim to establish the most favourable route while maintaining
appropriate margins of safety and safe passing distances offshore.

State SEVEN factors that should be taken into account when deciding on an
appropriate ocean passage route. (14)

(b) Outline the information contained in EACH of the following publications which
would be used in the appraisal of an ocean passage:

(i) Admiralty Ocean Passages for the World; (3)

(ii) Routeing Charts. (4)

4. At 1600 hrs, ship’s time, 30th April, a ship bound from the Suez Canal, Egypt
(29°58'N 32°33'E) to Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia (34°22'S 115°09'E) is in position
02°59'S 66°40'E. The ship is keeping ship’s time consistent with Zone Time.

Due to a serious eye injury sustained by a crew member the Master diverts the ship to
Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipelago 07°19'S 72°28'E and increases to the maximum ship
speed of 14.5 knots.

Find EACH of the following:

(a) the rhumb line course and distance to Diego Garcia; (10)

(b) the ETA, to the nearest hour, Standard Time, at Diego Garcia. (5)

5. With reference to the Bridge Procedures Guide and MGN 315, Keeping A Safe
Navigational Watch on Merchant Ships:

(a) list ELEVEN of the identified requirements of a navigating officer performing a

navigational watch; (11)

(b) state the THREE conditions that the OOW shall ensure before handing over the
navigational watch; (3)

(c) state the TWO circumstances that the OOW shall not hand over the watch; (2)

(d) list EIGHT factors that the relieving OOW should personally satisfy themselves when
taking over the navigational watch. (8)