Professional Documents
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Q1 Briefly describe the following errors which affect the accuracy of position obtained
by GPS?
Ref: Electronic Navigation Systems, Laurie Tetley, page.28, 29 Radar and electronic
navigation by Sonnenberg page.53
The force that acts upon your compass to create error is deviation. Deviation is the
influence of the immediate environment upon your compass. Being a magnet, your
compass will be attracted to (or repelled by) iron bearing metal and other magnets
(including magnetic fields created by flowing electricity). Unlike variation, deviation is
not constant, it's different in every ship, and it's even different within the same ship,
depending on which direction she's sailing. Deviation is measured by the angular
difference between the magnetic heading and the compass heading.
After compass adjcement, the residual deviation is then obtained by swinging the ship &
is tabulated on a deviation card or presented as a deviation curve by qualified person called
the compass adjuster.
b)
Ref: Seamanship techniques 3rd edition, page 341, Magnetic compass hand book
Q4 Briefly describe what is VDR and SVDR, also explain the Audio Evidence
requirements?
A VDR is a self-enclosed monitoring device that can digitally record almost every aspect
of a ship's navigational and engine room information into a "black box" that allows review
of the procedures and instructions used in the moments before a casualty to help identify
the cause of the accident. Ship owners can outfit their vessels with a wide range of VDRs
which can record virtually every critical piece of information relevant to a ship's business
including:
• Ambient bridge conversation and VHF radio communications,
• Date, time, position ( GPS ),
Ship’s heading ( Gyro ),
• Speed ( Log ),
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• Radar picture,
marks
• Record radar and/or AIS data through ARPA overlays,
• Depth ( Echo sounder );
• Engine demand & response,
• Main alarms, fire alarms etc.,
• Watertight and fire door status,
• Rudder order & response,
• Wind speed & direction,
• Hull stresses & acceleration.
A Simplified VDR or ("SVDR") records far less information, but nevertheless must record,
"position, movement, physical status, command and control information." This
information is usually limited to AIS/GPS information coupled with bridge audio.
The VDR data drive must also be located in a brightly colored, protected capsule to ensure
that it can be retrieved post-casualty. It is usually located on the flying bridge and must
also be fitted with a device that will assist in its location post-casualty. In the event the
vessel sinks, the VDR emits a “ping” that can help accident investigators locate the wreck
and begin salvage efforts. Once recovered, it will provide the foregoing data which is then
reviewed much like the “black box” in aircraft casualties.
Ref: Seamanship techniques 3rd edition, page – 356. VDR & SVDR Guide by Sperry
marine
1. Alignment error
An alignment error can be:
An error existing between the indicated heading and the vessel’s lubber line.
An error existing between the indicated lubber line and the fore and aft line of the vessel.
Both of these errors can be accurately eliminated by critically aligning the compass with the 10
ship’s lubber line at installation. marks
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2. Transmission error marks
An error existing between the indicated heading on the master compass and the heading
produced by any remote repeater is a transmission error. Transmission errors are kept to a
minimum by the use of multispeed pulse transmission.
Good Luck