Navigational Directions and Standard Wheel Orders (SMCP A2/1)

Name of students: ______________________________________________

Words you need.
1. Complete the following chart with land-based terms and nautical terms.

LAND-BASED TERMS NAUTICAL TERMS

RIGHT
BEHIND THE SHIP
ITEMS ABOVE THE WATERLINE
FRONT
LEFT
CLOSE TO THE CENTERLINE
ITEMS ON LOWER DECKS
REAR
FAR FROM THE CENTERLINE
ABAFT
BACKWARD
FORWARD

2. What do the following words mean? Match them to the correct definitions

a. Helm ___ quickly

b. Helmsman ___ movement backward and forward or from side to side
c. Steer ___ keep at a certain level, continue to follow (e.g. a course)
d. Swing ___ a wheel for steering the ship
e. Rapidly ___ the person who steers a ship
f. Hold ___ the direction the ship is moving toward
g. Heading ___ control the movement of a ship and guide in a particular direction
Navigational Directions and Standard Wheel Orders (SMCP A2/1)
Wheel/Helm Orders
3. Match the helm orders to their meaning. Write the correct helm order for each action. Then, in
pairs, practice saying the orders by repeating them.

ORDER MEANING
MIDSHIPS ____________________: 10° of port rudder to be held
PORT TEN ____________________: reduce swing as rapidly as possible
STARBOARD FIFTEEN ____________________: reduce amount of rudder to 20° and
hold
STARBOARD FIFTEEN ____________________: rudder to be held in the fore and aft
position
HARD-A-STARBOARD ____________________: avoid allowing the vessel's head to go
to starboard
MEET HER ____________________: rudder to be held fully over to
starboard
STEADY ____________________: 15° of starboard rudder to be held
EASE TO TWENTY ____________________: check the swing of the vessel's head
in a turn
STEADY AS SHE GOES ____________________: 15° of starboard rudder to be held
NOTHING TO STARBOARD ____________________: Steer a steady course on the compass
heading indicated at the time of the order.

4. TRUE OR FALSE? If the statement is incorrect, write the correct one on the space below.
A. The ship’s head, rudder, and steering wheel all turn in different ways _______
______________________________________________________________
B. The angle of turn given to the rudder is shown in degrees on the helm indicator _______
______________________________________________________________
C. All orders received by the officer of the watch are to be repeated three times _______
______________________________________________________________
D. When there is concern that the helmsman is inattentive, what should he be
questioned?:_______
______________________________________________________________
E. The direction in which the officer wants the wheel turned is said in one phrase _______
______________________________________________________________

5. What does SMCP means? _________________________________________________________

6. When the ship is steady on the course ordered, what does the helmsman is to call out?
_________________________________________________________