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Navigation & Watchstanding Flashcards

7 cards from real AB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Navigation & Watchstanding flashcards as text

  1. A vessel displaying a black ball forward during daylight hours is indicating that she is:

    Answer: At anchor

    COLREGS Rule 30 requires a vessel at anchor to display one black ball in the forward part of the vessel during daylight hours.

  2. What is the meaning of the term 'deviation' as used in compass adjustment?

    Answer: The error of the magnetic compass caused by the ship's own magnetic fields

    Deviation is the error in a magnetic compass caused by the vessel's own iron, steel, and electrical equipment — it changes with the ship's heading.

  3. During a watch handover, which information is essential to pass to the relieving officer?

    Answer: Course, speed, position, traffic situation, weather, and any outstanding orders

    A proper watch handover must include course, speed, position, traffic in the area, weather, visibility, standing orders, and any abnormal conditions or tasks in progress.

  4. Under COLREGS Rule 9, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length navigating in a narrow channel shall:

    Answer: Not impede the passage of a vessel that can only safely navigate within the channel

    Rule 9 requires small vessels (under 20 m) and sailing vessels not to impede the passage of vessels that can only safely navigate within a narrow channel.

  5. When a helmsman is steering by gyrocompass and the order 'meet her' is given, the helmsman should:

    Answer: Apply opposite rudder to check the vessel's swing and steady on the new heading

    'Meet her' means apply counter-rudder to stop the swing so the vessel steadies on or near the intended heading without overshooting.

  6. A light that is described in the Light List as 'Fl(2) 10s 15m 12M' means the light:

    Answer: Flashes twice every 10 seconds, is 15 meters above water, and is visible 12 nautical miles

    Light List notation: Fl(2) = group flashing 2 times; 10s = period of 10 seconds; 15m = elevation above MHWS in meters; 12M = nominal range in nautical miles.

  7. When a vessel is described as making 'leeway,' it means the vessel is:

    Answer: Being pushed sideways downwind from her intended course by wind pressure

    Leeway is the lateral drift of a vessel downwind from her intended course, caused by wind acting on the hull and superstructure above water.