Communication Skills Flashcards

What is the international distress signal for ships?

Answer: Mayday

'Mayday' is the internationally recognized voice distress signal, derived from the French 'm'aider' (help me), used when a vessel faces grave and imminent danger.

What do port and starboard refer to?

Answer: Left and right sides of a vessel respectively

Port is the left side (red light) and starboard is the right side (green light) when facing the bow (front) of the vessel.

What is the purpose of a ship's logbook?

Answer: To record all navigational, weather, and operational events

The ship's log is a legal document recording navigational data, weather conditions, engine operations, and all significant events during a voyage.

What is dead reckoning in navigation?

Answer: Estimating current position based on a known past position and course/speed

Dead reckoning calculates the current position by applying known speed, time elapsed, and course steered from the last known position.

What is the purpose of running lights on a vessel?

Answer: To indicate the vessel's size, type, and direction of travel at night

Navigation lights help other vessels determine a ship's size, type, status, and direction of travel during periods of reduced visibility.

What does the term 'bearing' mean in maritime navigation?

Answer: The direction of an object relative to north or the ship's heading

A bearing is the compass direction from the observer to an object, measured in degrees from north (true or magnetic) or from the ship's heading (relative).