Ship Handling Flashcards

When berthing a large vessel in a crosswind, which mooring line should be secured first to prevent the vessel from being blown off the dock?

Answer: The headline or bow line

Securing the headline first anchors the bow, allowing the stern to be worked in with engines and lines while preventing the entire vessel from being blown off.

What is 'list' and how does it differ from 'loll'?

Answer: List is caused by off-center weight; loll is caused by negative initial stability

List results from uneven transverse weight distribution while loll occurs when a vessel with negative GM seeks an angle of equilibrium due to the form stability of the hull.

When conducting a Williamson Turn to return to a man-overboard position, the vessel:

Answer: Turns 60 degrees, then reverses helm and returns on reciprocal course

The Williamson Turn involves an initial 60-degree turn, then hard rudder in the opposite direction until the vessel is on the reciprocal of the original course, passing through the MOB position.

A vessel with a large amount of 'windage' (high freeboard, containers on deck) will:

Answer: Be more susceptible to wind effect and require more compensation

High windage increases the wind force on the hull and superstructure, causing significant leeway that must be compensated with helm and engine maneuvering.

When a vessel must pass under a bridge with limited vertical clearance, the officer of the watch should consider which factor most carefully?

Answer: The vessel's air draft relative to the bridge clearance at that state of tide

Air draft (height of the highest fixed point above the waterline) must be calculated against bridge clearance at the current tide level to ensure safe passage.

During a 'Mediterranean moor,' a vessel is typically secured:

Answer: With stern to the dock and anchors deployed forward

A Mediterranean moor places the vessel stern-to the dock with the anchor(s) deployed ahead to hold the bow off, common in harbors with limited quay space.

What is the recommended action when a vessel experiences sudden loss of steering in a congested waterway?

Answer: Sound the danger signal, reduce speed, and use engines to steer if possible

Sounding the danger signal warns other vessels, reducing speed minimizes collision energy, and differential engine thrust may provide directional control while the fault is investigated.