VTS Core Nautical Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the significance of a vessel being 'constrained by her draft' (CBD)?
- The vessel is carrying hazardous cargo
- The vessel's ability to maneuver is severely restricted due to available water depth relative to her draft (Correct answer)
- The vessel is required to use a pilot
- The vessel cannot exceed a certain speed
Correct answer: The vessel's ability to maneuver is severely restricted due to available water depth relative to her draft
A vessel constrained by draft is one whose ability to deviate from her course is severely restricted due to her draft in relation to the available depth of water, giving her special privileges under COLREGS.
Question 2: What is a 'fairway' in the context of VTS and port navigation?
- A weather-protected anchorage area
- The navigable channel or safe passage route for vessels (Correct answer)
- A designated area for vessel overtaking
- The approach lane to a pilot boarding ground
Correct answer: The navigable channel or safe passage route for vessels
A fairway is the navigable part of a waterway, harbor, or channel that is kept clear and maintained for safe vessel passage.
Question 3: What does AIS stand for, and what is its primary function in VTS?
- Automated Information System; manages port cargo data
- Automatic Identification System; transmits vessel identity, position, and voyage data (Correct answer)
- Advanced Imaging Sonar; detects underwater obstacles
- Anchorage and Inspection Service; coordinates vessel boarding
Correct answer: Automatic Identification System; transmits vessel identity, position, and voyage data
AIS is the Automatic Identification System, a transponder-based system that automatically transmits vessel identity, position, course, speed, and other data to VTS and nearby vessels.
Question 4: A vessel's 'displacement' refers to what measurement?
- The vessel's cargo capacity in metric tons
- The weight of water displaced by the vessel's hull, equal to the vessel's total weight (Correct answer)
- The distance the vessel moves in one engine revolution
- The vessel's maximum speed at full load
Correct answer: The weight of water displaced by the vessel's hull, equal to the vessel's total weight
Displacement is the weight of water displaced by a floating vessel, which by Archimedes' principle equals the total weight of the vessel.
Question 5: In a VTS context, what action should an operator take upon identifying a potential close-quarters situation between two vessels?
- Wait until the vessels are 0.5 nm apart before broadcasting
- Immediately inform both vessels of the situation and provide relevant traffic information (Correct answer)
- Contact the larger vessel only to issue a navigational warning
- Alert port authority and suspend all vessel movements
Correct answer: Immediately inform both vessels of the situation and provide relevant traffic information
A VTS operator should promptly inform all relevant vessels of the close-quarters situation, providing traffic information such as positions and courses to help masters make safe decisions.
Question 6: What is the meaning of the term 'outbound traffic' in a VTS area?
- Vessels that have exceeded their permitted speed
- Vessels departing the port or moving seaward through the VTS area (Correct answer)
- Vessels awaiting berth assignment
- Vessels broadcasting distress signals
Correct answer: Vessels departing the port or moving seaward through the VTS area
Outbound traffic refers to vessels that are leaving the port or harbor and moving toward open water through the VTS jurisdiction area.
Question 7: What does the term 'safe speed' mean under COLREGS Rule 6?
- A speed not exceeding 10 knots in any conditions
- A speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and stop within an appropriate distance (Correct answer)
- The maximum speed posted in a traffic separation scheme
- A speed agreed upon by both vessels in a meeting situation
Correct answer: A speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and stop within an appropriate distance
COLREGS Rule 6 requires every vessel to proceed at a safe speed appropriate to the prevailing conditions so that effective action can be taken to avoid collision and the vessel can be stopped within an appropriate distance.
VTS Core Nautical Knowledge 5
What is the significance of a vessel being 'constrained by her draft' (CBD)?