1. Write North to Northwest anti-clockwise with nomenclature and degrees.

Answer:
• North (N) – 000°
• North-Northwest (NNW) – 337.5°
• Northwest (NW) – 315°

Explanation:
The compass is divided into 360°. Each cardinal and intercardinal point is separated by 22.5°. Anti-clockwise from North: N →
NNW → NW.

2. Write South to Southwest clockwise with nomenclature and degrees.

Answer:
• South (S) – 180°
• South-Southwest (SSW) – 202.5°
• Southwest (SW) – 225°

Explanation:
Moving clockwise on the compass rose from South: S → SSW → SW.

3. Name cardinal points and inter-cardinal points.

Answer:
• Cardinal Points: North (N), East (E), South (S), West (W)
• Inter-cardinal Points: Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), Northwest (NW)

Explanation:
Cardinal points are the primary four directions; inter-cardinal are in between.

4. What do you mean by “Compasses compared”, “Course checked”, “Error verified”?

Answer:
• Compasses compared: Comparing gyro and magnetic compass readings.
• Course checked: Verifying the ship is steering the intended course.
• Error verified: Determining compass error using celestial or terrestrial bearings.

Explanation:
These phrases are standard log entries used during routine navigational checks.
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5. If you are not able to find compass error, what do you write in the logbook?

Answer:
“Compass error not determined” or “Unable to obtain compass error due to lack of reference.”

Explanation:
When landmarks or celestial objects are not visible, error can’t be calculated.

6. What is the purpose of the azimuth mirror?

Answer:
To take bearings of celestial bodies or terrestrial objects to determine compass error.

Explanation:
It is mounted on a compass and used for accurate alignment with observed objects.

7. What is the unit of pressure?

Answer:
The standard unit is millibar (mb) or hectopascal (hPa).

Explanation:
1 mb = 1 hPa. Both are used in meteorology for atmospheric pressure.

8. What is height correction in aneroid barometer?

Answer:
Adjustment made to barometer readings for altitude above sea level.

Explanation:
Atmospheric pressure decreases with height, so readings must be corrected to sea level.

9. What is index error of the aneroid barometer?

Answer:
The difference between the actual pressure and the instrument’s reading due to calibration error.
Explanation:
Like with sextants, it is a correction factor applied to get true readings.

10. Is there any correction for temperature in aneroid barometer?

Answer:
Yes, though often negligible, temperature affects the metal diaphragm’s elasticity, requiring a minor correction.

Explanation:
Modern barometers often self-compensate, but extreme conditions may still need manual correction.

11. What is the reference pointer on an aneroid barometer?

Answer:
It is a manually adjustable marker used to track changes in pressure over time.

Explanation:
The pointer is set to the current pressure reading, and future readings are compared against it to detect pressure trends.

12. Aneroid barometer reading: 1012.5 mb, height correction: 5 mb, index error (-0.5 mb). Find barometer pressure to log
down.

Answer:
Barometric pressure = 1012.5 + 5 - 0.5 = 1017.0 mb

Explanation:
Add the height correction and subtract index error to get the corrected pressure to log.

13. What is an isobar?

Answer:
An isobar is a line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.

Explanation:
They help visualize pressure systems and gradients for weather forecasting.

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14. What is barometric tendency?

Answer:
It is the trend or rate of change in atmospheric pressure over a given time, usually the past 3 hours.

Explanation:
Indicates whether the weather is improving (rising pressure) or worsening (falling pressure).

15. Physical reading of aneroid barometer

Answer:
It is the uncorrected pressure reading observed directly from the barometer dial.

Explanation:
This raw reading must be adjusted using index and height corrections before logging.

16. What is the difference between a hygrometer and a hydrometer?

Answer:
• Hygrometer: Measures humidity in the air.
• Hydrometer: Measures density/specific gravity of liquids.

Explanation:
Their names are similar, but they are used for very different measurements.

17. What do you get from a whirling psychrometer?

Answer:
Wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures, which help determine relative humidity and dew point.

Explanation:
Evaporation from the wet bulb cools it, and the temperature difference gives moisture content.

18. How to get relative humidity & dew point by whirling psychrometer?

Answer:
1. Note dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures.
 2. Use psychrometric tables or charts to find:
• Relative humidity
• Dew point temperature

Explanation:
The larger the difference, the lower the humidity. Charts are standard tools onboard.

19. What is relative humidity and dew point?

Answer:
• Relative Humidity: Percentage of moisture in the air compared to what it can hold at that temperature.
• Dew Point: Temperature at which air becomes saturated and condensation starts.

Explanation:
Both are key indicators of atmospheric moisture and weather conditions.

20. Wet bulb temp = 25°C, dry bulb temp = 30°C. What is dew point temp?

Answer:
Using a psychrometric chart, Dew Point ≈ 23°C (approximate, varies slightly with pressure).

Explanation:
Use the temperature difference to find dew point on standard psychrometric charts.
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21. Wet bulb temp = 25°C, dry bulb temp = 30°C. What is relative humidity?

Answer:
Using a psychrometric chart or table, Relative Humidity ≈ 60–65%.

Explanation:
The difference of 5°C between dry and wet bulbs indicates moderate humidity.

22. What information can you get from a barograph chart?

Answer:
• Continuous pressure trend over time
• Detection of weather changes
• Forecast of storms or fair weather
Explanation:
A barograph records atmospheric pressure variations on a chart (barogram), useful for weather analysis.

23. What is a barogram?

Answer:
A graphical recording of atmospheric pressure over time, produced by a barograph.

Explanation:
Shows pressure changes using a time-pressure curve.

24. Does a barograph work on the principle of an aneroid barometer?

Answer:
Yes.

Explanation:
It uses the same principle of a flexible metal capsule (aneroid cell) expanding/contracting with pressure changes, but records
it continuously on paper.

25. Barograph chart – X axis, Y axis: What variables are indicated?

Answer:
• X-axis: Time (in hours/days)
• Y-axis: Atmospheric Pressure (in mb or hPa)

Explanation:
The chart shows how pressure changes over time.

26. From where do you get ship position on the barograph chart?

Answer:
Position is manually marked on the chart by the officer on watch at set intervals (e.g., every 4 hours).

Explanation:
This helps correlate weather data with ship’s location.

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27. What do you get from an anemometer?

Answer:
• Wind speed (in knots or m/s)
• Wind direction (relative or true, depending on system)

Explanation:
Anemometers are essential for navigation and weather forecasting onboard.

28. How to get true wind direction and speed from the anemometer reading?

Answer:
1. Note relative wind from anemometer.
2. Add/subtract ship’s heading and speed vectorially.
3. Use vector triangle or calculator to get true wind direction and speed.

Explanation:
True wind is calculated considering the ship’s motion affecting apparent wind.

29. What is the Beaufort scale of wind speed? Understand the table. (Page 52)

Answer:
A scale from 0 (Calm) to 12 (Hurricane) describing wind speed and its visible effects on sea.

Example:
• Force 5: Fresh breeze (17–21 knots), moderate waves
• Force 10: Storm (48–55 knots), very high waves

Explanation:
Used to report sea conditions and forecast weather visually.

30. How to write length of swell and height of swell? (Page 55)

Answer:
• Length of swell: Measured from crest to crest (in meters or estimated in ship lengths)
• Height of swell: From trough to crest (in meters)

Example entry:
“Swell from SW, height 2.5 m, length 100 m, long and low”
Explanation:
Accurate swell reporting is vital for stability and motion prediction at sea.

31. Describe sea and swell.

Answer:
• Sea: Waves caused by local winds, short and irregular.
• Swell: Waves that have travelled from distant storms, long and regular.

Explanation:
Sea waves are choppy and change quickly; swells are smooth and uniform.

32. Log book sheet is provided to you. Make photocopy and fill it and attach with your journal.

Answer:
(Instructional)
• Take a photocopy of the given log sheet.
• Fill details: date, time, course, speed, weather, position, etc.
• Attach the completed sheet to your journal.

Explanation:
This trains cadets to maintain proper navigational records.

33. Describe main components of a sextant.

Answer:
• Frame: Rigid structure supporting all parts.
• Index Mirror: Mounted on movable arm, reflects celestial object.
• Horizon Mirror: Half-silvered, shows both horizon and reflected object.
• Telescope: For viewing.
• Index Arm: Moves the index mirror.
• Micrometer Drum/Vernier Scale: For fine measurements.
• Shades/Filters: Reduce glare from sun.
• Handle: For safe grip.

Explanation:
Each part plays a key role in taking accurate celestial or terrestrial angles.

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34. Use of Sextant.

Answer:
Used to measure the angle between two objects, especially:
• Altitude of celestial bodies (for navigation)
• Horizontal angles between landmarks (for coastal fixing)

Explanation:
Essential for celestial navigation, especially before GPS era.

35. (Question skipped or missing in the document.)

Answer:
No question is listed here—proceeding to the next.

36. What is On the Arc & Off the Arc reading?

Answer:
• On the Arc: When index arm is moved right from 0°, positive angles are read.
• Off the Arc: When index arm is moved left of 0°, used to read index error, negative.

Explanation:
These are standard sextant terms to identify type and direction of readings.

37. What is index error of sextant?

Answer:
The error when the horizon and index mirrors do not align properly at zero.

Determined by:
Bringing horizon and reflected image together at 0° and noting deviation.

Explanation:
It must be added/subtracted from readings for accurate measurements.

38. Describe sextant principle.

Answer:
Double reflection principle: Angle between objects is twice the angle through which the index mirror is rotated.

Explanation:
Light reflects off two mirrors before reaching the eye, enabling angle measurement.

39. What are the Morse symbols of following: 1) X 2) H 3) Y 4) L 5) P

Answer:
• X = -..-
• H = ….
• Y = -.–
• L = .-..
• P = .–.

Explanation:
Standard Morse code used in signaling by light or sound.

40. What all measurements can be taken by sextant?

Answer:
• Altitude of celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, stars)
• Horizontal angles between terrestrial objects
• Vertical angles for calculating heights
• Distance off using vertical sextant angle

Explanation:
Versatile instrument for navigation, surveying, and distance calculation.

41. What is the meaning of single letter signals: A, H, E, O, Y

Answer:
• A – “I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
• H – “I have a pilot on board.”
• E – “I am altering my course to starboard.”
• O – “Man overboard.”
• Y – “I am dragging my anchor.”

Explanation:
Single-letter signals are part of the International Code of Signals, used in visual signaling with flags.
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42. Draw diagram and arc of:

a) Mast light
b) Side light
c) Stern light
d) Towing light
e) All-round light

Answer:
Light Arcs:
• Masthead light: 225° (from right ahead to 22.5° abaft each beam)
• Side lights: 112.5° each (port – red, starboard – green)
• Stern light: 135° (right aft, 67.5° to each side)
• Towing light: 135° (same arc as stern, but color is yellow)
• All-round light: 360°

Explanation:
Used for collision avoidance and night identification. Diagrams should be drawn on a circular arc showing light sectors.

43. Vessel not under command making way through the water will display:

a) Lights
b) Shapes

Answer:
• Lights: Two all-round red lights in a vertical line + side lights + stern light (if making way).
• Shapes: Two black balls in a vertical line.

Explanation:
Indicates vessel is unable to maneuver and poses a collision risk.

44. Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre, making way through water will display:

a) Lights
b) Shapes

Answer:
• Lights: Red-white-red all-round lights vertically + masthead light(s), side lights, stern light.
• Shapes: Ball–diamond–ball vertically.
Explanation:
These lights and shapes signal limited maneuverability (e.g., dredging, cable laying).

45. When vessels are in sight of one another – sound signals:

a) Altering course to port

b) Altering course to starboard
c) Operating stern propulsion

Answer:
• a) 1 short blast – altering to starboard
• b) 2 short blasts – altering to port
• c) 3 short blasts – operating astern propulsion

Explanation:
These are COLREG Rule 34 signals for vessels in sight of one another.

46. Definition: Rule 3 – Sound signal in restricted visibility, lights and shapes – all types of ships

Answer:
Rule 3: Defines terms such as:
• Vessel types (power-driven, sailing, NUC, RAM, etc.)
• Underway, length, restricted visibility

Restricted visibility sound signals (Rule 35):

• Power-driven underway: 1 prolonged blast every 2 min
• NUC, RAM, etc.: 1 prolonged + 2 short blasts every 2 min

Explanation:
Essential for safe navigation during low visibility and proper signal usage.

47. On simulator – Steering: Key components & actions

Answer:
• Steering wheel: Manual control
• Hand steering order: Given and executed (e.g., “Port 10”)
• Steady the course: Maintain set heading
• Gyro repeater / Magnetic repeater: Show respective headings
• Telemotor: Transfers steering command to rudder
 • Steering pump: Operates hydraulic movement
• Changeover switch: Manual ↔ Auto
• Auto parameter switch: Sets parameters (Rudder limit, rate of turn)
• Set off-course alarm / Steering failure alarm
• Acknowledge alarms
• Simulator screen controls: Visual and data monitoring

Explanation:
Simulated steering exercises mimic real ship handling for training.

48. Failure systems: Response to equipment failures

Answer (Summary):
• Gyro failure:
• Identify via error indications or alarm
• Acknowledge, switch to magnetic compass, monitor heading
• Bring gyro back online, reset autopilot, verify course
• GPS failure:
• Alarm sounds, check alternate sources (Radar fixes, DR, celestial)
• Reacquire signal, verify accuracy before using
• Echo sounder failure:
• No depth display, alarm triggered
• Use lead line if needed
• Monitor when back online
• Doppler log failure:
• Affects STW, SOG, ECDIS
• Use GPS or ARPA for speed data
• Monitor data after reset
• AIS failure:
• Loss of traffic info on screen
• Use radar/visual watch, fix manually
• Restart and verify transmission/reception
• ARPA failure:
• Target tracking loss
• Manual plotting or visual/radar tracking used
• Check sensor inputs (gyro, speed, radar) and restart system

Explanation:
Each failure impacts navigation differently; fallback methods and verification steps are critical.

49. Radar: Key functions and operations

Answer:
• Position fixing:
• Use range and bearing to objects
• Two/three bearings or distances
• VRM (Variable Range Marker), EBL (Electronic Bearing Line), Range rings
• Radar types: X-band, S-band
• Blind sectors: Areas blocked by masts/superstructures
• Alarm acknowledgment: Collision warnings, CPA/TCPA alerts
• Motion modes: Relative/True, Course up/North up
• ARPA:
• Acquire targets
• Display vector, CPA/TCPA
• Guard zone setup
• Trial maneuvers
• Parallel index technique: Using fixed bearings for track keeping

Explanation:
Radar is used not just for collision avoidance, but also for position fixing and navigation.

50. Course Recorder: Reading steering course

Answer:
• Graphical display showing ship’s heading over time.
• Used to check for course stability and steering errors.

Explanation:
Provides a historical record of course steered, useful for watch handover and investigation.