NSS Navigation and Ship Handling Comprehensive Review (Commands, Navigation, Weather, and Related Procedures)

Flashcards cover key concepts across standard commands, bridge organization, navigation, piloting, radar, conrep, weather, GPS, well deck, towing, and naval communications as presented in the lecture notes.

What are the three Rudder command levels and their typical use?

Right/Left Standard Rudder (15°) for normal turns; Right/Left Full Rudder (30°) for quicker turns; Hard Right/Left Rudder (35°) for emergencies or the sharpest possible turn.

What does Rudder Amidships do?

Puts rudder back to neutral (0°), stopping turning.

What does the command 'Steady on course [heading]' imply?

Maintain that heading.

What does 'Come right/left, steer [course]' require the helm to do?

Turn slightly and steer to a new heading.

What does 'Ease your rudder to…' mean?

Decrease rudder angle.

What does 'Increase your rudder to…' mean?

Increase rudder angle.

What does 'Shift your rudder' accomplish?

Move rudder to the same angle but on the opposite side.

What does 'Meet her' mean in commands?

Stop the ship from turning more (without steadying on a course).

What does 'Steady as you go' indicate?

Keep the ship on its current heading.

What is the difference between Helm Commands (Steering) and Lee Helm Commands (Engines)?

Helm commands govern rudder and steering; Lee Helm commands govern engine settings and propulsion.

What is the standard command format used on the Conn’s bridge for orders?

1) Command – What the Conn says; 2) Reply – Helm repeats it verbatim; 3) Action – Helm/Lee Helm carries it out; 4) Report – Helm states what was done; 5) Acknowledgement – Conn says 'Very well'.

Why is the standard command format important?

To prevent misunderstandings and ensure orders are carried out exactly and safely, with multiple chances to catch mistakes.

What are the five steps of the Command Format?

1) Command 2) Reply 3) Action 4) Report 5) Acknowledgement.

What is the purpose of identifying helm and lee helm commands and actions?

To distinguish who controls steering (rudder) versus propulsion (engines) and to ensure correct execution of orders.

Where is the pivot point located when the ship is stopped?

In the center of the ship.

How does the pivot point move as the ship changes speed and direction?

It moves toward the part of the ship with the most resistance; forward movement shifts pivot toward bow, backing shifts it toward stern.

What is inertia in ship handling?

Resistance to change in motion; the ship tends to keep moving in the same direction even after rudder input.

What are the three types of forces acting on a naval vessel?

Controllable Forces (lines, anchors, tugs, engines, rudders, thrusters); Semi-Controllable Forces (environmental effects like shallow water, bank cushion); Uncontrollable Forces (wind, current).

What is the mnemonic 'LATER Buoy C' used for?

To remember controllable forces: Lines, Anchors, Tugs, Engines, Rudders, Bow/Stern Thrusters.

Name a controllable force example and a semi-controllable force example.

Controllable: Engines; Semi-Controllable: Shallow water effects.

What is the 'split-ship' method?

Bow is controlled by tug; stern by rudder/engines to manage maneuvering.

What are the four MOB recovery maneuvers?

Anderson Turn, Williamson Turn, Racetrack Turn, Y-Backing.

What are the primary MOB recovery methods?

Small boat (RHIB), J-Bar Davit with SAR swimmer, Helicopter.

What does MOBI stand for and where is it located?

Man Overboard Indicator; built into life jackets to help locate the person from the bridge.

What is MOVREP and when is it required?

Movement Report; required 24–48 hours before getting underway to monitor safety, emergencies, and tracking.

What is the Pan-Pan call and how does it differ from Mayday?

Pan-Pan is an urgent but non-life-threatening situation; Mayday is a life-threatening distress call.

Who are the main bridge watchstanders and their roles (CO, OOD, JOOD, CONN, QMOW, BMOW)?

CO: Commanding Officer; overall navigation/tactical responsibility. OOD: Officer of the Deck; supervisor of bridge and contacts. JOOD: Junior Officer of the Deck; assists OOD and manages contacts. CONN: Conning Officer; directs rudder/engine orders. QMOW: Quartermaster of the Watch; navigational logs/position fixes. BMOW: Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch; supervises enlisted watch team.

What are the duties of the OOD in underway duties (basic gist)?

Supervises the bridge, ensures navigation safety, executes CO orders, monitors contacts.

What is Chart No. 1 and why is it important?

Chart No. 1 explains symbols, abbreviations, and features found on nautical charts; essential for chart reading.

Name three types of nautical charts and their scales (examples).

Sailing Chart 1:600,000; General Chart 1:200,000; Coastal Chart 1:80,000; Harbor Chart 1:40,000 down to 1:5,000.

What are the major navigation publications typically used (give at least three)?

Pub 151 – Distances Between Ports; Pub 102 – International Code of Signals; Pub 117 – Radio Navigational Aids; USCG Light List; NGA List of Lights; NOAA Coast Pilot; Sailing Directions; NAVDORM; Notice to Mariners; World Port Index; Nautical Almanac.

What is MOVREP used for in navigation planning?

To provide departure/arrival/route information for safety and tracking; includes reasons like route changes or weather diversions.

What are the basic speed-distance-time formulas used in OOD math?

Speed = Distance / Time; Time = Distance / Speed; Distance = Speed × Time.

What is Zulu time and how is it related to GMT/UTC?

Zulu time is GMT/UTC, used as the master reference time; used for time zone conversions.

What is the purpose of converting between degrees, minutes, seconds and decimal degrees?

To convert between chart coordinates (DMS) and decimal degrees for plotting and calculations.

What is the D/T in maneuvering calculations?

D/T = Advance + (Transfer ÷ tan of course change); used to estimate distance to turn.

What do RB, TB, MB stand for and how are they related?

RB = Relative Bearing; TB = True Bearing (heading) = True + RB; MB = Magnetic Bearing = TB − Variation.

What is the purpose of ARPA on radar and what are its risks?

ARPA automatically plots and predicts CPA/TCPA and helps avoid collisions; risks include input errors and misinterpretation; it is an aid, not a substitute for lookout.

Name three radar display orientations and what each emphasizes.

Head-Up: matches ship heading; Course-Up: aligns with the ship's course; North-Up: true north at top; True Motion: targets move relative to ground.

What is a RACON and where is it used?

Radar beacon that returns a Morse code signal on radar when pinged; marks hazards like bridges or buoys.

What is a SART and how does it function?

Search and Rescue Transponder; handheld beacon for liferafts; works on X-band radar to help rescuers locate you.

What is NAVDORM and why is it important?

Navigation Department Organization and Regulations Manual; standardizes navigation safety, duties, and procedures across commands.

What are the five parts of the Rules of the Road (Part A-E) and their focus?

Part A: General; Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules (conduct in visibility and in sight); Part C: Lights and Shapes; Part D: Sound and Light Signals; Part E: Exemptions.

State Rule 5 and Rule 6 of the Steering and Sailing Rules.

Rule 5 Lookout; Rule 6 Safe Speed - speed appropriate to conditions so you can stop or avoid collision.

Explain Rule 7 (Risk of Collision) and what indicates potential collision.

Assess whether another vessel’s bearing seems stable; if it doesn’t change, it may be on a collision course; take action.

What are Rules 14 and 15 about head-on and crossing situations?

Rule 14: When vessels meet head-on, each should turn to starboard. Rule 15: If another vessel is on your starboard side, you must give way.

What is the purpose of standard phraseology and repeat-backs on the bridge?

To prevent misunderstanding, ensure clarity of orders, and verify actions and reports.

What is the difference between Chart Projections: Mercator and Gnomonic?

Mercator: rhumb lines are straight; distortions near the poles; Gnomonic: great-circle routes appear straight and are used for long-distance planning.

What is the purpose of Chart No. 1 in navigation?

Explain chart symbols, abbreviations, and features used on nautical charts.

What is the difference between a Beacon, Buoy, and Light?

Beacon: fixed marker (land or water); Buoy: floating marker; Light: light source aiding navigation.

Define AtoN, RACON, RAMARK, and VAtoN.

AtoN: navigation aids (beacons, buoys, lights); RACON: radar beacon that returns Morse code; RAMARK: radar beacon with bearing signal; VAtoN: virtual aids shown electronically.

What is a Dead Reckoning (DR) position and how is it used with fixes?

DR is a predicted position from speed and course; used in combination with true fixes (e.g., LOPs, bearings) to determine actual position.

What are the six Dead Reckoning (DR) update rules?

Plot DR every hour, at every course change, every speed change, every fix or running fix, every LOP, and project two fix intervals.

What is a fix and how is it obtained visually?

A Fix is a position determined by intersecting three or more bearings; visually from NAVAIDs (beam/bow/stern) with bearings plotted.

How is a radar fix obtained?

Measure distance to three land features with radar, plot range arcs with a compass, and find the crossing point.

What is a tangent fix in radar navigation?

Use a large landmass and take a radar range and tangent bearings; plot lines and arc to locate their intersection.

What is 'Set' and 'Drift' in piloting, and how are they determined?

Set is the direction the current pushes you; Drift is the speed of the current; determine by line from DR to actual fix and compute speed.

What are the three main Radar Navigation categories?

Landfall Navigation, Coastal Navigation, Piloting (inside 10 miles of shore). NAVDORM requires fixes every 3rd fix interval in pilotage waters.

What are the ARPA features, and what is their purpose?

EBL, VRM, Parallel Index Lines, CPA/TCPA, Trial Maneuver; aid in measuring bearing and distance, maintaining safe separation, and testing maneuvers.

What is the envelope in helicopter operations at sea?

The safe wind-direction and wind-speed bounds and ship movement for safe helicopter takeoffs and landings.

Who are the key flight deck roles in helicopter operations (TAO/CICWO, HCO, LSE, etc.)?

TAO/CICWO: oversees aircraft control; HCO: directs helicopter; LSE: guides pilot visually; Chock & Chain (Blue); Fueling (Purple); Crash & Salvage (Red); Flight Deck Safety (White).

What are the responsibilities of the small boat crew (Coxswain, Engineer, Bowhook, Boat Officer)?

Coxswain: driver and safety/handling; Engineer: engine, repairs, fuels; Bowhook: assists, looks out, lines; Boat Officer: oversees safety and procedures.

What is the difference between mooring to a buoy and anchoring to a bottom anchor?

Mooring to a buoy uses a pre-installed buoy secured by anchors for stability; anchoring drops your own anchor and allows ship to swing with wind/current.

Explain the 'Dip Rope' and 'Trolley' mooring methods to a buoy.

Dip Rope: buoy wire is attached; ship walks out a messenger and dip rope to buoy; Trolley: anchor chain slides down a wire via trolleys with buoy wire attached.

What is the scope of anchor chain and how does bottom type affect it?

Scope is chain length out compared to depth (commonly 5–7x depth in ideal sandy bottom); longer scope needed for soft bottoms, strong winds or currents.

List common types of anchors used by US Navy vessels and a key feature of each.

Stockless: standard, stockless design; Danforth: good in sand/mud; Commercial Stockless: commercial version; Navy-Type Stock: digs deep with a stock; Mushroom Cap: good in soft mud for suction.

What are basic deck seamanship terms (rope, line, turn, bight, round turn, faking, coiling, Flemishing, rat-tailed stopper, mousing, splicing)?

Rope/Line: general term vs specific job; Turn: single wrap around post; Bight: U-shape; Round turn: multiple wraps; Faking: laying lines for easy payout; Coiling/Flemishing: organization methods; Rat-tailed stopper: rope to hold line; Mousing: securing hook; Splicing: permanently joining two pieces.

What are Breast lines and Spring lines in mooring?

Breast lines run straight out from the ship to the pier; Spring lines run along the length of the ship (forward spring from bow, after spring from stern) to limit movement.

What is the purpose of 'Stand by your lines', 'Pass (Line #)', and other line-handling commands?

They coordinate the line handling: stand by lines get crew ready; pass transmits the line; slack pays out; take strain puts line under tension; take in slack; ease releases tension, etc.

Describe the main responsibilities in well deck operations (Condition 1A).

Ood keeps ship steady; DCO supervises loading/unloading; WDCO runs well deck operations; Ballast manages water depth; Combat Cargo Manager moves cargo; Well Deck Safety oversees hazards; Ramp Marshall guides craft; Line Captains/Handers tie/untie; Stern Gate Operators operate stern gate.

What are the three main amphibious craft (ACV, LCAC, LCU) launch/recovery considerations?

ACV: launch at 5–15 knots, stern gate nearly horizontal, shallow water; LCAC: similar but needs wind/seas considerations; LCU: launch/recover at slow speed, deeper water at sill, stern gate at stops.

What is the purpose of NAVMETOCCOMINST 3144.1?

Regulates ships to take regular weather observations and report weather data for forecasts and climatology.

What is the general content of a NAVDORM Navigation Brief?

Tracks: track and maneuvering intentions; Weather; Special considerations; Timeline and key information for navigation evolution.

What are the main sources of GPS errors?

User clock bias, satellite clock bias, atmospheric interference, satellite geometry (DOP), receiver channel errors.

Define chart datums and why they matter.

Datums are reference frames (e.g., WGS 84 for GPS; chart datum may differ). Mismatch causes position shifts on charts, potentially causing grounding.

What are the major factors affecting weather observations and forecasting (general terms)?

Temperature, humidity, wind, barometric pressure, sea state, visibility, clouds; NAVMETOCCOMINST guidelines govern reporting.

What is the role of STELLA in celestial navigation?

STELLA is a computer program that calculates celestial positions and times, acting as an electronic almanac for celestial navigation.

Define civil twilight and nautical twilight per Bowditch.

Civil twilight: enough light after sunset or before sunrise to see objects; Nautical twilight: sun is low enough that stars are visible but horizon remains visible.

What is meridian transit and why is it important?

The moment a celestial body crosses the local meridian; used to determine latitude via sextant observations.

What are PMAP and SPORTS in environmental protection and monitoring?

PMAP: Protective Measures Assessment Protocol for protected areas; SPORTS: Sonar Positional Reporting System for tracking sonar use near marine mammals.

What is OTSR in weather routing and how is it used?

Optimum Track Ship Routing; advisory service to minimize heavy weather exposure; updates provided via MOVREP with route recommendations.

What are the five parts of the Rules of the Road?

Part A General; Part B Steering and Sailing Rules; Part C Lights and Shapes; Part D Sound and Light Signals; Part E Exemptions.

What are the five standard ship-to-ship communications practices on VHF BTB?

Spot the ship (binoculars); check AIS; call on VHF; use concise, precise language; confirm and end on agreed channels.

What are the main elements that define Aids to Navigation (AtoN) and their appearances?

Guides, warnings, and information; varies by shape, color, topmarks, lights, and sound signals; green and red buoyage, topmarks such as balls or cones.

Explain the difference between a ballast operation in well decks and the role of a Ballast Officer.

Ballast adjusts water in ballast tanks to achieve desired stability and trim for well deck operations.

What is the 'envelope' concept for helicopter operations in flight operations?

Safe wind direction/speed and ship motion limits for helicopter operations; affects landing/takeoff safety.

Explain the concept of 'Hazardous Materials (HM)' and 'Hazardous Waste' in ship operations.

HM includes chemicals and cleaning supplies; Hazardous Waste is more dangerous and includes used batteries, contaminated materials; proper storage and MSDS compliance are required.

What are the main goals of a weather OTSR and reporting?

Provide route recommendations to minimize exposure to weather hazards and require daily updates and analysis; CO approves diversions.

What is the difference between 'head-on' and 'crossing' situations in Rule 14 and Rule 15?

Head-on (Rule 14): turn to starboard; Crossing (Rule 15): vessel on your starboard has right of way; give way vs stand-on.

What are the components of the navigation crew's pre-watch tour (to be reviewed before assuming the watch)?

Nav data, tactical readiness (stations, traffic, emergencies, contact picture), readiness of equipment, lookouts.

What is a 'fix' in piloting and how is it obtained using landmarks?

A position determined by three bearings to known landmarks; line intersections provide the Fix.

What are the three main sections of the terrestrial coordinate system (latitude/longitude) and what do they measure?

Latitude (0–90° N/S) measured from the equator; Longitude (0–180° E/W) measured from the prime meridian; meridian and parallel concept.

What is the difference between 'RACON' and 'RAMARK' radar beacons?

RACON shows up on radar with signals; RAMARK transmits signal bearing only; RACONs provide range and bearing, RAMARKs provide bearing only.

Why is a ' repeat back' important in orders and how should it be delivered?

To verify accuracy; the Helm repeats the command verbatim and confirms with the Conn.

What are the basic components of the gyrocompass concepts?

Spin axis, horizontal axis, vertical axis; gyros mounted in gimbals; need power and recalibration; true north reference independent of magnetic fields.

What is the principle behind 'varying bearing lines' (EBL) and 'range markers' (VRM) in ARPA?

EBL measures bearing to a contact; VRM measures distance; combined with CPA/TCPA for maneuver decisions.

What is hazardous 'Storm Front' concept in weather and what front types exist?

Fronts include Cold Front (cold air undercuts warm air, rapid weather change), Warm Front (rising warm air, steady rain), Occluded Front (cold front catches warm front, messy weather), Stationary Front (little movement, prolonged unsettled weather).

What is the 'Buoy Watch Circle' and its significance?

Area around a buoy within which it can move while attached to its anchor; circumference determined by chain length and water depth.

What is the purpose of 'Tides and Currents' graphs in navigation?

Tide graphs show vertical water level changes; current graphs show horizontal movement; peaks indicate high tide, slack water marks zero movement.

What are 'Piloting' terms: Fix, DR, LOP, and DR’s two legs?

Fix: actual position; DR: predicted position; LOP: line of position; DR track includes course and speed; update DR every fix.