Free SVOP Navigation and Chartwork Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a Canadian nautical chart, you encounter a buoy symbol that is yellow and black. You note the top marks are two cones pointing down. What does this cardinal buoy indicate?
- That the safest water lies to the East of the buoy.
- That the safest water lies to the West of the buoy.
- That the safest water lies to the South of the buoy. (Correct answer)
- That the safest water lies to the North of the buoy.
Correct answer: That the safest water lies to the South of the buoy.
A South Cardinal Buoy is yellow on top and black on the bottom, with two cones as top marks both pointing downward. This configuration indicates that safe, navigable water is to the south of the buoy.
Question 2: You are plotting a course on a nautical chart. The compass rose indicates a variation of 15° West. Your vessel's deviation for the intended heading is 3° East. To convert a true course to a compass course, how would you apply these corrections?
- Subtract 15° for variation and add 3° for deviation.
- Add 15° for variation and subtract 3° for deviation. (Correct answer)
- Add 15° for variation and add 3° for deviation.
- Subtract 15° for variation and subtract 3° for deviation.
Correct answer: Add 15° for variation and subtract 3° for deviation.
To convert from a true course to a compass course, the rule is to account for variation and deviation. For West variation, you add, and for East deviation, you subtract. A common mnemonic is 'True Virgins Make Dull Company, Add Whiskey' (True, Variation, Magnetic, Deviation, Compass, Add West). Therefore, you would add the 15° West variation and subtract the 3° East deviation.
Question 3: While navigating in Canadian waters, which operate under the IALA-B buoyage system, you are heading upstream (returning from sea). According to the 'Red Right Returning' rule, what action should you take when you see a red, cone-shaped buoy?
- Keep the buoy on your port (left) side.
- Pass the buoy on either side as it marks safe water.
- Come to a complete stop and await instructions.
- Keep the buoy on your starboard (right) side. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Keep the buoy on your starboard (right) side.
In the IALA-B system, used in Canada, the rule 'Red Right Returning' means that when you are proceeding in the upstream direction (returning from sea), you must keep red, conical-shaped (nun) buoys on your starboard (right) hand side.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most accurate source for finding the specific meanings of all symbols and abbreviations used on a Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) nautical chart?
- Canadian Notices to Mariners
- The Collision Regulations
- Chart No. 1, Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms (Correct answer)
- The Sailing Directions publication
Correct answer: Chart No. 1, Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms
Chart No. 1, published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, is the authoritative guide that contains complete explanations of all the symbols, abbreviations, and terms used on Canadian nautical charts.
Question 5: You are operating a small vessel in a narrow channel and see a green, can-shaped buoy ahead. You are travelling upstream. How should you proceed to remain in the designated safe channel?
- Keep the green buoy on your port (left) side. (Correct answer)
- Keep the green buoy on your starboard (right) side.
- You may pass the buoy on either side.
- Turn the vessel around as this indicates danger ahead.
Correct answer: Keep the green buoy on your port (left) side.
In Canada (IALA Region B), when proceeding upstream, port-hand (left side of the channel) lateral buoys are green and can-shaped. Therefore, the operator should keep this buoy on their port side to stay within the safe channel.
Question 6: On a nautical chart, the abbreviation 'S' next to a seabed description (e.g., 'S/M') indicates what type of bottom composition?
- Shale
- Stone
- Sand (Correct answer)
- Shells
Correct answer: Sand
According to Chart No. 1, which standardizes symbols and abbreviations on Canadian charts, the abbreviation 'S' for seabed composition stands for Sand. 'M' stands for Mud, so 'S/M' would indicate a bottom of Sand and Mud.
Free SVOP Navigation and Chartwork Questions and Answers 1
On a Canadian nautical chart, you encounter a buoy symbol that is yellow and black.
You note the top marks are two cones pointing down.
What does this cardinal buoy indicate?