SVOP - Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Navigation and Chartwork Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When operating a vessel in Canadian waters, which are part of IALA Buoyage System Region B, what is the correct action to take when returning from sea and encountering a green, can-shaped buoy?
- Leave it on your starboard (right) side.
- Keep it on your port (left) side. (Correct answer)
- Pass it on either side as it marks safe water.
- Stop the vessel and consult the chart immediately.
Correct answer: Keep it on your port (left) side.
In IALA Buoyage System Region B, which includes Canada and the Americas, the rule is 'Red, Right, Returning'. This means when returning from sea (upstream), red buoys should be kept on your starboard (right) side. Consequently, green buoys must be kept on your port (left) side.
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 of 100° (T) to a compass course (C), what is the correct calculation?
- 100° (T) - 15° (W) + 3° (E) = 88° (C)
- 100° (T) + 15° (W) - 3° (E) = 112° (C) (Correct answer)
- 100° (T) - 15° (W) - 3° (E) = 82° (C)
- 100° (T) + 15° (W) + 3° (E) = 118° (C)
Correct answer: 100° (T) + 15° (W) - 3° (E) = 112° (C)
To convert from a True course to a Compass course, you must account for both variation and deviation. A common mnemonic is 'True Virgins Make Dull Company, Add Whiskey' (True, Variation, Magnetic, Deviation, Compass, Add West). When going from True to Compass, you subtract easterly errors and add westerly errors. Therefore, the calculation is: 100° (True) + 15° (West Variation) = 115° (Magnetic). Then, 115° (Magnetic) - 3° (East Deviation) = 112° (Compass).
Question 3: Which of the following symbols on a Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) chart represents a rock that is submerged but has a depth of 2 meters or less over it, making it a significant danger?
- An asterisk (*)
- A plus sign (+) (Correct answer)
- A small circle (â—‹)
- A cross within a circle ( bigoplus)
Correct answer: A plus sign (+)
According to Canadian Hydrographic Service's Chart 1, a plus sign (+) symbol is used to denote a rock that is submerged at chart datum and has a depth of 2 meters or less over it. An asterisk (*) represents a rock that uncovers (is visible) at low tide.
Question 4: While navigating in coastal waters, you take bearings on two prominent, charted landmarks to determine your vessel's position. The first bearing is on a lighthouse at 310° and the second is on a water tower at 220°. What is this method of position fixing called?
- Dead reckoning
- Running fix
- A cross bearing fix (Correct answer)
- Satellite navigation
Correct answer: A cross bearing fix
A cross bearing fix is a method of determining a vessel's position by taking bearings on two or more fixed, charted objects. The intersection of these lines of position on the chart indicates the vessel's location.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT typically found in the title block or marginal notes of a Canadian nautical chart?
- The chart's scale and projection type
- The unit of measurement for depths (e.g., metres, fathoms)
- Real-time vessel traffic information (Correct answer)
- Information on the chart datum used for soundings
Correct answer: Real-time vessel traffic information
A nautical chart's title block and marginal notes contain essential static information like the scale, projection, units for depths and heights, and the reference datum. Real-time information, such as live vessel traffic, is dynamic and obtained from systems like AIS (Automatic Identification System), not printed on the chart itself.
Question 6: On a nautical chart, 'Variation' is the angular difference between:
- Compass North and Magnetic North
- True North and the vessel's heading
- Magnetic North and the vessel's heading
- True North and Magnetic North (Correct answer)
Correct answer: True North and Magnetic North
Variation (also known as magnetic declination) is the angle between True North (the geographic North Pole) and Magnetic North (the direction a compass needle points). This value changes based on geographic location and is indicated on the chart's compass rose.
SVOP - Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Navigation and Chartwork Questions and Answers
When operating a vessel in Canadian waters, which are part of IALA Buoyage System Region B, what is the correct action to take when returning from sea and encountering a green, can-shaped buoy?