MST Marine Electronics & Navigation Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real MST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 MST Marine Electronics & Navigation Systems flashcards as text
What is the required light configuration for a power-driven vessel under 12 meters underway at night under COLREGS?
Answer: All-round white light (or masthead and stern lights) plus red and green sidelights
Under COLREGS Rule 23, power-driven vessels under 12m may show an all-round white light and sidelights, or masthead light, sidelights, and stern light.
What does the term 'waypoint' mean in marine navigation?
Answer: A specific set of GPS coordinates saved in a chartplotter as an intermediate or destination point
A waypoint is a latitude/longitude coordinate stored in the GPS chartplotter that the navigator uses to plot a course or mark a location of interest.
When installing a depth transducer on a fiberglass hull, what is the recommended mounting location for best performance?
Answer: On the hull inside or outside, aft of the keel, in a location that remains submerged at all speeds and free of turbulence
The transducer must be submerged in clean, non-turbulent water at all speeds — turbulence from the keel or hull features causes signal loss.
A marine autopilot system that is hunting (constantly steering back and forth past the desired heading) requires what adjustment?
Answer: Reduce the rudder gain (sensitivity) setting
Hunting occurs when the rudder gain is set too high, causing the autopilot to overcorrect — reducing gain allows more damping and a steady course.
What is the purpose of a marine radar reflector installed on a small fiberglass or wooden vessel?
Answer: To increase the vessel's radar cross-section so it appears clearly on other vessels' radar screens
Fiberglass and wood hulls have very small radar cross-sections and may not be visible on other ships' radar; a passive reflector greatly increases the reflected signal.
What is the correct orientation for mounting an octahedral passive radar reflector?
Answer: In the 'catch-rain' position with one cavity facing up
The 'catch-rain' orientation with one open cavity facing upward maximizes the radar cross-section by presenting trihedral corner reflectors optimally toward the horizon.