SVOP - Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Navigation and Chartwork 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?

Accepted Answer

Keep it on your port (left) side.

Answer

Leave it on your starboard (right) side.

Answer

Pass it on either side as it marks safe water.

Answer

Stop the vessel and consult the chart immediately.

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?

Accepted Answer

100° (T) + 15° (W) - 3° (E) = 112° (C)

Answer

100° (T) - 15° (W) + 3° (E) = 88° (C)

Answer

100° (T) - 15° (W) - 3° (E) = 82° (C)

Answer

100° (T) + 15° (W) + 3° (E) = 118° (C)

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?

Accepted Answer

A plus sign (+)

Answer

An asterisk (*)

Answer

A small circle (○)

Answer

A cross within a circle ( bigoplus)

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?

Accepted Answer

A cross bearing fix

Answer

Dead reckoning

Answer

Running fix

Answer

Satellite navigation

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT typically found in the title block or marginal notes of a Canadian nautical chart?

Accepted Answer

Real-time vessel traffic information

Answer

The chart's scale and projection type

Answer

The unit of measurement for depths (e.g., metres, fathoms)

Answer

Information on the chart datum used for soundings

Question 6

On a nautical chart, 'Variation' is the angular difference between:

Accepted Answer

True North and Magnetic North

Answer

Compass North and Magnetic North

Answer

True North and the vessel's heading

Answer

Magnetic North and the vessel's heading