Core Nautical Knowledge Flashcards
7 cards from real VTS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Core Nautical Knowledge flashcards as text
What does the term 'beam' refer to on a vessel?
Answer: The widest part of the vessel
The beam is the maximum width of a vessel measured at its widest point.
In VTS operations, what is a 'traffic separation scheme' (TSS)?
Answer: A routing measure separating opposing traffic flows with separation zones
A TSS is an IMO-adopted routing measure that separates opposing streams of traffic by establishing lanes and separation zones to reduce collision risk.
What is meant by 'under keel clearance' (UKC)?
Answer: The vertical distance between the vessel's keel and the seabed
Under keel clearance is the vertical distance between the lowest point of the vessel's keel and the seabed beneath it.
When a vessel is described as 'port side to' when berthing, what does this mean?
Answer: The vessel's port side will be against the dock
Port side to means the vessel will moor with its port (left) side alongside the berth or dock.
What is the purpose of a pilot boarding ground?
Answer: A designated area where a marine pilot boards or disembarks a vessel
A pilot boarding ground is a designated area, typically outside a port, where a marine pilot boards a vessel to assist with navigation into port.
What does 'ETA' stand for in VTS communications?
Answer: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, a standard term used in maritime communications to indicate when a vessel expects to reach a destination.
What navigational hazard does a 'wreck buoy' mark?
Answer: The location of a sunken vessel
A wreck buoy marks the location of a sunken vessel that poses a navigational hazard to surface traffic.