ENSH Access Contest flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

COLREG Rule 13 overtaking

Any vessel approaching another from more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam is overtaking and must keep out of the way until finally past and clear, regardless of propulsion type.

STCW rest hours

At least 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period; rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of at least 6 hours.

MARPOL Annexes I-VI

Six technical annexes covering oil, noxious liquid substances, harmful packaged substances, sewage, garbage, and air pollution. Annexes I and II are mandatory; III-VI require separate acceptance.

Rule 15 crossing situation

When two power-driven vessels cross, the one with the other on her starboard side gives way and should avoid crossing ahead. The stand-on vessel keeps course and speed.

DSC distress alert

A digital selective calling alert sent on VHF Ch 70 or MF/HF 2187.5 kHz containing the vessel's MMSI, nature of distress, and position. It is followed by voice on Ch 16.

MAYDAY PAN PAN SÉCURITÉ

Three priority signals: MAYDAY for distress (grave and imminent danger), PAN PAN for urgency (safety concern, no immediate danger), SÉCURITÉ for safety messages such as navigational warnings.

GMDSS sea areas

A1 within VHF DSC coast-station coverage, A2 within MF DSC coverage, A3 within Inmarsat coverage, A4 outside A1-A3. Equipment carriage depends on the area.

MAYDAY RELAY

A distress relay transmitted by a station not itself in distress, used when the casualty cannot transmit or when no shore station has acknowledged the original alert.

Speed distance time formula

Distance in nautical miles equals speed in knots multiplied by time in hours. Time equals distance divided by speed. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour.

Mercator chart scale

Scale increases with latitude on a Mercator projection, so distances must be measured on the latitude border at the latitude of the position, not at the chart's stated scale.

Set and drift

Set is the direction toward which a current flows; drift is its speed. Course to steer and speed made good come from a vector triangle of ship and current.

Rule of twelfths

Approximation of tidal rise or fall in successive hours after low or high water: 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 3/12, 2/12, 1/12 of the total range.

IALA Region A versus B

Region A (Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia) uses red can-shaped port marks and green conical starboard marks. Region B reverses the colours.

Beaufort scale

Empirical wind scale from 0 (calm, under 1 knot) to 12 (hurricane, 64 knots or more). Force 6 is a strong breeze, force 8 a gale.

Buys Ballot's law

In the Northern Hemisphere, with your back to the wind, low pressure lies on your left. In the Southern Hemisphere, low pressure lies on your right.

Cold front passage

A cold front brings squalls, cumulonimbus, a sharp pressure rise, a wind veer in the Northern Hemisphere, and improving visibility after the front passes.

Fog formation

Fog forms when air cools to its dew point. Radiation fog needs clear calm nights; advection fog needs warm moist air moving over a colder surface.

Tropical storm formation

Requires sea-surface temperature of at least 26.5 degrees Celsius, low vertical wind shear, and Coriolis effect, so storms do not form within about 5 degrees of the equator.

Pivot point

The point about which a vessel rotates when manoeuvring. It lies roughly one-third of the length from the bow when going ahead, and about one-quarter from the stern astern.

Right-handed propeller effect

In ahead, transverse thrust pushes the stern to starboard. In astern, the effect reverses and the stern walks to port.

Anchor scope

The ratio of anchor chain length to water depth. Normal scope is 5 to 7 times depth; heavy weather may require up to 10 times.

Man overboard immediate actions

Hard helm toward the casualty side, release lifebuoy with light and smoke, post lookout, record position, sound three long blasts, and prepare recovery.

Fire classes

Class A solid combustibles (water), B flammable liquids (foam, CO2), C gases (dry powder), D metals (special powder), F cooking oils (wet chemical).

Abandon ship order

Only the master or senior surviving officer orders abandon ship. The order is passed by word of mouth and general alarm; crew proceed to muster stations.

Emergency generator timing

Under SOLAS II-1, the emergency generator must start automatically and supply emergency loads, including steering, emergency lighting, radio and fire pump, within 45 seconds.

EPIRB transmission

An emergency position-indicating radio beacon transmits on 406 MHz to COSPAS-SARSAT, carrying the vessel's MMSI and position. It activates manually or by hydrostatic release.

Over versus out

In radiotelephony, 'over' ends a transmission and invites a reply; 'out' ends the communication and requires no reply. Never use both in one transmission.

SMCP helm orders

Standard phrases include 'Port ten', 'Starboard ten', 'Midships', 'Steady', 'Steady as she goes', 'Meet her', 'Hard-a-port', 'Hard-a-starboard'.

Distress call structure

MAYDAY three times, this is name and callsign three times, MAYDAY name once, then position, nature of distress, assistance required, persons on board, and other information.

MARPOL Annex I discharge

Oil discharge is prohibited except outside special areas, ship en route, oil content at most 15 ppm through approved equipment, and with monitoring and control systems operating.

MARPOL Annex V garbage

Garbage discharge is generally prohibited. Food waste may be discharged beyond 12 nm, or beyond 3 nm if comminuted through a screen with openings of 25 mm or less.

Sulphur limits Annex VI

Fuel sulphur is limited to 0.50 percent m/m globally and 0.10 percent m/m in Emission Control Areas: Baltic, North Sea, North American and US Caribbean.