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PN Sailor Initial Test study materials
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PN Sailor Initial Test practice questions

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Question 1English Communication Skills

A deck officer tells you, "Secure the mooring lines and report back to the bridge when finished." What is the officer asking you to do?

  1. Loosen the ropes and wait on the bridge
  2. Throw the ropes overboard and return to the bridge
  3. Clean the ropes and report to the deck
  4. Tie up the ropes safely and then inform the bridge Correct answer.

Explanation

In maritime English, 'secure' means to make fast or tie up safely, and 'report back' means to return with information. The sentence is a two-part instruction: complete the task, then notify the bridge. Recognizing both verbs is essential for carrying out orders correctly.

Question 2English Communication Skills

During a safety briefing you hear: "All personnel must wear a life jacket on the open deck." Which statement restates the requirement correctly?

  1. Life jackets are optional on the open deck
  2. A life jacket is required on the open deck at all times Correct answer.
  3. Life jackets are worn only during drills
  4. Only officers wear life jackets on the open deck

Explanation

'Must' expresses obligation, and 'all personnel' means everyone without exception. The requirement applies whenever someone is on the open deck. Options that make it optional or limit it to a group change the meaning.

Question 3English Communication Skills

You need to ask the engine room for the current fuel oil temperature. Which request is clearest and most appropriate for a radio call?

  1. I want to know things about the fuel oil.
  2. Engine room, temperature maybe?
  3. Engine room, please report the current fuel oil temperature. Correct answer.
  4. Fuel oil temperature, now?

Explanation

Effective maritime communication names the addressee, uses a polite request form, and states the exact information needed. 'Please report the current fuel oil temperature' does all three. Vague or abrupt phrases risk misunderstanding on a noisy radio channel.

Question 4English Communication Skills

A pilot boards and says, "Make fast the headline first, then the spring." Which line should the crew handle first?

  1. The breast line
  2. The stern line
  3. The headline Correct answer.
  4. The spring line

Explanation

'First' marks the initial action in a sequence, and the headline is named before 'then the spring'. The order word tells the crew which line to secure initially. The other lines may follow but are not the first task.

Question 5English Communication Skills

Which sentence uses the correct standard nautical term for the left side of a vessel when facing forward?

  1. The aft side is on your left as you face the bow.
  2. The beam side is on your left as you face the bow.
  3. The starboard side is on your left as you face the bow.
  4. The port side is on your left as you face the bow. Correct answer.

Explanation

By convention, port is the left side and starboard is the right side when facing forward toward the bow. 'Aft' refers to the rear direction and 'beam' refers to the side width, not a left/right designation. Using the correct term prevents confusion during maneuvering.

Question 6English Communication Skills

The log entry reads: "0800 - Vessel departed berth; 0900 - All hands mustered for drill." What happened at 0900?

  1. The vessel anchored
  2. The vessel left the berth
  3. The watch changed
  4. The crew assembled for a drill Correct answer.

Explanation

'All hands' means the entire crew, and 'mustered' means assembled or gathered. Therefore at 0900 the crew gathered for a drill. The departure happened earlier, at 0800.

Question 7English Communication Skills

You hear over VHF: "This is Motor Vessel Sea Lark calling Harbor Control." Who is making the call?

  1. Motor Vessel Sea Lark Correct answer.
  2. The pilot station
  3. Harbor Control
  4. A coast radio station

Explanation

In standard radio procedure, the station speaking identifies itself first with 'This is', then names the station being called. Here 'This is Motor Vessel Sea Lark' identifies the caller. Harbor Control is the addressee, not the caller.

Question 8English Communication Skills

A notice states: "No smoking is permitted in the paint locker." What does this mean for crew entering the paint locker?

  1. Smoking is forbidden inside the paint locker Correct answer.
  2. Smoking is allowed with the supervisor's permission
  3. Smoking is allowed only at night
  4. Smoking is allowed if the door is open

Explanation

'No smoking is permitted' is a prohibition, meaning smoking is not allowed under any condition stated. The paint locker stores flammable materials, so the rule is absolute. Adding exceptions not written in the notice is incorrect.

Question 9English Communication Skills

The captain says: "We will not sail until the weather improves." Which statement reflects the captain's meaning?

  1. The vessel will never sail
  2. The vessel will sail before the weather improves
  3. The vessel will sail only after the weather improves Correct answer.
  4. The vessel will sail immediately regardless of weather

Explanation

The structure 'not ... until' means the action happens only after the stated condition is met. So sailing depends on the weather improving first. It does not mean never sailing, nor sailing immediately.

Question 10English Communication Skills

You must report a small hydraulic oil leak on deck. Which message best fits standard reporting style?

  1. There is oil everywhere and the deck is dangerous.
  2. Something is wrong with a machine on deck, someone should check.
  3. Deck leak, hydraulic oil, small, near the windlass; request maintenance. Correct answer.
  4. I think maybe there might be a leak somewhere.

Explanation

Operational reports should state what, where, how serious, and what action is requested, in that compact order. The option naming the substance, size, location, and request is the clearest. Vague or exaggerated reports hinder response.

Question 11English Communication Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'affect' and 'effect' in a maritime maintenance report.

  1. The heavy swell effected the cargo lashings badly.
  2. The heavy swell had a bad affect on the cargo lashings.
  3. The heavy swell had a bad effect on the cargo lashings. Correct answer.
  4. The heavy swell affected an effect on the cargo lashings.

Explanation

'Effect' is usually a noun meaning result, while 'affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence. In 'had a bad effect on', a noun is required after 'a bad', so 'effect' is correct. The other options misuse the pair.

Question 12English Communication Skills

A crew member writes: "The pump was repaired by the second engineer." Which rewrite keeps the same meaning in active voice?

  1. The pump was repairing by the second engineer.
  2. The pump repaired the second engineer.
  3. The second engineer repaired the pump. Correct answer.
  4. Repairs were done to the engineer by the pump.

Explanation

In the passive sentence, 'the second engineer' performs the action and 'the pump' receives it. Converting to active voice places the doer first: the engineer repaired the pump. The other options reverse the roles or break the grammar.

Question 13English Communication Skills

During a mayday relay, what does the spoken word 'say again' instruct the receiving station to do?

  1. Repeat the previous message Correct answer.
  2. Stop transmitting immediately
  3. Increase transmission power
  4. Change to another channel

Explanation

In standard radiotelephony, 'say again' is the proword requesting repetition of all or part of a message. It does not mean change channel or stop transmitting. Using the correct proword avoids confusion in distress traffic.

Question 14English Communication Skills

Read this extract: "Visibility reduced to less than one mile; fog signal sounded at intervals." What condition does the extract describe?

  1. Restricted visibility requiring fog signals Correct answer.
  2. Nighttime navigation with no fog
  3. A storm with heavy rain only
  4. Clear weather with good visibility

Explanation

The extract states visibility is under one mile and a fog signal is being sounded. Both details point to fog or restricted visibility. Nothing indicates clear weather, rain, or merely nighttime conditions.

Question 15English Communication Skills

Which sentence correctly uses a comparative to compare two vessels' draft?

  1. This vessel has deepest draft than the other.
  2. This vessel has the deeper draft of the two.
  3. This vessel has more deep draft than the other.
  4. This vessel has a deeper draft than the other. Correct answer.

Explanation

When comparing two things, English uses the comparative form plus 'than': deeper than. The superlative 'deepest' is for three or more items. 'More deep' is not the standard comparative of a one-syllable adjective.

Question 16English Communication Skills

A message reads: "Advise ETA at the pilot station." What information is being requested?

  1. The vessel's crew list
  2. The vessel's cargo tonnage
  3. The vessel's estimated time of arrival Correct answer.
  4. The vessel's flag state

Explanation

ETA is the standard abbreviation for estimated time of arrival, and 'advise' means to inform. The message asks the vessel to report when it expects to reach the pilot station. Tonnage, flag, and crew list are unrelated to ETA.

Question 17English Communication Skills

You are writing an incident report. Which sentence uses the past perfect correctly to show the sequence of events?

  1. The alarm had sound after the fire started in the galley.
  2. The alarm sounds after the fire had started in the galley.
  3. The alarm had sounded after the fire started in the galley.
  4. The alarm sounded after the fire had started in the galley. Correct answer.

Explanation

The past perfect ('had started') marks the earlier of two past events, while the simple past ('sounded') marks the later one. Here the fire started first and the alarm sounded afterward. The other options misplace the tenses or are ungrammatical.

Question 18English Communication Skills

A berth instruction says: "Berth on arrival, port side to, no tug assistance required." What does 'port side to' mean for mooring?

  1. The vessel anchors offshore
  2. The vessel's left side faces the berth Correct answer.
  3. The vessel moors stern to the berth
  4. The vessel's right side faces the berth

Explanation

'Port side to' means the vessel is moored with its port (left) side against the berth. This tells the master how to approach and which lines to prepare. Starboard, anchoring, and stern-to describe different situations.

Question 19English Communication Skills

Which sentence uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly in a vessel status report?

  1. Its clear that the vessel needs repairs.
  2. The vessel checked its mooring lines before departure. Correct answer.
  3. The vessel lost it's anchor in the channel.
  4. The vessel reported it's position to the port.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form, while 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. Only the sentence using 'its' as a possessive before 'mooring lines' is correct. The others substitute the contraction where a possessive is needed.

Question 20English Communication Skills

A message states: "Unless the wind drops, we will postpone cargo operations." Under what condition will cargo work continue as planned?

  1. If the wind drops Correct answer.
  2. If the wind increases
  3. If the cargo is already loaded
  4. If the captain is on the bridge

Explanation

'Unless X, Y' means Y happens only if X does not happen. Here, postponement occurs if the wind does not drop, so work continues only if the wind drops. The other conditions are not part of the sentence.

Question 21English Communication Skills

A brief note says: "Crew to muster at 0630; breakfast will be served after muster." What is the correct order of events?

  1. Breakfast is cancelled
  2. Muster and breakfast at the same time
  3. Breakfast, then muster
  4. Muster, then breakfast Correct answer.

Explanation

'After muster' shows that breakfast follows the assembly. The note therefore sets muster first and breakfast second. Simultaneous or reversed order contradicts the word 'after'.

Question 22English Communication Skills

Which sentence uses the correct preposition to describe a vessel's position relative to a channel?

  1. The vessel is anchored in the channel entrance.
  2. The vessel is anchored at the channel entrance. Correct answer.
  3. The vessel is anchored by the channel entrance.
  4. The vessel is anchored on the channel entrance.

Explanation

The standard expression for a location at a specific point such as an entrance is 'at the channel entrance'. 'In' suggests being inside, 'on' suggests a surface, and 'by' suggests proximity rather than being at the point. Precise prepositions matter in position reports.

Question 23English Communication Skills

You hear: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Motor Tanker Astra, position bearing 045 degrees from Cape Reed." What is the priority of this transmission?

  1. A test transmission to check the radio
  2. A distress call requiring immediate response Correct answer.
  3. A routine weather report
  4. A request for a pilot

Explanation

The word 'Mayday' repeated three times is the international distress signal, meaning grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. The message includes the vessel name and position so rescuers can respond. Routine, pilot, and test calls use different prowords.

Question 24English Communication Skills

An extract reads: "The vessel, having completed loading, departed at 1400; however, it was later recalled because a cargo document was missing." Why was the vessel recalled?

  1. Because the departure time was wrong
  2. Because a cargo document was missing Correct answer.
  3. Because the loading was incomplete
  4. Because the weather deteriorated

Explanation

The clause introduced by 'because' gives the reason for the recall: a cargo document was missing. The extract explicitly says loading was completed, and no weather problem is mentioned. Identifying the causal clause is the key reading skill here.

Question 25English Communication Skills

In a formal incident report, which sentence maintains the objective, impersonal register expected?

  1. We totally freaked out but got the fire out fast.
  2. The fire was extinguished by the crew within ten minutes. Correct answer.
  3. The fire got sorted out in no time by the guys.
  4. Somebody put the fire out, I guess, pretty quickly.

Explanation

Formal reports use neutral vocabulary, precise time references, and often the passive voice to keep focus on events rather than personalities. The first option meets these standards. Slang, hedging, and casual phrasing are unsuitable in official documentation.

Question 26English Communication Skills

A vessel's deck log records: "The bosun reported that the forward mooring line had parted." Which statement correctly reports this in indirect speech for a summary to the office?

  1. The bosun reported that the forward mooring line parts.
  2. The bosun reported that the forward mooring line had parted. Correct answer.
  3. The bosun reports that the forward mooring line has parted.
  4. The bosun reported if the forward mooring line had parted.

Explanation

When a past-tense reporting verb such as 'reported' introduces the clause, the original past event is normally backshifted, so 'had parted' stays as past perfect and the tense sequence remains consistent. The summary must also keep the statement as a statement, not turn it into a question. Option 0 preserves both the reported meaning and the correct tense sequence.

Question 27English Communication Skills

A pilot card instruction reads: "Mooring lines to be tended continuously while alongside." What is the crew required to do?

  1. Keep watch on and adjust the mooring lines at all times during the stay alongside. Correct answer.
  2. Replace all mooring lines with new ones before berthing.
  3. Tend the mooring lines only during cargo operations.
  4. Slack off every mooring line once the vessel is secured.

Explanation

'Tended continuously' means lines are watched and adjusted without interruption while the vessel remains alongside, so that slack or strain is corrected as tide and trim change. 'Continuously' excludes limiting the task to cargo work or a single moment. The instruction concerns monitoring and adjustment, not replacement or deliberate slacking.

Question 28English Communication Skills

In a safety briefing you must warn the crew about a risk that is likely to cause injury. Which sentence uses the correct modal to express strong obligation?

  1. Crew may wear helmets when working on the foredeck.
  2. Crew could wear helmets when working on the foredeck.
  3. Crew must wear helmets when working on the foredeck. Correct answer.
  4. Crew might wear helmets when working on the foredeck.

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation or a firm requirement, which suits a safety rule that is not optional. The other modals express permission or possibility, weakening a mandatory instruction into a choice. In a briefing, the modal chosen determines whether the crew understands the rule as compulsory.

Question 29English Communication Skills

A VHF exchange includes the phrase: "Stand by on channel one six." What does the speaker want the other station to do?

  1. Switch off the radio and resume normal watch.
  2. Change to a working channel to continue the conversation.
  3. Repeat the previous message on the same channel.
  4. Remain listening on channel 16 and wait for the next transmission. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Stand by' tells the receiving station to stay ready and keep listening without transmitting, and 'on channel one six' specifies the channel to monitor. It is not an instruction to change channel or to repeat a message. The station should simply wait for the next call on that channel.

Question 30English Communication Skills

You are drafting a passage plan note and want to say that the vessel will pass a headland and then alter course. Which sentence uses the correct sequence connectors to show the order of events?

  1. The vessel will pass the headland and then alter course to starboard. Correct answer.
  2. The vessel will pass the headland after it alters course to starboard.
  3. The vessel will pass the headland, but it will alter course to starboard.
  4. The vessel will pass the headland, or it will alter course to starboard.

Explanation

'And then' clearly marks one action following another, which matches the intended order: pass the headland first, alter course second. The other connectors either reverse the order, express contrast, or present alternatives. In passage planning notes the sequence of waypoints and course changes must be unambiguous.

Question 31English Communication Skills

A message from the engine room reads: "The auxiliary engine, which had been running for six hours, stopped suddenly." Which element does the clause 'which had been running for six hours' add to the sentence?

  1. A command to restart the engine.
  2. A condition that must be met before the engine stops.
  3. The main action of the sentence.
  4. Extra identifying detail about the engine and its running time. Correct answer.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause introduced by 'which' adds descriptive information about the noun without changing the main statement. The main action remains 'stopped suddenly', and the clause only supplies background on how long the engine had been running. It neither states a condition nor issues an instruction.

Question 32English Communication Skills

A draft report sentence reads: "The leak was found in the pipe that runs between the pump and the valve." Which rewrite removes the ambiguity about which pipe leaked?

  1. The leak was found in the pipe which runs between the pump and the valve.
  2. The leak was found in the pipe, it runs between the pump and the valve.
  3. The leak was found in the pipe, that runs between the pump and the valve.
  4. The leak was found in the pipe running between the pump and the valve. Correct answer.

Explanation

A reduced relative clause using the participle 'running between the pump and the valve' identifies the pipe clearly and concisely, without a comma that would turn the information into a non-essential aside. The other versions either misuse punctuation with 'that' or create a comma splice. Clear identification of the affected component matters in a defect report.

Question 33English Communication Skills

In a stability note you write: "The vessel is loaded more heavily than last voyage." Which correction makes the comparison grammatically complete?

  1. The vessel is loaded more heavily than it was on the last voyage. Correct answer.
  2. The vessel is loaded more heavily than on the last voyage it did.
  3. The vessel is loaded most heavily than last voyage.
  4. The vessel is loaded more heavily than last voyage was loaded heavy.

Explanation

A comparative must compare like with like, so the clause needs a subject and verb that parallel the first part: 'than it was on the last voyage'. Supplying 'it was' makes the comparison between the vessel's loading now and its loading then. The other options distort the comparative form or the word order.

Question 34English Communication Skills

A port authority notice states: "Vessels exceeding 200 metres in length shall not enter the inner harbour without a pilot." Which situation is permitted under this notice?

  1. A 180-metre vessel entering the inner harbour with a pilot on board.
  2. A 250-metre vessel entering the inner harbour without a pilot at night.
  3. A 250-metre vessel entering the inner harbour with a pilot on board. Correct answer.
  4. A 250-metre vessel entering the inner harbour without a pilot.

Explanation

The rule prohibits entry without a pilot only for vessels over 200 metres, so a 250-metre vessel may enter if a pilot is on board. The length threshold and the pilot condition must both be read together. Time of day is not mentioned, so it cannot create an exception.

Question 35English Communication Skills

You must describe a defect that has existed since the vessel was delivered. Which sentence uses the present perfect correctly?

  1. The steering gear was noisy since delivery.
  2. The steering gear is noisy since delivery.
  3. The steering gear has been noisy since delivery. Correct answer.
  4. The steering gear will be noisy since delivery.

Explanation

The present perfect ('has been') links a situation that began in the past with the present, which is exactly what 'since delivery' requires. The simple present and simple past do not combine correctly with 'since' to express duration up to now. The future form contradicts the meaning of 'since'.

Question 36English Communication Skills

A message reads: "The vessel is expected to arrive at the anchorage at 0600 local time, weather permitting." What does 'weather permitting' indicate?

  1. The arrival depends on weather conditions being suitable. Correct answer.
  2. The arrival time is guaranteed regardless of conditions.
  3. The vessel will not arrive if there is any weather at all.
  4. The weather forecast has been cancelled.

Explanation

'Weather permitting' is a conditional phrase meaning the stated plan holds only if conditions allow. It qualifies the estimated arrival time without cancelling it. It does not guarantee arrival or refer to a forecast being withdrawn.

Question 37English Communication Skills

In a formal accident report you must describe what the injured crew member did. Which sentence keeps the objective, impersonal register required?

  1. The crew member, as everyone knows, caused the whole accident.
  2. The crew member was injured after the hatch was left unsecured. Correct answer.
  3. The crew member should have known better than to leave the hatch open.
  4. The crew member stupidly forgot to secure the hatch.

Explanation

An objective report states observable facts and sequence without blame or judgement, which option 1 does by linking the injury to an unsecured hatch. Evaluative words such as 'stupidly' or 'should have known better' introduce opinion and undermine the report's neutrality. Formal incident reports avoid personal criticism and unsupported conclusions.

Question 38English Communication Skills

A charter party clause reads: "The vessel shall be off-hire if the cargo tanks are not clean enough to load the intended cargo, provided the charterers have given notice." Which statement best captures the condition for off-hire?

  1. Off-hire applies only if the tanks are clean.
  2. Off-hire applies only if the intended cargo changes.
  3. Off-hire applies only if the charterers give notice and the tanks are unfit for the intended cargo. Correct answer.
  4. Off-hire applies automatically whenever any cleaning takes place.

Explanation

The clause sets two conditions for off-hire: the tanks fail the cleanliness standard for the intended cargo, and the charterers have given notice. Both must be satisfied, so the statement joining them with 'and' is the accurate reading. Neither condition alone is sufficient.

Question 39English Communication Skills

A passage-plan note reads: "The vessel will pass the headland and then alter course to starboard, provided the traffic separation scheme is clear." Which statement is the most accurate summary?

  1. The vessel will not pass the headland at all.
  2. The vessel will alter course to port after the headland.
  3. The course alteration depends on the traffic separation scheme being clear. Correct answer.
  4. The course alteration always happens at the headland.

Explanation

'Provided' introduces a condition, so the planned course alteration is contingent on the traffic separation scheme being clear. The sequence of passing the headland and then altering to starboard is stated, but it is not unconditional. Reading the conditional correctly is essential to avoid executing a manoeuvre when conditions do not allow it.

Question 40English Communication Skills

A log entry reads: "Had the watchkeeper checked the sounding tape, the overflow would have been detected earlier." What does the sentence imply about the overflow?

  1. It was detected earlier because the tape was checked.
  2. It could not have been detected at all.
  3. It was not detected earlier, though checking the tape would have prevented it. Correct answer.
  4. It will be detected earlier in future.

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence, which describes an unreal past: the watchkeeper did not check the tape, and the overflow was therefore not detected earlier. The 'would have' clause states the hypothetical result that did not occur. It does not describe a present or future situation, nor an impossibility.

Question 41Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A sailor must convert a distance of 3.5 nautical miles into metres. Given that 1 nautical mile equals 1,852 metres, which value is correct?

  1. 6,482 metres Correct answer.
  2. 6,852 metres
  3. 7,408 metres
  4. 5,556 metres

Explanation

Multiply the number of nautical miles by the metre equivalent of one nautical mile: 3.5 × 1,852. The product is 6,482 metres, so the conversion is direct multiplication with no rounding needed.

Question 42Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A vessel's log records a speed of 12 knots. Using 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour, how far will the vessel travel in 4 hours at that speed?

  1. 48 nautical miles Correct answer.
  2. 36 nautical miles
  3. 52 nautical miles
  4. 44 nautical miles

Explanation

Distance equals speed multiplied by time, so 12 nautical miles per hour × 4 hours = 48 nautical miles. The knot unit already expresses nautical miles per hour, so no further conversion is needed.

Question 43Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A watchkeeper notes the time as 14:45. Expressed in the 12-hour clock with the correct suffix, this is:

  1. 4:45 PM
  2. 2:45 PM Correct answer.
  3. 12:45 PM
  4. 2:45 AM

Explanation

Times from 13:00 to 23:59 are afternoon or evening, so subtract 12 from the hour: 14 − 12 = 2. The result is 2:45 PM, since hours 12 through 23 fall after noon.

Question 44Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A bearing is given as 247°. What is the equivalent compass direction in the standard 16-point system?

  1. South-southwest
  2. West-southwest Correct answer.
  3. West-northwest
  4. Southwest

Explanation

Each of the 16 compass points spans 22.5°, and 247° lies between 225° (southwest) and 270° (west). The midpoint of that sector is 247.5°, which is west-southwest, so 247° rounds to west-southwest.

Question 45Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A ship's tank holds 48,000 litres of fresh water. If the crew consumes 3,200 litres per day, how many full days will the supply last?

  1. 14 days
  2. 15 days Correct answer.
  3. 12 days
  4. 18 days

Explanation

Divide the total supply by the daily consumption: 48,000 ÷ 3,200 = 15. Since the result is a whole number, the supply lasts exactly 15 full days.

Question 46Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A navigator measures an angle of 37.5° and must record it in degrees and minutes. Which value is correct?

  1. 37° 50′
  2. 37° 30′ Correct answer.
  3. 37° 15′
  4. 37° 05′

Explanation

There are 60 minutes in one degree, so multiply the decimal part by 60: 0.5 × 60 = 30. Thus 37.5° equals 37° 30′.

Question 47Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A ship steams due north for 9 nautical miles and then due east for 12 nautical miles. What is the straight-line distance from the starting point to the final position?

  1. 13 nautical miles
  2. 21 nautical miles
  3. 18 nautical miles
  4. 15 nautical miles Correct answer.

Explanation

The two legs are perpendicular, forming a right triangle, so apply Pythagoras: √(9² + 12²) = √(81 + 144) = √225 = 15. The straight-line distance is therefore 15 nautical miles.

Question 48Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A radar display shows a contact at 6.4 centimetres from the centre. If the scale is 1 centimetre = 2.5 nautical miles, what is the range to the contact?

  1. 8.9 nautical miles
  2. 19 nautical miles
  3. 12.8 nautical miles
  4. 16 nautical miles Correct answer.

Explanation

Multiply the measured distance by the scale factor: 6.4 × 2.5 = 16. The contact is therefore 16 nautical miles from the vessel.

Question 49Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A tide table shows high water at 06:00 with a height of 4.2 metres and low water at 12:00 with a height of 1.0 metre. What is the tidal range?

  1. 3.2 metres Correct answer.
  2. 4.2 metres
  3. 2.1 metres
  4. 5.2 metres

Explanation

Tidal range is the difference between high-water and low-water heights: 4.2 − 1.0 = 3.2 metres. Range is always a positive difference between the two extremes.

Question 50Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning

A sailor converts a temperature reading of 25 °C to Fahrenheit using F = (9/5)C + 32. What value results?

  1. 45 °F
  2. 68 °F
  3. 82 °F
  4. 77 °F Correct answer.

Explanation

Substitute 25 into the formula: (9/5) × 25 = 45, then add 32 to get 77 °F. The order of operations matters, so multiply before adding.