SQA HNC Nautical Science
Unit Title: Chart work & Tides
Unit Code: FOLV 34
Outcome 2
Marks 25
Time Allowed 1 Hr.
Chart 5047, Deviation Card on the last page, all landmark positions are approximate.
Q2
At 1000 hrs, MV Lowestoft, on a passage from Barnstaple Bay to Carmarthen Bay is in DR
position 51°07’N, 004°20’W, on a heading of 350°(C).
A W’ly wind causing 3° leeway is present throughout. The Log Reading was reset to 0.
At 1000 hrs, Bull Point Light (51°12’N, 004°12’W) is observed to be changing from White
to Red bearing 064°(C).
(a) Find the Deviation for the Ship’s heading. (5)
(b) Compare the Deviation with the attached Deviation Card and comment. (3)
At 1230 hrs., heading was altered to 310°(C) when the log reading was 15.
At 1410 hrs., heading was altered to 010°(C) when the log reading was 25.
At 1500 hrs. when the log reading was 30, the southern edge of Caldey Island (51°38’N,
004°42’W) was observed to be 5 miles on the port side.
Tidal Stream was estimated to be as follows:
0830 to 1130 – SE’ly 2 knots
1130 to 1330 – NE’ly 2 knots
1330 to 1600 – N’ly 2.5 knots
(c) Find the Vessel’s position at 1500 hrs. (10)
(d) What is the Relative Bearing of Caldey Island Light. (3)
(e) What is the information obtained from the symbol in position 51°36.3’N, 004°32’W. (4)
Marking Scheme
True Bearing of Bull Point Light when changing from White to Red – 058° T
Compass Bearing of the Light when changing from White to Red – 064° C
Error – 6° W
Variation (from Chart) – 5.4° W 8°35’W (1979) decreasing 5’ annually
a) Deviation – 0.6° W 2017 – 1979 = 38
38 x 5’ = 190’ = 3.17°
8°35’W – 3.17° = 5.4° W
1 Mark for plotting the bearing line on the Chart, 1 Mark for True Bearing, 2 Marks for
calculating Variation from Chart, 1 Mark for calculating the correct Deviation = total 5 marks.
b) Heading 350° C, Deviation from Card – 0.75° W, whereas Deviation from plotting is
0.6° W
3 Marks for correctly calculating the Deviation from the attached Card.
Time C. Co Dev Var T. Co L’way WT Log Dist.
1000 – 1230 350 0.6 W 5.4 W 344 3° W 347 15 – 0 15
1230 – 1410 310 2.75 W 5.4 W 301.8 3° W 305 25 – 15 10
1410 – 1500 010 0.75 E 5.4 W 005.3 3° W 008 30 – 25 5
Set Rate Drift
1000 – 1130 135 2 3
1130 – 1330 045 2 4
1330 – 1500 000 2.5 3.75
Plot the above Water Tracks and then plot the 3 legs of tidal streams. Transfer the initial
position line (bearing line from Bull Point Light) to the end of the tidal stream legs. From
Caldey Island, draw a range circle of 5 miles which will cut the transferred position line at 2
points. The correct position of the Vessel is 51°37.2’ N, 004°33.0’ W.
3 Marks for the above table showing each Water Track and each tidal stream leg. Table need
not be drawn as long as the calculation of each leg is shown. 3 marks for correctly plotting
the legs on the chart. 1 mark for the transferred bearing line and the range circle. 3 marks for
the correct position = total 10 marks.
True bearing of Caldey Island Light = 277° T, True heading of Vessel = 005.3° T.
Relative bearing = 88.3° Port or 271.7° Relative.
1 mark for the correct true bearing, 2 marks for the correct relative bearing. Either Port or
Relative bearing is acceptable = total 3 marks.
Denotes a flooding tidal stream of 2 knots rate and denotes an
ebbing tide of 1.5 knots rate. The direction of the arrows indicate the true direction of
the tidal stream.
2 marks for mentioning the meaning of each symbol (flood or ebb) as well as mentioning the
true direction = total 4 marks.
SQA HNC Nautical Science
Unit Title: Chart work & Tides
Unit Code: FOLV 34
Outcome 3
Marks 25
Time Allowed 1 Hr.
Q3
SOLAS Chapter V requires a Master to have in place a Voyage Plan prior to the
commencement of a passage.
(a) Outline the information contained in Tidal Stream Atlas which would be used in the Appraisal
stage (5)
The Tidal Stream Atlases are for the areas around the British Isles. The books are referred to
a Standard Port and have chartlets for a particular area showing the spring and neap rates and
direction of the tidal streams for 6 hours before and after high water.
1 mark for each of the above highlighted points = total 5 marks.
(b) State 5 factors to be considered during the Planning stage to determine Safe Speed. (5)
As per COLREGs Part B, Section 1:
1. State of visibility
2. Traffic density
3. Manoeuvrability
4. Background light from shore or back scatter of own light
5. Weather conditions
6. Proximity to navigational hazards
7. Draught in relation to depth
Additionally for ships with operational radar, another 6 points
Any 5 of the above points, 1 mark for each = 5 Marks
(c) For Contingency Planning, explain how an Anchorage area can be chosen. (5)
1. Sufficient navigation aids for plotting
2. Nature of holding ground, presence of obstructions
3. Shelter from winds, tidal streams
4. Sufficient depth (2 to 3 times the draft)
5. Sufficient swinging room
6. Duration of anchorage stay
7. Clear from Shipping lanes, port approaches
Any 5 of the above points, 1 mark for each = 5 Marks.
(d) With reference to Execution and Position Monitoring for an intended passage, explain with
the aid of sketches, the principle and use of EACH of the following:
(i) Clearing Bearings (5)
Clearing bearings are marked on a chart as NMT (not more than) or NLT (not less
than) and provide the mariner with an effective way to monitor the progress of the
vessel passed a navigational danger.
Q 18M
3 marks for a correct diagram + 2 marks for explanation = 5 marks.
(ii) Leading Lights (5)
Provides the mariner with a recommended track into and out of a port. If the leading
lights are viewed in a vertical line as the vessel proceeds inwards/outwards then the
vessel is on the recommended track. If the lights have a horizontal separation when
viewed then the vessel is to port or starboard of the recommended track. Leading lights
provide a way of monitoring the Vessel’s progress and cannot be used as a substitute
for position fixing.
For example:
Vessel is maintaining the recommended track
Vessel has to alter to starboard to be on the recommended track
Vessel has to alter to port to be on the recommended track
