Which way to turn and why?

[ohdrinkboy]

also depends on the definition of "pass." it is just a point on the water. if you are dead on and turn port or starboard you have passed it as it is now not dead ahead.

[bobofthenorth]

Generally on multiple guess exams the shortest answer is the correct one.

That's actually true but my point in this case is that poorly written multiple guess test questions are the norm and using them to identify seamanship or any other skill is a mug's game.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by bobofthenorth

Generally on multiple guess exams the shortest answer is the correct one.

That's actually true but my point in this case is that poorly written multiple guess test questions are the norm and using them to identify seamanship or any other skill is a mug's game.

Correct. A question like this that goes to operating the boat is better used in the practical/oral exam.

A better question would be - "What does a flashing white light seen at night signify?"

1. Safe water to the East
2. A vessel under tow
3. Safe water to the North
4. A boat at anchor

And so while 4 is possible, it is incorrect (for all you folks that like to display flashing leds at anchor - I knew I could turn this into an anchoring thread - LOL)

[limejucer]

Originally Posted by atoll

passed a north cardinal mark the other week to my port,marking the enterance to a channel,with a red bouy off to the west marking the other side.
only thing was we were doing nearly 8knots over the ground,but the barges flat out speed was only 3.5....go figger

And i logged 17.8 Nm i n one hour in my old sluggish Cat, the tides are real big in the Severn Estuary

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Correct. A question like this that goes to operating the boat is better used in the practical/oral exam.

A better question would be - "What does a flashing white light seen at night signify?"

1. Safe water to the East
2. A vessel under tow
3. Safe water to the North
4. A boat at anchor

And so while 4 is possible, it is incorrect (for all you folks that like to display flashing leds at anchor - I knew I could turn this into an anchoring thread - LOL)

None of the above would be correct. By definition, a flashing light flashes for.5 seconds and is eclipsed for 3.5 seconds, i.e. once every 4 seconds. A North Cardinal quick flashes (once per second) or very quick flashes (every .5 seconds).

[atoll]

Originally Posted by limejucer

And i logged 17.8 Nm i n one hour in my old sluggish Cat, the tides are real big in the Severn Estuary

its hard stopping when the current is faster than the boats theoretical hull speed!

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

1. Safe water to the East
2. A vessel under tow
3. Safe water to the North
4. A boat at anchor

5. Kayak with a headlamp set on "blink."

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Bash

5. Kayak with a headlamp set on "blink."

Under Rule 37 of the Inland rules, that kayak would be in distress.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Under Rule 37 of the Inland rules, that kayak would be in distress.

Yeah. It works really well when you get a dozen yaks all blinking at once.

(Although we were not subject to the inland rules last time I tried that.)

A great way to freak out flying fish, by the way.

[bewitched]

heh heh, it's south east asia - it could be anything. Not unusual to come across a 60ft trawler with nothing but a flashing light on it.

But as it was an exam question, I think we can assume that we need to consider what it should be, not what it could be.

Hong Kong has no Inland rules

Is there anything else that a quick flashing white light could be under Colregs / IALA other than a north cardinal?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by bewitched

Is there anything else that a quick flashing white light could be under Colregs / IALA other than a north cardinal?

Sorry. Just having a bit of fun with the sailing instructor.

The correct answer to your quiz was "D." An equally acceptable answer would have been to U-turn to 360 degrees and then heave to while consulting the chart, all the while watching out for kayaks, of course.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by bewitched

Is there anything else that a quick flashing white light could be under Colregs / IALA other than a north cardinal?

In the International Rules - No

In US inland rules a vessel pushed or towed along side. (Rule 24)

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by Bash

Sorry. Just having a bit of fun with the sailing instructor.

no problem

Originally Posted by Bash

The correct answer to your quiz was "D." An equally acceptable answer would have been to U-turn to 360 degrees and then heave to while consulting the chart, all the while watching out for kayaks, of course.

I would agree....if I came across the light unexpectedly....but the question doesn't specify that this is the case.

I would debate that it is a rare occurrence for a boat to stop just because it's in the vicinity of a cardinal mark.

Isn't it an equally valid scenario that you knew the cardinal mark was there and that you would choose a course that puts the boat on the correct side of it?

[IslandHopper]

You are over thinking what is a very simple and basic multiple choice Cardinal mark question, if you have plans to follow through with your tickets up to a Master Mariner (which i am) you will be given plenty of opportunities to overload your brain with theoretical Q & As..............this is not one of them.....

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by bewitched

The exam is for a Hong Kong local vessel licence, so I guess one can assume the location is Hong Kong (IALA).

Ah ha, assumptions based on scanty information