Navigation Honor

Recreational Activities

Requirements

1. Know at least 20 nautical terms used in navigation.

   Answer: 20 nautical terms used in navigation: 1) Bow — the front part of the vessel. 2) Stern — the rear part. 3) Port — the left side (facing the bow). 4) Starboard — the right side. 5) Hull — the body/structure of the boat. 6) Deck — the upper floor/covering. 7) Keel — the lower central piece, the backbone of the hull. 8) Rudder — the piece that steers the direction. 9) Helm — the wheel/tiller that controls the rudder. 10) Anchor — the piece that holds the boat to the bottom. 11) Anchor rode/cable — the chain/cable of the anchor. 12) Line — nautical rope. 13) Abeam/beam — the lateral direction. 14) Draft — the depth to which the hull submerges. 15) Stowage — the arrangement of the cargo. 16) To sail (singrar) — to navigate. 17) To head up (aproar) — to turn the bow toward a certain direction. 18) To heel (adernar) — to tilt the vessel to one of the sides. 19) To dock (atracar) — to come alongside/moor at the quay. 20) To anchor (fundear) — to cast anchor to stop. (Others: knot = unit of speed; nautical mile; ahead (vante) = forward; astern (ré) = behind; leeward and windward = the sheltered side and the wind side.) — The 20 basic nautical terms: bow (front), stern (rear), starboard (right facing the bow), port (left), hull (body of the vessel), rudder (direction), mast (supports sails), sail (catches wind), anchor (fixes to the bottom), hatch (access opening), deck (upper floor), keel (lower central structure), rigging (set of lines), bathymetry (depth measurement), draft (submerged depth), drift (deviation caused by currents), day's run (distance covered in 24h), wake (the trail left behind), nautical mile (1852 m), knot (1 nautical mile/h).

2. Cite at least three types of distress calls in navigation and their characteristics. In a dangerous situation, by whom are these calls made?

   Answer: Three types of distress calls in navigation and their characteristics: 1) MAYDAY — a distress call by VHF radio (channel 16) repeated three times; used in grave and imminent danger with a risk of life or loss of the vessel (maximum priority). 2) Visual/pyrotechnic signals — rockets and red flares, smoke signals (orange smoke by day), a signaling mirror, and a flag; they indicate an emergency and position. 3) Sound and gestural signals — whistle/horn/bell in continuous sequence, and the gesture of slowly opening and closing the arms up and down (the international distress signal); used when there is no radio. (Complementary: DSC/EPIRB — a radio beacon that emits its position via satellite; the NC flag of the International Code.) In a dangerous situation, these calls are made by the captain (or by any crew member on board) of the vessel in distress, and they can be relayed by other vessels or coastal radio stations that receive the call. — Mayday comes from the French 'm'aider' (help me). Pan-Pan from the French 'panne' (breakdown). The SOLAS convention regulates signals. EPIRB is an emergency beacon via satellite. Pyrotechnics have an expiration date — check before a trip. The captain is legally responsible for issuing distress calls.

3. Name 6 types of buoys. What do they mean and how are they used? Give the colors of the ones you named. How are buoys numbered? How do you make markings in channels?

   Answer: Six types of buoys, meaning, use and colors: 1) Port (lateral) buoy — green, kept to the left when entering the channel coming from the sea; ODD numbering. 2) Starboard (lateral) buoy — red, kept to the right when entering the channel; EVEN numbering. 3) Bifurcation/preferred channel buoy — red and green stripes, indicates a division of channels (the color of the top shows the main channel). 4) Safe water/mid-channel buoy — vertical red and white stripes, indicates navigable water all around and the center of the channel. 5) Isolated danger buoy — black with red band(s) and two black spheres on top, marks an isolated danger with navigable water around it. 6) Special mark buoy — yellow, indicates special areas (maneuvering zone, anchorage, cables, pipelines, regatta). Numbering: buoys are numbered in increasing sequence from the sea toward the port/land — odd to the left (green) and even to the right (red). Marking in channels: when entering (from the sea to the port) keep red to the right and green to the left ('Red Right Returning'); when leaving, the reverse. — The 6 basic types: 1) Green lateral (starboard when entering) — odd numbers. 2) Red lateral (port when entering) — even. 3) Cardinal (north, south, east, west) — indicates danger, escape by the safe side. 4) Safe water (red/white striped) — middle of the channel. 5) Isolated danger (black with red band) — a specific danger. 6) Special mark (yellow) — anchorage area, regatta, etc. Numbering: odd green (starboard), even red (port), increasing from the sea to the port.

4. Install a compass, with eight cardinal points. Why is it so important in navigation? Where should it be located on the vessel and why?

   Answer: 1) The 8 cardinal and intercardinal points: N (North), NE (Northeast), E (East), SE (Southeast), S (South), SW (Southwest), W (West) and NW (Northwest). 2) Why it is so important: the compass indicates the bearing (direction) to follow even without visible reference points — in open sea, fog or at night —, allowing you to keep the correct course, plot routes and not get lost. 3) Where it should be and why: near the helm/command post, in a fixed location, clearly visible to the helmsman and level, and away from metallic objects, speakers, engines and electronic equipment that generate magnetic fields, since these elements cause deviations (compass deviation) and would make the compass point wrong. — The compass uses the Earth's magnetism. Steel/electronics deflect the needle (a problem called 'deviation'). Compensators correct it. Traditional dry compass vs. modern liquid compass. GPS can fail; a compass needs no battery. A fundamental skill of the navigator.

5. Cite the names of 4 of the most used knots in navigation. Know how to tie them and explain their functions.

   Answer: Four knots widely used in navigation and their functions: 1) Bowline — makes a fixed loop that does not slide or tighten; used for rescue, securing to rings/masts and hoisting people safely. 2) Sheet bend (or double sheet bend) — joins two lines, including of different thicknesses; used to join ropes and secure sails. 3) Clove hitch — quickly secures the line to a post, stake or bollard; used to moor the vessel when docking. 4) Reef knot (square knot) — joins two ends of the same line and closes packages/furls a sail; holds firm and unties easily. Knowing how to tie them: the bowline is made by forming a small eye, passing the end underneath, around the standing part and back through the eye ('the rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree and back into the hole'); the clove hitch is made with two crossed turns around the post. — The 4 main knots in navigation: 1) Bowline — a loop that does not tighten under load, ideal for rescue and securing to the bow. 2) Clove hitch — fixes a line to a post quickly. 3) Reef knot (square knot / sheet bend) — joins 2 lines of the same thickness. 4) Cleat hitch — fixes a line to an onboard cleat. Knowing how to tie and untie quickly is essential in emergencies.

6. Know how to read and interpret a nautical chart, know why it is of utmost importance for navigation in unknown waters. Cite some items that can be found on the chart, their symbols, and the marking of buoys.

   Answer: A nautical chart is a specific map of maritime (and river) areas used to plan and follow routes safely. To read and interpret it, observe the scale, the orientation (North), the latitudes/longitudes on the edges, the legend of symbols and the depths. It is of utmost importance in navigating unknown waters because it shows non-visible hazards (shoals, reefs, wrecks), the depths and the safe route, avoiding groundings and collisions. Items found on the chart and their symbols: depths/soundings (numbers scattered, in meters); seabed contour lines (isobaths); nature of the bottom (sand 'S', mud 'M', rock 'R', stone); hazards (reefs, submerged rocks with a '+' or asterisk, sunken hulls); lighthouses and lights (a star or magenta symbol with the characteristics of the light); landmarks (churches, towers, notable points); restricted areas and anchorages. Marking of buoys on the chart: lateral buoys appear as symbols with the corresponding color — green (port, odd) and red (starboard, even) —, each with its abbreviation and number, indicating the limits of the navigable channel. — The Navy publishes official Brazilian charts. Depths: small numbers in meters. Hazards: arrows for rocks. Lighthouses: stars with light characteristics. Digital charts (ECDIS) replace paper on modern ships. Knowing how to read is essential — GPS can fail.

7. When in command of a navigation, what are the three safety rules for navigating better?

   Answer: The three safety rules when commanding a voyage: 1) Know the vessel and check everything before departing — passenger and cargo capacity, fuel, engine, and safety equipment (life jackets for everyone, fire extinguisher, lifebuoy, flares, radio, anchor). 2) Know and respect the conditions and the environment — consult the weather forecast, tides and currents, know the route and the depth of the water, navigate at a safe speed and keep constant watch to avoid collisions and obstacles. 3) Know and comply with the rules of navigation and take a plan — follow the traffic/conduct rules (priority between vessels, buoy markings), leave a voyage plan with someone on land (route and expected time of return), and keep everyone with a life jacket and attentive to orders. — The COLREG Convention (1972) regulates international navigation. The captain is legally responsible for the vessel and crew. Pre-departure checks include: fuel, batteries, life jackets, communication, GPS. A weather bulletin is essential — the Navy issues forecasts. 24h watch on long voyages.

8. What does it mean to be properly equipped? Illustrate.

   Answer: To be equipped = to have the mandatory equipment in good condition: life jackets for everyone, fire extinguisher, lifebuoy, flares, VHF radio, GPS/compass, first aid kit, flashlight, anchor, bilge pump. — The Navy's NORMAM-201 lists the mandatory equipment. Life jackets in sufficient quantity. Valid flares (they have an expiration date). VHF radio for communication with the Port Authority. Larger vessels require more equipment. Heavy fines for lacking mandatory equipment.

9. What do the expressions "rules of the road" and "maritime etiquette" mean?

   Answer: Rules of conduct: rules (COLREG) that establish priority and maneuvers between vessels to avoid collisions (e.g., a sailing vessel has priority over a powered one; the one overtaking another must maneuver; the vessel on the right has priority at a crossing). Maritime ethics: a set of moral principles and good conduct at sea — helping those in danger (duty to rescue), respecting other vessels and the environment, not polluting, communicating courteously and acting with responsibility and solidarity. — COLREG 1972 (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) is a worldwide treaty. The vessel on the right has priority. In an emergency, any vessel must help (the law of the sea). Saving lives is a historic moral duty. New digital maritime traffic rules (AIS) also apply.