Apprenticeship entrance exam

Here is a list of general knowledge required prior to learning maritime pilotage.

Maps and navigation aids

1.1 Navigation charts, projections, scale, their function as an aid to navigation, and recommendations for their use

1.2 The reference data to which the depths and heights indicated on the charts refer, including draft information.

1.3 Various Canadian nautical publications and their uses.

1.4 Converting true roads into magnetic and compass roads and vice versa using declination and a deviation chart.

1.5 Determining compass deviation or error by taking bearings on two objects in alignment.

1.6 Determining true course (ground) when the compass course, ship speed, current direction and speed, and correction for drift are known.

1.7 Determining the route to follow, taking into account the direction of the current and the drift of the current.

1.8 The positioning of a vessel by means of:

• Simultaneous cross-readings;
• Visual bearing and radar distance, or bearing and radar distance;
• Plotting one or more objects when the distance traveled between plot points and the drift due to the current are known.

1.9 The distance at which the ship will pass offshore from a given point.

1.10 The code of practice and navigation methods.

1.11 The Canadian navigational aids system.

1.12 Radar operation and risks of errors during use (basic principles).

1.13 Basic principles, limitations of use, accuracy, and system errors, overview of standards, for the following navigation instruments:

• Echo sounder;
• Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS);
• GPS and DGPS;
• AIS;
• Loch.

Methodology

2.1 Different winds and the phenomena that cause them.

2.2 Different frontal systems.

2.3 Marine weather forecasts and marine warnings by radio.

Tides

3.1 Factors that cause tides: the sun, the moon, and the role they play.

3.2 Definition of the following terms: tide, tidal current, current, high tide, low tide, spring tide, mean tide, reference port, secondary port, tidal range, slack water, tidal height, ebb tide, flood tide, slack water, tidal reversal.

3.3 The effects of weather conditions on the predicted height of a tide.

3.4 Calculating the times and heights of high and low tides at reference ports and secondary ports.

3.5 Calculating the tide height at a specified time and, subsequently, the water depth at a given point.

3.6 Calculating the times between which there will be a minimum water depth at a given point or a minimum tide height.

Regulations

4.1 The Collision Regulations and Canadian amendments.

Dynamics and stability

5.1 Sinking, its nature, causes, and effects.

5.2 The speed of the vessel within a limited and narrow channel and its effects.

5.3 The clearance under the keel and its effects on maneuvering.

5.4 The bow cushion, its nature, causes, and effects.

5.5 Stern suction, its nature, causes, and effects.

5.6 The effect of high tide, its nature and causes.

5.7 Interaction between vessels, encounters, and overtaking in restricted channels. The nature of the phenomenon, causes, effects, prevention, and measures to be taken.

5.8 Stopping distance; emergency stopping, stopping methods in a restricted channel, factors to consider.

5.9 Turning circle, factors affecting turning circle and turning within a restricted space.

5.10 Directional stability of ships in motion.

5.11 Inertia and momentum, their nature and effects.

5.12 The pivot point, consideration of the pivot point during maneuvering.

5.13 Increase in draft due to heel.

5.14 Effects of trim on draft, effects of trim on maneuvering.

5.15 Air draft, effects of trim on air draft.

5.16 Sinking due to water density and related calculations.

5.17 Behavior of the ship according to the position of its center of gravity, effect of a low GM on the ship.

General operation of the vessel

6.1 The different types of propulsion, their advantages and disadvantages:

• Steam turbines;
• Diesel propulsion;
• Diesel-electric propulsion;
• Gas turbines.

6.2 Propellers and the effect of different types of propellers on maneuvering:

• Propeller pitch;
• Uncontrollable;
• The direction of rotation;
• Their effectiveness;
• The advantages and disadvantages;
• Ships with two propellers;
• Maneuver control system;
• Azipodes;
• Precautions to take to prevent propeller entanglement.

6.3 Rudders:

• Types of rudders;
• Suspended;
• Semi-suspended;
• Duct or propeller nozzle (Kort Nozzle);
• Azimuth steerable propellers (azipods);
• Protection of the steering gear in ice.

6.4 Stabilizers, their usefulness, effectiveness, and limitations.

6.5 Bow thrusters, their effectiveness and limitations.

6.6 Manual, automatic, and emergency operation of steering gear systems on the bridge.

6.7 The effects of the elements on maneuvering, wind, current, ice clearance under the keel, visibility, etc.

6.8 Approach maneuver for docking alongside another vessel.

6.9 Maneuver for entering a lock.

6.10 Maneuvering the vessel with minimum drift.

6.11 Maneuver for turning around buoys.

6.12 Towing:

• The different types of tugboats, their advantages, and their limitations;
• The use of tugboats during docking and departure maneuvers;
• Towing and trailer behavior.

6.13 Anchoring maneuvers:

• Anchoring maneuvers, factors to consider, space under the keel, maneuverability area, nature of the seabed, weather, natural elements;
• The use of anchors during maneuvering (Dredging anchors);
• The amount of chain to be used according to standard practice and also in certain specific cases, and knowledge of the various methods of mooring;
• Anchoring with two anchors;
• Methods for checking whether a vessel is drifting while at anchor and measures to be taken in such circumstances.

6.14 Emergency maneuvers:

• The maneuver to go from high speed to low speed and to a complete stop, emergency stop maneuver;
• How to anchor in an emergency;
• Emergency procedures when someone falls overboard;
• The procedure for maneuvering in the event of a failure or when only part of the power is available;
• Actions to take in the event of a collision or grounding;
• Procedure to be followed when it is necessary to beach a vessel.

6.15 Winter navigation:

• Means of reinforcement and protection against ice for the propeller and rudder;
• The basic principles of ice navigation, the requirements and conditions for a vessel navigating in ice;
• The condition of the ice, its thickness, concentration, etc.;
• The basic principles of approaching and penetrating ice and actions to be taken during maneuvers according to the ship's classification;
• The problem of frazil ice and measures to prevent cooling water intakes from becoming blocked in winter.