UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN Nautical Science
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester II - Paper IV - Voyage Planning and Collision Prevention I

Duration of Examination: 3 hrs
Maximum Marks: 100
Credits: 4

Section A - Voyage Planning

The Nautical Chart. Natural Scale, Types of projections, Title of Chart, Number of Chart, Date of Publication. Deciphering the symbols and abbreviations used on a nical chart. Units of soundings used. How to read latitude and longitude. The use of parallel rulers to lay down or read courses and using the nearest latitude scale for measuring distance. Correction from Notices to Mariners. To find the date the chart was last brought up to date. Small and large correction. Degree of reliability of inifonnation shown on the chart. Types of charts. Ocean charts, coastal charts, harbour plans, decca charts, consol charts, loran charts, routeing charts. The use of the admiralty catalogue to identify the charts required for voyage.

Meaning of chart datum. Reference point used for heights. Nature of bottom. Depth contours. Infonnation regarding lights. Height, colour and characteristics of lights. Use of leading lights for safe navigation in harbour. Horizontal sectors of lights and their use by navigators in keeping clear of submerged dangers to navigation. Use of sectors in laying courses. Use of clearing marks and horizontal and verticaL danger angles. Sailing round an arc.

True, magnetic and compass north. Variation. Annual rate of change of variation. How to obtain variation from date given on the compass rose. Deviation of the compass. The deviation card. True, magnetic and compass course. Conversion of one to another. The compass error for the ship's head. True, magnetic and compass bearings.

Conversion of one to another. Gyro Error, high and low, conversion of gyro courses to true course and vice versa. The effect of current on course made good. Set and drift. The effect of wind on course made good.. Leeway.. the dead reckoning position, estimated position and observed position

Section B - Collision Prevention

International regulations for preventing collisions at sea. Application. Exceptions for local rules or harbours etc. Exceptions for special class of ships. Responsibility for the consequence of neglect of rules. Definitions of terrn 'vessel' 'power driven vessel' 'sailing vessel' 'fishing vessel' 'seaplanes' 'vessel not under command' 'vessel restncted in ability to manoeurvre' 'constrained by draft' 'underway' 'restricted visibility' 'steering and sailing rules'

A. Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility

Maintenance of proper look out Maintenance of safe speed. Factors to be considered for determining safe speed. Determination of risk of collision with another vessel. Use of radar in determining risk of collision. use of visual bearings. Types of actions to be taken to avoid collision or close quarter situation. Conduct of vessels in narrow channels and when approaching blind bends: conduct of vessel in traffic separation schemes of International Maritime Organisation.

B. Conduct of vessels in sight of one another

Responsibility to keep out of way when two sailing vessels are on collision course. Responsibility to keep out of way when one vessel is overtaking another vessel of any type. Action to be taken by a vessel when meeting another vessel head on. Responsibility to keep out of way when two vessels are crossing each other. Action to avoid collision. Duty of the vessel which has the right of way. Action to be taken by such vessel required to keep out of way is not taking avoiding action. Right of way between a normal power driven vessel, a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in the ability, to maneuvre, a vessel engaged in fishing, a sailing vessel and a vessel constrained by her draft.

C. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Applicability. Determination of risk of collision when another vessel is detected by radar alone. Actions to be taken/avoid to prevent close quarter situation with a vessel detected on radar alone. Action to be taken when fog signal of another vessel is heard but vessel is not seen though it may have been detected by radar.

PRACTICAL

Voyage Planning

To find compass error by transit bearing.
To find the position of a point on the chart by its latitude and longitude
To find the position of a point on the chart by its bearing and distance from a navigational mark.
To plot ship's position given the compass bearings of two or more shore objects. The 'cocked hat' and the reasons for its formation.
To plot ship's position, given the rising or dipping bearing of a light. Caution during abnormal refraction.
To plot ship's position using three shore objects by horizontal sextant angles (given horizontal sextant angles less than 90, equal to 90 or greater than 90) -
To plot ship's position, given vertical sextant angels and bearing of a light house. To plot position lines obtained by Radio Aids to navigation.
To plot a position line obtained by a astronomical observation. To find compass course between two positions on the chart.
To find compass course to teer between two positions on the chart so as to counteract the given set and drift of current and given 'leeway'.
To find the course and speed made good and the set and drift, given the course steered, speed, duration and the initial and final observed positions.
To find the course from a given position so as to pass a light house at a given position so as to pass light house at a given distance when abeam.

Books Recommended for Reference

1. Chart work for mariners - Capt.Puri.S.K
2. Voyage Planning & Chart work - Capt.M.V.Naik & Capt. Varty
3. Nicholls Concise Guide Vol.I - Brown Son & Ferguson
4. Marine Chart Work - Moore.D.A
5. Rules for the Prevention of Collision at Sea - Bhandarkar Publications
6. Rule of the Road Manual - Capt.Puri.S.K
7. International Lights, Shape, and Sound Signals - Moore.D.A