Maritime

English

Chapter 3: Navigation
 Course focus

•Maritime Vocabulary
•Grammar
•Reading/Comprehension Practice of
maritime text
•Writing in the Maritime Context
Navigation
Do this quiz to test your knowledge of
navigation.

1. The angles of a triangle add up to

degrees.
2. What is the circle halfway between the
north and south poles?
3. What do we call the lines running
north/south through the poles?
Do this quiz to test your knowledge of
navigation.

4. How many satellites do you need for a

gpS position?
a) One
b) Three
c) Twenty Four
1.180
2.Equator
3.Meridians
4.Three
Put these phrases into the correct gaps in the sentences

Is missing, A dangerous obstruction, Wide berth, Not

in operation, South southwest, Proceed with caution,
1 short flash
1. Information: The buoy north of Worm Rock makes the
following light signal: every five seconds.

2. Information: There are submerged wrecksof dead

Man’s Bay.

3. Advice: Avoid grounding and when passing close

to Dead Man’s Bay.
Put these phrases into the correct gaps in the sentences

4. Information: The lighthouse at Mouse Point is .

5. Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. There is in the

fairway.

6. Warning: Buoy . …… : Shoals are therefore not

marked.

7. Give a to the lighthouse at Duke Leopold

Cove.
1. 1 short flash
2. South southwest
3. Proceed with caution
4. Not in operation
5. A dangerous obstruction
6. Is missing,
7. Wide berth`
 Reading

Pre-reading discussion: what is a navigational

notice, who is it for and what do you expect it
to tell you? Read these 4 navigational notices
and choose the correct answers (a, b or c):
 Reading

A navigational notice is a communication issued

by maritime authorities or organizations to inform
and alert maritime navigators about specific
conditions or hazards that may affect navigation
or safety at sea. It is primarily for the benefit of
ship captains or operators, navigators, and other
personnel involved in maritime operations.
Reading

The content of a navigational notice typically

includes information about navigational hazards
like submerged or floating objects, changes in
navigational channels or routes, high or low
tides, weather conditions, temporary or
permanent obstructions, navigational aids like
lighthouses or buoys, and any other relevant
information that may impact safe navigation
 Reading

NoTICe A
Information: On 13th December the harbour
authority changed the fairway buoy to a
spherical red and white landfall buoy. The
light signal is the same: 1 long flash every 10
seconds.
 Questions
Which is the new buoy?
 Questions

Which statement is correct?

a) There is a new buoy and a new light
signal.
b) The light signal on the buoy is
changed.
c) The light signal is the same as before.
 Questions

Which is the light signal?

a) Light flashes on for ten seconds
b) After 10 seconds the light comes on
c) After ten seconds the light goes off
1. A
2. C
3. B
 NoTICe B

Harbour traffic control signals are on both

sides of the bridge. They give the following
instructions:
Signal: THree VerTICAL red lIgHTS action:
VeSSelS MUST NoT proceed
Signal: Two VerTICAL greeN LIgHTS oVer
oNe wHITe action: VeSSelS HAVe
perMISSIoN To proceed
1. What is on both sides of the bridge?
a) lights
b) harbour traffic control
c) Instructions

2. Which of these signals means ‘go ahead’?

A B C D
E
3. Which of the signals above means ‘do not
enter’?
4. Which is the correct message from the harbour
authority to a ship when the lights are two green
over white?
a) ‘I intend to proceed.’
b) ‘Instruction: proceed to berth.’
c) ‘Stop now.’
1. a
2. e
3. a
4. b
NoTICe c

Coast Guard Rcvd 2 Reports

All Nav Lts On The Railway Bridge Are Not In
Operation
Shoaling And A Missing Buoy At Mm 394.1.
All Mariners Are Req To Proceed With
Extreme Caution.
Questions

1. Find abbreviations in the notice that

mean:
a) ‘received’ b) ‘navigation’ c) ‘lights’ d)
‘required’
2. What does the first line of the notice
mean?
a) The Coast Guard has made two
reports.
3. The first report says:
a) ‘There are no navigation lights on the
railway bridge.’
b) ‘There are new navigation signals on the
railway bridge.’
c) ‘All navigation lights on the bridge are now
operating.’
4. The second report warns of:
d) deep water and no warning buoy
e) a new buoy and shallow water
5.The notice orders mariners to:
a) be careful
b) cross the area quickly
c) not proceed
1. a) Rcvd b) Nav c) Lts d)
Req
2.b
3.a
4.c
Before you listen, match each term
on the left with a definition.

• intended course • 0 degrees longitude

• fix • direction actually travelled
• dead reckoning • intersection of 2 Lines of Position
• prime meridian • direction you want to go
• bearing • North, South, East, West
• course made • where 2 Lines of Position meet
good • using course and speed to estimate
• drift present position
• intersection • compass reading
• cardinal points • movement because of current,
winds etc
Intended course- direction you want to go
Fix- compass reading
Dead reckoning- using course and speed to
estimate the present position
Prime meridian- 0 degrees’ longitude
Bearing - intersection of 2 Lines of Position
Course made good - direction actually
travelled
Drift - movement because of current, winds,
etc
Intersection - where 2 Lines of Position meet
Cardinal points- North, South, East, West
Complete this table with verbs in the
Simple Past tense:
rE gULA r IrrEgULAr
Sim ple P resent Sim ple P ast Sim ple P resent Sim ple Past
fix fixed is was/were
intersect make
travel give
head take
plot
drift
change
drop
reach
sight
Put these sentences into the past by writing
verbs in the spaces:
Example: The OoW made a dead reckoning of
the vessel’s position.
Give, is, plot, sail, intersect, change
1. At 14.00 UTC the vessels both on a
bearing of 2y0°.
2. The ship towards the harbor.
3. The two Lines of Position at 22°
03' N, 16° 15' e.
4. The vessel direction on a new
bearing.
5. We a wide berth to the
obstruction.
6. I a course for the vessel
1.At 14.00 UTC, the vessels were both on
a bearing of 270°.
2.The ship sailed towards the harbor.
3.The two Lines of Position intersected at
22° 03' N, 16° 15' E.
4.The vessel changed direction on a new
bearing.
5.We gave a wide berth to the
obstruction.
6.I plotted a course for the vessel and we
set off.
Vocabulary
Check if you know these words

Nouns
wreck ,buoy, shoals, caution, bearing,
heading, wide berth
Adjectives
Visible, invisible, sunken, vertical,
missing
Verbs
(to) flash, (to) proceed, (to) fix, (to)
drift, (to) plot, (to) intersect
Phrases of these messages are mixed up. Write
the sentences correctly:
1. Overtake/do not/do not overtake/repeat
2. correction / turn to starboard and pass
astern / you made mistake / turn to
port
3. change course / change course to two-
three zero / to two-three zero / repeat /
cV Passing Wind / Over
4. my position / is West 132° / Correction
West 132° / North 69°24'
5. understood / please say again / time
now is 02:58 UTC / all after UTC
1. Do not overtake, do not overtake, repeat.
2. Correction: turn to starboard and pass astern.
You made a mistake, turn to port.
3. Change course to two three zero, change course
to two three zero, repeat. CV Passing Wind, over.
4. Correction: my position is West 132° North
69°24', north West 133°.
5. Understood. The time now is 02:58 UTC, all
times are UTC
Match the following five numbers with their
spoken forms below

150 Wun-fiver

1.50 One five zero

1500 Wun-fiver decimal zero

15 Fifteen hundred

15.0 One decimal five zero

150 One five zero

1.50 One decimal five zero

1500 Fifteen hundred

15 Wun- fiver

15.0 Wun-fiver decimal zero

Structures
Simple Past

Study this description of a voyage

made in ı498 by Christopher
Columbus and underline all the verbs
in the Simple Past.
We left the port of Sanlúcar in southern
Spain on May 30, stopping in Madeira and
arriving in the Canary Islands on June 19.
We then set course for the Cape Verde
Islands. On July 4th we traveled southwest
from Cape Verdes but the wind dropped and
we drifted for eight days until the wind
returned.
On July 4th we steered southwest then changed
course north by east and headed for Dominica. We
sighted an island. We saw three hills and from these
landmarks we knew we were at Trinidad.
We took on water on the south coast of Trinidad and
later continued our journey along the coast of the
Paria Peninsula.
Late in August we reached the island of Margarita.
After a short rest we headed for Hispaniola on a
northwest by north course.
1. When did the ship leave the port of
Sanlúcar?
a) May 30 b) June 19 c) May 31
2. How many days did the ship drift
without wind?
a) 8 days b) 7 days c) 6 days
3. What island did they reach after
drifting?
a) Cape Verde Islands b) Trinidad c)
4. How did they know they were at
Trinidad?
a) They saw three hills
b) They took on water
c) They reached it on August 30
5. When did they reach the island of
Margarita?
a) Late in August
b) Early in July
c) Late in June
6. Where did they head after resting in
Margarita?
a) Cape Verde Islands b) Hispaniola c)
Canary Islands

7. How many stops did the ship make

before reaching the Canary Islands?
a) 1 stop b) 2 stops c) 3 stops

8. What direction did they steer on July

4th?
a) Northeast b) Northwest c) Southwest
9. Which peninsula did they continue their
journey along?
a) Paria Peninsula
b) Cape Verde Peninsula
c) Madeira Peninsula
10. What course did they take when
heading for Hispaniola?
a) Northwest by north
b) North by east
c) South by west
Study the following sentences. Say which is
a quantity, a size, a speed, a bearing, a call sign,
a time, a position, a distance
1. ‘I require six five – repeat six five litres. Over.’
2. ‘Answer: my maximum draft seven meters.’
3. ‘. . . one-four knots. Mistake. Correction, one-two, knots.’
4. ‘The buoy is zero three zero degrees on your port bow.’
5. ‘Victor Juliet Five-Zero, this is Echo Golf Niner-Three.’
6. ‘. . . last reported at 2008-Oct-04 zero four, four eight
hours UTC.’ (04:48 UTC)
7. I am at South five three degrees zero six seconds, West
zero seven zero degrees four eight minutes (S 53° 06', w
0y0° 48').
8. 8) ’You are two decimal four kilometres from Great Bar
lighthouse’.
1. b) a quantity
2. e) a size
3. f) a speed
4. g) a bearing
5. a) a call sign
6. d) a time
7. c) a position
8. h) a distance
 Study this transcript and
complete the record.
Caller: Calling all ships, all ships,
all ships calling unknown ship. Type:
tanker, hull red, course two-two-six,
speed: one six knots. This is M/V Suraya,
Hotel Romeo Golf Victoria – five, Hotel
Romeo Golf Victor – five. Over.
Responding vessel: Motor Vessel
Suraya, Hotel Romeo Golf Victor – five.
This Mo- tor Tanker Royal Star Six – Delta
Golf Foxtrot – four, tanker, hull: red,
course two-two-six, speed one six knots.
Caller

name:

call sign:
type of vessel:
Responding vessel

name:

call sign:
type of vessel:

description:

course:

speed:
Caller

name: M/V Suraya

call sign: Hotel Romeo Golf Victoria – five

type of vessel:
tanker
Responding vessel

name: Mo- tor Tanker Royal Star Six

call sign: Delta Golf Foxtrot – four

type of vessel: , tanker

description: , hull: red

course: two-two-six

speed: one six knots

Read this dialogue and answer the questions.

Solent Coastguard: All stations, all stations, all

stations. This is Solent Coast- guard, Solent
Coastguard, Solent Coastguard. Be advised: large
vessel entering Southampton Water, currently at
position ***brzzzz*** Out.
MV Jumbo Joe: Solent Coastguard, Solent
Coastguard, this is Echo Golf Three Niner. Say again
all after position. Over.
Solent Coastguard: All stations, All stations, this
is Solent Coastguard. I say again, large vessel
entering Southampton water, currently at posi- tion
one decimal two miles from Calshot Spit on bearing
one six five degrees. Vessel restricted in ability to
1. Which phrase can be replaced with the
message marker AdVICe?
2. What does currently mean?
3. What is Jumbo Joe’s call sign?
4. What words are used instead of repeat?
5. Which part of the message does MV
Jumbo Joe want to hear again?
1. Be advised
2. now/presently/at this moment/as we
speak
3. Echo Golf Three Niner
4. Say again all after
5. large vessel entering Southampton
water, currently at posi- tion one decimal
two miles from Calshot Spit on bearing
one six five degrees
6. Complete this information using
numbers only: Vessel is from Calshot
Spit. Vessel’s bearing is degrees.
7. What does vessel restricted in ability
to deviate from its course mean?
(choose from a, b and c)
a) Ship cannot change course easily
b) Ship is out of control
c) Ship is in the wrong position
8. What word means ‘get in the way’?
6. 1.2 miles, 165
7. a) Ship cannot change course easily
8. impede
Study the navigational warning and the text (on
the following page) which puts the navigational
warning into full sentences
Navigational notice
041630 UTC SEP
BALTIC SEA NAV WARN 008
KATTEGAT. BALTIC SEA. THE SOUND, GULF
OF FINLAND
V. LONG TOW (650 M) DEPART GRENEN
SWEDEN APPROX 042000 UTC SEP TO
PASS THROUGH DROGDEN
TOWBOAT ‘EUROSUND’ CALLSIGN OWFB2
WIDE BERTH REQUESTED
Warning in text

4th September 16.30 UTC

Baltic Sea navigational warning number 008
This navigational warning is for Kattegat, the
Baltic Sea, the Sound and the Gulf of Finland.
A very long tow of six hundred and fifty
metres departs Grenen in Sweden on
Septem- ber 4th at approximately 20.00 UTC.
The tow passes through Drogden. The name
of the tow boat is Eurosund. Its call sign is
Oscar Whiskey Foxtrot Bravo – two. Please
give a wide berth.
Study this navigational warning
and write it in full sentences

Navigational Warning
281400 UTC JUN
BALTIC SEA NAV WARN 007 SE BALTIC.
DERELICT SEMISUBMERGED YACHT
ADRIFT 55–32N 019–34E AT 280245 UTC
JUN.
Navigational notice
On June 28th at 14:00 UTC, a
navigational warning was issued for the
Baltic Sea.
The warning, numbered 007, pertains to
the southeast part of the Baltic Sea.
It informs mariners about a derelict
semi submerged yacht that is adrift at
coordinates 55°32'N 019°34'E.
This information was reported at 02:45
 Vocabulary (match words with explanation)
1. Mistake  A unit of measurement used to denote the speed of a vessel, equal to one
2. Advice nautical mile per hour.
3. Flash  A numerical system based on the powers of 10, including fractions and
4. Vicinity whole numbers.
5. Location  The main body or structure of a ship, boat, or other floating vessel, which
6. Knot provides buoyancy and resistance to the water.
7. Decimal  A unique combination of letters and numbers used to identify a particular
8. Hull vessel or station in radio communications.
9. Call sign  An adjustment made to a course, heading, or navigational data to account
10. Correcti for errors or deviations.
on  An error or misunderstanding that occurs in navigation or in following
proper procedures.
 Guidance or recommendation given by an experienced mariner or
authority to help make informed decisions or prevent potential issues.
 A short burst of light used for signaling or communication purposes, often
used in maritime contexts for Morse code transmissions.
 The area or region near a specific location or object, usually within a
reasonable distance or nearby proximity.
 The position or coordinates of a vessel, expressed in latitude and longitude,
that can be used to determine its exact place on the Earth’s surface
1. Knot: A unit of measurement used to denote the speed of a vessel, equal to
one nautical mile per hour.
2. Decimal: A numerical system based on the powers of 10, including fractions
and whole numbers.
3. Hull: The main body or structure of a ship, boat, or other floating vessel,
which provides buoyancy and resistance to the water.
4. Call sign: A unique combination of letters and numbers used to identify a
particular vessel or station in radio communications.
5. Correction: An adjustment made to a course, heading, or navigational data
to account for errors or deviations.
6. Mistake: An error or misunderstanding that occurs in navigation or in
following proper procedures.
7. Advice: Guidance or recommendation given by an experienced mariner or
authority to help make informed decisions or prevent potential issues.
8. Flash: A short burst of light used for signaling or communication purposes,
often used in maritime contexts for Morse code transmissions.
9. Vicinity: The area or region near a specific location or object, usually within
a reasonable distance or nearby proximity.
10. Location: The position or coordinates of a vessel, expressed in latitude and
longitude, that can be used to determine its exact place on the Earth’s surface
Abbreviations
write the following in full
UTC
Nav
c/V
M/V
UTC: Coordinated Universal Time, the
primary time standard by which the world
regulates clocks and time. It is within about
1 second of mean solar time at 0°
longitude, and is the basis of civil time today.
Nav: Navigation, the process of planning,
guiding, and controlling the movement of a
ship from one point to another.
c/v: Cargo vessel, a ship that is designed and
used to carry cargo.
m/v: Motor vessel, a ship that is powered by
an engine or engines.
 Match the following vessel types with
their explanation
Fishing vessel:  A ship that is designed and used to carry passengers.
Tugboat:  A ship that is designed and used to carry liquids, such as oil or
Dredger chemicals.
Passenger vessel
Tanker:  A ship that is designed and used to carry dry bulk cargo, such as
Bulk carrier grain or coal.
Container ship  A ship that is designed and used to carry containers.
Research vessel:  A ship that is designed and used for fishing.
Military vessel:
 A small, powerful ship that is used to tow other ships and barges.
 A ship that is used to dredge, or remove, sediment from the
seabed.
 A ship that is used for scientific research.
 A ship that is used for military purposes.
Passenger vessel: A ship that is designed and used to
carry passengers.
Tanker: A ship that is designed and used to carry
liquids, such as oil or chemicals.
Bulk carrier: A ship that is designed and used to carry
dry bulk cargo, such as grain or coal.
Container ship: A ship that is designed and used to
carry containers.
Fishing vessel: A ship that is designed and used for
fishing.
Tugboat: A small, powerful ship that is used to tow
other ships and barges.
Dredger: A ship that is used to dredge, or remove,
sediment from the seabed.
Research vessel: A ship that is used for scientific