Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term for the vessel closest to the wind when two sail vessels are on the same tack?
What is the term for the vessel closest to the wind when two sail vessels are on the same tack?
Windward yacht
When two vessels are on opposing tacks, the vessel on the __________ must give way.
When two vessels are on opposing tacks, the vessel on the __________ must give way.
Port Tack
All vessels should give way by reducing ________.
All vessels should give way by reducing ________.
Match the boat types with their navigation lights:
Match the boat types with their navigation lights:
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In Malta, a craft must not exceed 10 knots when closer than 300m to a sandy beach.
In Malta, a craft must not exceed 10 knots when closer than 300m to a sandy beach.
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A Nautical Mile is equal to how many Land Miles?
A Nautical Mile is equal to how many Land Miles?
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Match the navigation light with its corresponding purpose:
Match the navigation light with its corresponding purpose:
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What are the two types of lifejackets mentioned in the text?
What are the two types of lifejackets mentioned in the text?
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Lifejackets must have brightly coloured fabric, retro-reflective tape, a whistle, light, chest strap, and crotch strap.
Lifejackets must have brightly coloured fabric, retro-reflective tape, a whistle, light, chest strap, and crotch strap.
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What essential feature should be accessible at all times on an inflatable lifejacket?
What essential feature should be accessible at all times on an inflatable lifejacket?
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Lifejackets will only work if worn correctly, as the outermost layer and with ______ correctly tightened.
Lifejackets will only work if worn correctly, as the outermost layer and with ______ correctly tightened.
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What is the color of special marks used for various purposes like marking oceanographic buoys and wrecks?
What is the color of special marks used for various purposes like marking oceanographic buoys and wrecks?
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What is the top mark of special marks?
What is the top mark of special marks?
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What is the flashing characteristic of special marks? Yellow, any ____.
What is the flashing characteristic of special marks? Yellow, any ____.
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What is the frequency range of Very High Frequency (VHF) communication?
What is the frequency range of Very High Frequency (VHF) communication?
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Match the following VHF channels with their uses:
Match the following VHF channels with their uses:
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What type of call should be used in cases of urgency which will not result in loss of life?
What type of call should be used in cases of urgency which will not result in loss of life?
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What should you shout to warn everybody about a person overboard?
What should you shout to warn everybody about a person overboard?
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Kill cords must be worn by helmsmen of small, open power craft to kill the engine if they fall overboard. The kill cord is usually worn around the ____.
Kill cords must be worn by helmsmen of small, open power craft to kill the engine if they fall overboard. The kill cord is usually worn around the ____.
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Which of the following should be checked before starting the boat?
Which of the following should be checked before starting the boat?
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A Clove Hitch is great for holding heavy loads for extended periods of time.
A Clove Hitch is great for holding heavy loads for extended periods of time.
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Match the following international codes of signals with their meanings:
Match the following international codes of signals with their meanings:
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What are the benefits of trailing a boat?
What are the benefits of trailing a boat?
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What should be done during the pre-launch checks for launching a boat?
What should be done during the pre-launch checks for launching a boat?
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Prop walk affects outboard and stern drive boats more than shaft drive boats.
Prop walk affects outboard and stern drive boats more than shaft drive boats.
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Propellers can be right handed or left handed, in astern, a right-handed propeller will spin to the __.
Propellers can be right handed or left handed, in astern, a right-handed propeller will spin to the __.
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Match the boat handling point with its description:
Match the boat handling point with its description:
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Study Notes
Nautical Licence Requirements
- Nautical Licence required for operation of engines over 30Hp and navigation within Maltese Territorial waters (up to 12Nm)
- The licence cannot be used for commercial activity or international voyages
- Additional RYA certificates are required for international voyages and commercial activity
Course Information
- Certificate of Attendance will be issued after completing the course
- Application for the licence can be made after the course
- Exam is held at Transport Malta Offices, Lija, on a one-to-one basis
- The exam lasts up to 20 minutes, and the licence is sent by post within 3 weeks
Terminology
- Nautical Mile: 1NM = 1.1508 Land Mile, based on the circumference of the earth
- Knot: 1 nautical Mile per hour
- Fairway: section of a marine waterway designed for safe navigation
- Navigation Lights: lights shown by a vessel at night when underway
- Masthead light: light shown at night when a vessel is making way with its engine
- Anchor Light: singular all-round light shown at night when a vessel is at anchor
- Working lights: combination of all-round lights shown by commercial vessels engaged in specific tasks
Local Regulations
- Speed limits: 3 knots in approaches to fairways, 10 knots within 300m of a sandy beach, and 5 knots within certain harbours
- Swimmer Zones: marked areas where craft may not anchor or enter
- Anchoring restrictions: some areas are marked on charts and signs on shore, and some areas have Launching Lanes
IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
- Keep a proper lookout by sight and sound
- Proceed at a safe speed and adjust according to conditions
- Be aware of blind spots caused by sails, spray hoods, etc.
- All vessels have a duty to avoid collision
- Assess the risk of collision early and don't leave avoiding action too late
- Beware of faster vessels overtaking
Narrow Channels
- A Narrow Channel is one where certain vessels can only maneuver within a fairway
- Common sense dictates that if you can travel outside the fairway, it is safer and will not cause concern to other users
- Cross the narrow channel at right angles and keep clear of large vessels
Lights
- Masthead light: 225°, white, and shown on the starboard side
- Port light: 112.5°, red, and shown on the port side
- Stern light: 135°, white, and shown on the stern
- Working lights: combination of all-round lights shown by commercial vessels engaged in specific tasks
Collision Regulations
- A power-driven vessel must give way to a vessel under sail
- The stand-on vessel should hold its course and speed while continuing to monitor the action of the give-way vessel
- In restricted visibility, every vessel becomes a give-way vessel
- Proceed at slow speed and use all available means of lookout
- If the give-way vessel does not stand off, the stand-on vessel is obliged to avoid a collision at all times
Overtaking Vessels
- An overtaking vessel is one that falls into the overtaking arc (135° - Stern Light Sector)
- The overtaking vessel may overtake to port or starboard and must keep clear and not impede the vessel they are overtaking
- The vessel being overtaken must maintain its course and speed
Two Sail Vessels
- When sailing vessels meet, the way they turn is governed by whether they are the stand-on or give-way vessels
- This is determined by which tack they are on (starboard or port)
- When on the same tack, the yacht closest to the wind is called the windward yacht and must keep clear
- When on opposing tacks, the vessel on the port tack must give way
Navigation Lights
- Sailing vessels under sail: masthead light, stern light, and port/starboard lights
- Sailing vessels under power: motoring cone, stern light, and port/starboard lights
- Power-driven vessels: bow light, stern light, and port/starboard lights
- Vessels at anchor: 1 all-round white light (up to 50m) or 2 all-round white lights (over 50m)### Sound Signals
- Manoeuvring signals:
- Three short blasts: operating engines astern
- Five short blasts: unclear intentions
- One short blast: turning to starboard
- Two short blasts: turning to port
- Fog signals:
- Power-driven vessels: one long blast every 2 minutes
- Sailing vessels, RAM, underwater works, CBD, NUC, towing, fishing: one long blast + two short blasts every 2 minutes
Buoys
- Lateral marks:
- Port lateral mark: cylindrical top mark, all red, flashes red
- Starboard lateral mark: conical top mark, all green, flashes green
- Cardinal marks:
- Indicate direction of danger
- Black and yellow in colour
- Flashing white light, with number of flashes corresponding to clock face direction
- North cardinal mark: black on top, yellow at the bottom, two black triangles pointing upwards
- South cardinal mark: yellow on top, black below, two triangles pointing downwards
- East cardinal mark: black-yellow-black, two triangles facing away from each other
- West cardinal mark: yellow-black-yellow, two triangles with points touching
- Isolated danger mark:
- Black and red horizontal stripes
- Two black spheres on top
- Flashing white light in pairs
- Indicates isolated hazard, avoid the area directly surrounding the mark
- Fairway buoy / safe water mark:
- Red and white vertical stripes
- Red sphere on top
- Flashing white light (isophase or Morse A)
- Indicates start of buoyed channel or pilot station, be aware of larger vessels entering the channel
- Special mark:
- Yellow in colour
- Yellow St. Andrew's Cross on top
- Flashing yellow light, any rhythm
- Used for various purposes, observe and look out for objects of interest
Buoy Locations
- Cardinal marks:
- North: Għallis Rocks, Ġnejna Bay - Outer, etc.
- South: Delimara Point, Ħaġra - Off Il-Ponta L-Kbira, etc.
- East: Il-Merkanti – Ruined beacon, Bengħajsa Point – 1Nm SE, etc.
- West: Marsaxlokk Bay, Comino (1), Comino (2), etc.
- Special marks:
- Mellieħa Bay – Inner, Birżebbuġa Bay, etc.
- Fairway buoys:
- Grand Harbour – 1Nm NE of entrance, etc.
- Lateral marks:
- Grand Harbour - Main Channel, Kalkara - Main Channel, etc.
VHF
- General information:
- Very High Frequency (156MHz – 174MHz)
- Waterproof, easy to use, clear display, menu driven
- Important channels:
- CH 16: Distress and calling channel (voice)
- CH 70: Digital selective calling channel – distress button
- CH 12: Valletta Harbour VTS - Commercial
- CH 14: Marsaxlokk VTS - Commercial
- CH 69: Malta Small Ships VTS - Pleasure
- CH 13: Marinas around Malta & Gozo
- Routine call:
- Use channel 16, then switch to channel 72
- Example: Moonbeam and June making a routine call
- Digital distress call:
- Send distress alert with MMSI, location, time, and nature of distress
- Automatically selects channel 70
- Call types:
- Distress alert: digital (CH 70) or voice (CH 16)
- Urgency: PanPan (CH 16)
- Safety: Securite (CH 16/72)
Mayday and PanPan Calls
- Mayday call:
- Used in cases of grave and imminent danger
- Example: Fire on board, Man Overboard, severe bleeding
- PanPan call:
- Used in cases of urgency which do not justify immediate attention
- Example: Engine failure, medical assistance, minor medical situations
- Mayday vs PanPan:
- Mayday: grave and imminent danger, immediate attention required
- PanPan: urgency, but not life-threatening, attention required but not immediate
Safety Equipment
- Importance of safety equipment:
- Know how to use before needed
- In date, regularly maintained, accessible, and kept in a useful place
- Keep a maintenance log
Flares
- General information:
- Used in cases of grave and imminent danger
- Part of safety equipment, brief all crew on location and use
- Keep in waterproof container, out of the damp and sunlight
- Regularly check expiry date (approx. 4 years)
- Orange smoke flare:
- Used by day, indicates wind direction to helicopter
- Throw in water downwind, not effective in strong winds or at night
- Red hand held flare:
- Highly visible by night, burn time of 1 minute
- Use gloves and protective goggles, fire downwind
- Parachute rocket:
- Use if help is not nearby, climbs up to 300m, visible range of 25Nm
- Exercise caution, point rocket end away, prepare for recoil
Lifejackets
-
General information:
- Provide minimum 150N (15KG) buoyancy
- Designed to turn wearer face up in water
- Suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers, recommended for offshore trips
-
Types of lifejackets:
- Foam lifejackets
- Inflatable lifejackets (automatic or manual)
-
Lifejacket characteristics:
- Brightly coloured
- Retroreflective tape
- Whistle
- Light
- Chest strap and crotch strap
- Manual inflation toggle (inflatable lifejackets)
-
Lifejacket donning:
- Wear as outermost layer
- Ensure correct fitting, with straps tightened
- Check lifejacket before donning (and after use)
-
Maintenance and checks:
- Regularly check and maintain lifejacket
- Ensure correct storage and handling### Builder's Name Plate and CE Certification
-
Ocean CE Certification: covers boats designed for extended voyages with winds over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots) and significant wave heights above 13 feet.
-
Offshore CE Certification: covers boats operating offshore with winds up to 40 knots and significant seas up to 13 feet.
-
Inshore CE Certification: covers boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds up to Force 6 (up to 27 knots) and significant seas up to 7 feet high.
-
Inland CE Certification: covers boats in small lakes and rivers with winds up to Force 4 and significant wave heights up to 18 inches.
Fire Control
- Five types of fire extinguishers: cannister, bucket, fire blanket, dry powder, and CO2.
- To extinguish a fire, one element of the fire triangle must be eliminated: heat, oxygen, or fuel.
- Fire extinguishers must be serviced annually.
- Dry powder extinguishers are most versatile and can be used on electrical fires.
- CO2 extinguishers are effective on engine fires in enclosed spaces and electrical fires.
- AFFF extinguishers are effective on flammable liquids.
- Fire blankets are effective on smothering pan fires and galley fires.
Fire Safety Precautions
- When refueling, prepare fire extinguishers, shut off engines, start blowers and extractors, and check for fuel fumes.
- Ensure all hatches, portholes, and doors are closed during refueling.
- Avoid overfilling fuel tanks to prevent spillage.
- Rule of thirds: 1/3 for destination, 1/3 for return, and 1/3 for reserve.
Life Rafts
- Life rafts are a last resort and should only be used when the boat is sinking or on fire.
- Life rafts come in canisters and valises.
- Canisters are designed for outdoor use and are waterproof.
- Valises are kept in lockers and should not be stowed with gear on top.
- Tie the life raft to the boat using a round turn and two half hitches.
- Launch the life raft on the downwind side to prevent the boat from being blown away.
Grab Bags
- Grab bags are waterproof containers containing emergency essentials.
- Items to include in a grab bag: flares, portable VHF, EPIRB/PLB, signaling mirror, flashlight, basic first aid kit, anti-seasickness tablets, and water and food rations.
Helicopter Rescue
- The helicopter crew will make contact and give a brief of their intentions.
- Follow the crew's instructions for course and speed.
- Allow the crew member's winch line to earth in the water to release static.
- The winchman will land on the deck and assess the situation.
- The winchman will take control of the boat and use a weighted line to control the ascent.
Man Overboard
- Shout "Man Overboard" to warn everyone.
- Nominate a crew member to point at the person.
- Throw man overboard equipment.
- Make a Mayday call if necessary.
- Press the MOB button on GPS and the distress alert button on VHF.
Kill Cords
- Kill cords must be worn by helmsmen of small, open power craft.
- The kill cord should be worn around the leg.
- If the helmsman falls overboard or falls away from the helm, the kill cord pin is pulled away from the console, killing the engine.
Boat Controls
- Before starting, check that the boat is not in gear, the propeller is clear, and the engine is in neutral.
- Start the engine while in neutral.
- Check the cooling water and use the gear lever interlock correctly.
- Always allow a pause between forward and astern.
- Use a solid push to put the craft into gear without dragging the gears.
- Check that the steering operates smoothly.
Knots
- Clove Hitch: good for tying fenders and light loads for short periods.
- Round Turn and Two Half Hitches: excellent for holding heavy loads for extended periods.
- Sheet Bend: good for joining two lines together, especially of different diameters.
- Bowline: good for mooring lines and can take a great load.
- Reef Knot: good for tying two lines of similar diameter together.
International Code of Signals
- A: I have a diver down. Keep well clear and at slow speeds.
- B: I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
- C: Affirmative.
- D: Keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty.
- E: I am altering my course to starboard.
- F: I am disabled, I am not making way through the water.
- G: I require a pilot.
- H: I have a pilot on board.
- I: I am altering my course to port.
- J: I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board.
- K: I wish to communicate with you.
- L: The ship is under quarantine.
- M: My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
- N: Negative.
- O: Man Overboard.
Anchoring
- There are various types of anchors for small boats.
- Anchors work by having a horizontal pull.
- Rope/chain acts as a shock absorber, adds weight, and reduces chafe.
- Amount of scope (chain and rope) required is different for rope and chain vs. all chain.
Weather Sources
- Check the weather for the duration of the trip before departure.
- Use reliable, local weather sources, apps, VHF, and Navtex.
- Familiarize yourself with the Beaufort scale.
Before You Leave
- Check the weather for the duration of the trip.
- Check Notice to Mariners for notices relevant to the journey.
- Inform someone of the passage, its route, and estimated timings.
- Check instruments and engine.
- Ensure enough fuel (1/3 to go, 1/3 to return, and 1/3 spare).
- Check clothing and supplies for the duration of the trip and spare.
Types of Craft
- Inboard engine with shaft drive: engine is within the hull, drives a gearbox and shaft, and has a simple system that is reliable and low maintenance.
- Outdrive or Stern drive: engine is within the hull, drives an outdrive on the back of the hull, and has a system that is more complex and requires more maintenance.
- Outboard: whole engine and drive train are carried on the stern of the boat, and is a self-contained unit that pivots and tilts.
- Jet Drive: very powerful pump that sucks water from under the boat and pushes it out of the nozzle, providing maneuvering and reverse.
Engine Care
- Check water, oil, and belts regularly.
- Check bilges and batteries, and keep on top of replacements.
- Check lines, including water lines and filters, and electrics.
Hull Types
- Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB): Vee hull with inflatable tubes for buoyancy and stability, and is a good rescue boat and popular as a family and fishing boat.
- Sport Boat: good all-round family craft in flat to slight seas, and has a planing hull that can be shallow or deep vee.
- Displacement Hull: classic fishing hull, and more rounded (duck shape).
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Description
This course is designed for individuals who want to operate engines of 30 Hp and over within Maltese Territorial waters. It covers the necessary skills and knowledge for obtaining a Nautical Licence.
