Notes on

SECOND MATE CHARTWORK

Capt. A.K. Prasad
GUIDELINES FOR EXAMINATION

Erase all old lines from the chart before starting work, including all markings along the
latitude and longitude scales, and in the compass rose.
Use 2B pencil and good quality erasure.
Use transparent plastic protractor and parallel ruler or set squares.
Measure all bearings and courses by only using the nearest compass rose. Never use the
angle markings on the parallel ruler.
Always use the same edge of the parallel ruler when transferring courses and bearings
from/to the compass rose.
For plotting a point or measuring its latitude and longitude, use the nearest parallel of latitude
and meridian, or the compass rose, with the help of parallel ruler. Do not use a compass or
divider for this purpose.
Use appropriate symbols to indicate various parameters like course steered, CTS, CMG,
current, celestial azimuth, celestial PL, transferred PL, DR position, estimated position and
fix. If you use wrong symbols or no symbols then it would confuse the examiner and you
may loose marks.
State the times of various positions on the chart as stated in the question.
There are 4 questions in section A (chartwork) and only 3 have to be attempted. 3 questions
are plotting exercises and one question is passage planning. Each question carries 30 marks.
In addition there is one question on chart symbols in section B carrying 20 marks, which is
compulsory.
Read the question carefully and write the given data on your answer sheet, except the
positions of lights, and double-check the same. If all the necessary data for working the
problem is available then start solving it.
Before starting a problem or after working part of it, if you realize that some data is
inadvertently missing or apparently wrong, then inform the invigilator and seek his
instructions. Immediately proceed with the next problem and come back to the original
problem only after receiving examiners instructions.
If some correction is announced by the invigilator you may respectfully request for extra time
which will normally be given.
Show all calculations required for solving the problem in detail on the answer sheet i.e. the
formula, values of each parameter and answer obtained. Merely calculating the values by
calculator and writing the answer, will not be accepted by the examiner.
If some data is calculated by using the Nories tables and not the formula, then mention the
name of the table on the answer sheet. Preferably use the formula in all cases.
After completing the plot on the chart, draw a neat sketch of the plot on the answer sheet,
which need not be to scale, and mark the appropriate symbols as stated above.

Erase all extra or unnecessary lines drawn on the chart, which are not relevant to the plot, to
avoid confusing the examiner.
POSITION LINES

1. True visual bearing of an object calculated as follows :

Ships head applied appropriately to relative bearing.
Gyro error applied appropriately to gyro compass bearing.
Compass error calculated by appropriately combining Deviation from the deviation card,
for the given compass course, and Variation as given in the chart / question paper, and
applied appropriately to the compass bearing.
2. True Radar bearing of a point of land or Racon, calculated after correcting the relative or
gyro compass bearing as stated above.
3. Transit bearing of two objects.
4. Line drawn perpendicular to True Azimuth of a celestial body at ITP, or at DR Lat. and Obs.
Long., or at Obs. Lat. and DR Long.
POSITION CIRCLES
1. Radar distance of point or edge of land, or Racon.
2. Raising/dipping or first/last sighting of light
Data given --- Light, height of eye and prevailing meteorological visibility.

Nominal Range (NR) of light is given in miles on the chart for meteorological visibility
of 10 miles.
Calculate Luminous Range (LR) of light in miles by entering Luminous Range Diagram
with NR of light and given prevailing meteorological visibility which may be less or
more than 10 miles.
Geographical Range (GR) of light (miles) = 2.095 ( H + h )
H --- Height of light (m) ; h --- Height of eye (m)
If NR / LR > GR, then distance of first/last sighting of light = GR, which is also called
raising/dipping distance of light.
If NR / LR < GR, then distance of first/last sighting of light = NR / LR.
If visibility is given in question then use LR in the above calculation, otherwise use NR.
Draw position circle from the light, using the appropriate distance.

3. Vertical sextant angle of object

Data given --- Object, its height as given in chart / question paper, its Vertical sextant angle
(VSA), index error (I.E.) of sextant, and rise/fall of tide above/below MHWS.

Calculate H (m) = Height of object fall/rise of tide

Calculate = VSA I.E. off/on the arc

Calculate distance of object (miles) = ( H 1.854 ) = H ( Tan 1852.3 )
Draw position circle around the object, using the calculated distance.
Avoid using Nories tables and ignore height of eye if given.

4. Horizontal sextant angle

Data given --- 2 objects, Horizontal sextant angle (HSA) between them, or their compass
bearings without compass error.

HSA () = Difference between the 2 compass bearings

Draw a line joining the 2 objects.
If < 90, then draw 2 lines towards sea, making an angle of (90 - ) at each object.
If > 90, then draw 2 lines towards land, making an angle of ( - 90) at each object.
Intersection of these 2 lines is centre of position circle which will pass through the 2
objects.
If = 90, then centre of the line joining the 2 objects is centre of position circle.
If = 180, then the ship lies on the line joining the 2 objects.
I.E. of sextant is normally not given as its value is much less than 1.

5. Celestial observation
Draw a position circle with GP (GHA and Decl.) of a celestial body as the centre, and T.Z.D.
of the body as radius.
METHODS OF FIXING POSITIONS
1. Latitude and Longitude
2. Intersection of -- 2 true terrestrial bearings
2 celestial position lines
2 position circles
Celestial position line and true terrestrial bearing
Position circle and celestial position line
Position circle and true terrestrial bearing
3. Construction of course, speed and current vector triangle
Data given --- Fix, direction of wind and leeway, and any 4 of the following 6 data :
Compass course steered (CS), engine speed, CMG, SMG, and direction and
rate of current.

If compass CS is given then apply deviation and variation appropriately to calculate true
CS. Then apply leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CS.
Using the 4 given data construct course, speed and current vector triangle XYZ for 1
hour, wherein -- X is initial fix or any position.
Z is final position.
XZ is CMG and SMG.
XY is CS / CTS and engine speed, or current direction and rate, depending on
construction of the triangle.
YZ is the remaining parameter.
Calculate 2 unknown data from the triangle.
If true CTS is calculated then counteract leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true
CTS. Then apply variation and deviation appropriately to calculate compass CTS.
Note : Certain combinations of the 4 given data may give 2 possible answers for the 2
unknown data to be calculated. Choose the answers which are most suitable for the given
situation on the chart, or seek clarification from the examiner.

4. Running fix by transferring position line

Data given --- 2 position lines (PL) of 1 or 2 objects/celestial bodies, time interval between
2 observations, direction of wind and leeway, and any 4 of following 6 data :
Compass course steered (CS), engine speed, CMG, SMG, and direction and
rate of current.

Draw the 2 PLs.

Apply deviation and variation appropriately to the given compass CS to calculate true
CS. Then apply leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CS.
Take any point X on 1st PL and construct course, speed and current vector triangle XYZ
for the given time interval, to calculate the remaining 2 data.
Transfer 1st PL through Z to cut 2nd PL at B which is final position.
Draw CMG in reverse direction from B to cut 1st PL at A which is initial position.

5. Running fix by transferring position circle

Data given --- 2 position circles (PC) of 1 or 2 objects, time interval between 2 observations,
direction of wind and leeway, and any 4 of the following 6 data :
Compass course steered (CS), engine speed, CMG, SMG, and direction and
rate of current.

Draw the 2 PCs.

Apply deviation and variation appropriately to the given compass CS to calculate true
CS. Then apply leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CS.

Consider the first object as point X and construct course, speed and current vector
triangle XYZ for the given time interval, to calculate the remaining 2 data.
With Z as centre, transfer 1st PC to cut 2nd PC at B which is final position.
Draw CMG in reverse direction from B to cut 1st PC at A which is initial position.
6. Three bearings of same object
Data given --- 3 true bearings of same object (O), time intervals or distances run between 3
observations, direction of wind and leeway, and any 3 of following 4 data :
Compass course steered (CS), engine speed, and direction and rate of current.

Draw the 3 given bearings OX, OY and OZ.

Calculate ratio of 2 time intervals / distances run between OX and OY, and between OY
and OZ.
Draw a line through O, on one side and clear of the 3 bearings.
Measure convenient distances on this line, on either sides of O, in the above ratio, to
obtain points A (on the side of OX) and B (on the side of OZ).
From A and B draw lines parallel to OY, to cut OX and OZ at C and D respectively.
Line CD is CMG, but not DMG.
If compass CS is given then apply deviation and variation appropriately to calculate true
CS. Then apply leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CS.
Using the 3 given data, calculated CMG, and the point C on OX, construct course, speed
and current vector triangle CEF for the given time interval between OX and OZ.
Measure CF which is DMG.
Calculate SMG and the 1 remaining data.
If true CTS is calculated then counteract leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true
CTS. Then apply variation and deviation appropriately to calculate compass CTS.
Transfer OX through F to cut OZ at R.
Draw CMG in reverse direction from R to cut OX and OY at P and Q respectively.
P, Q and R are positions at the 3 given bearings.

7. Fix followed by two bearings of same object

Data given --- Fix (X), followed by 2 true bearings of one object (O), time intervals or
distances run between the fix and 2 bearings, direction of wind and leeway, and any 2 of
the following 4 data : Compass course steered (CS), engine speed, and direction and rate of
current.

Join OX and consider it to be 1st bearing.

Draw the 2 given bearings OY and OZ and consider them to be 2nd and 3rd bearings.
Calculate ratio of 2 time intervals / distances run between OX and OY, and between OY
and OZ.
Draw a line through O, on one side and clear of the 3 bearings.
Measure convenient distances on this line, on either sides of O, in the above ratio, to
obtain points A (on the side of OX) and B (on the side of OZ).

From A and B draw lines parallel to OY, to cut OX and OZ at C and D respectively.
Line CD is CMG, but not DMG.
Transfer CMG through X to cut OY and OZ at P and Q respectively, which are positions
at the 2 given bearings.
Measure distance XQ which is DMG. Calculate SMG.
If compass CS is given then apply deviation and variation appropriately to calculate true
CS. Then apply leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CS.
Using the 2 given data, calculated CMG and SMG, and the fix X, construct course, speed
and current vector triangle for the given time interval between OX and OZ, and calculate
the 2 remaining data.
If true CTS is calculated then counteract leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true
CTS. Then apply variation and deviation appropriately to calculate compass CTS.

8. Two relative bearings of same object on bow, without current or leeway

Data given --- Fix or compass course steered (CS), 2 relative bearings of 1 object, time
interval between the 2 bearings, and engine speed.

= 1st relative bearing.

= 2nd relative bearing.
Calculate D1 = Distance run between the 2 bearings in given time interval.
D2 = Distance of the object at subsequent beam bearing.
Calculate D2 = D1 ( Cot - Cot ).
If fix is given -- Plot position circle for distance D2 around the object, and draw a tangent to it from fix.
This gives CTS and positions when the object will bear and on the bow, and
when it will be abeam.
Apply deviation and variation appropriately to calculate true CTS.

If compass CS is given -- Apply deviation and variation appropriately to calculate true CS.
Calculate true bearings of the object when it is and on the bow, and when it is
subsequently abeam.
Knowing D2 measure position at beam bearing.
From here plot reverse CS to obtain positions when object is and on the bow.

Special cases
If = 45 and = 90, then D1 = D2
If = 2, then D1 = Distance of object at 2nd relative bearing.
9. Resolution of Cocked Hat obtained by 3 terrestrial bearings
Data given --- 3 bearings of 3 objects, having unknown fixed error, which do not meet at a

point, and hence form a cocked hat.

Calculate difference between 1st and 2nd bearings, and between 2nd and 3rd bearings.
Consider the 2 differences to be 2 HSAs.
Construct 2 position circles as stated in exercise 4 of Position Circles.
Intersection of the 2 circles is the correct position.
MISCELLANEOUS CALCULATIONS

1. Sight an object right ahead at certain distance, with current but without leeway
Data given --- Fix (A), engine speed, an object (O) to be sighted right ahead at a distance
(D), and direction and rate of current.

Calculate time period to cover distance D and calculate drift due to current for this time.
From O draw the given current direction and calculated drift, to obtain point B.
Draw an arc of radius D around O.
Draw line AB to cut the arc at C which is position where the object will be sighted right
ahead.
AB is CMG and CB is DMG in the calculated time. Calculate SMG.
Draw line CO which is true CTS. Apply variation and deviation appropriately to calculate
compass CTS.

2. Keep safe distance from an object

Data given --- Initial and final positions (X and Y), engine speed, minimum safe distance to
be maintained from an object, direction and rate of current, and direction of
wind and leeway

Plot the 2 positions X and Y.

Draw circle around the object for the given safe distance.
From X and Y draw tangents to the circle, to meet each other at A.
Measure first CMG and DMG from X to A, and second CMG and DMG from A to Y.
Using the given data and calculated CMGs, construct separate one hour course, speed
and current vector triangles at X and A to calculate both CTSs and SMGs.
Calculate time taken on each CMG and hence total time taken between the 2 positions.
Counteract leeway appropriately to obtain corrected true CTSs. Then apply variation and
deviation appropriately to calculate compass CTSs.

3. Keep safe distance from an object while sailing on an arc around it, without current or
leeway
Data given --- Initial and final positions (X and Y), engine speed, and minimum safe
distance (D) to be maintained from an object (O).

Plot the 2 positions X and Y.

Draw position circle around the object O for the distance D.
From X and Y draw tangents to the position circle, meeting it at A and B respectively.
Measure first CMG from X to A, and second CMG from B to Y.
At A the object will be abeam, after which the ship will sail along an arc of the position
circle till B, when the ship will be heading on second CMG.
Measure AOB () which is difference between the 2 CMGs.
Calculate distance (miles) along the arc AB = D 57.3.
Calculate total distance and time taken between the 2 positions, assuming that speed
along the arc remains constant.

4. Steer safe courses using single position line

Data given --- 1 position line (PL), safe distance to pass an object or a position to reach,
engine speed, direction and rate of current, and direction of wind and leeway.

Draw the PL.

Draw the given safe distance arc around the object or plot the position to reach.
Take any point A on the PL and draw first CMG -- Perpendicular to the PL, or
In the direction given in the question.

Draw a line tangential to the arc or from the position to reach, such that it is parallel to
the PL and meets the first CMG at B.
In both cases the tangential point or the position to reach is C.
AB is first CMG and DMG, but A and B are not positions of the ship.
BC is second CMG but not DMG.
Using the given data and calculated CMGs, construct separate one-hour course, speed
and current vector triangles at A and B to calculate both CTSs and SMGs.
For each CTS counteract leeway appropriately to calculate corrected true CTSs. (It is
assumed that leeway remains same for both CTSs).
Apply variation and deviation appropriately to calculate compass CTSs.
Knowing first DMG, calculate time interval for alteration of course.
Time to reach C cannot be calculated because second DMG is not known.

5. Pass safely between two dangers using VSA

Data given --- 2 objects (A and B), height of A as given in chart / question paper, minimum
safe distances from A and B when passing between them, I.E. of sextant, and
rise/fall of tide above/below MHWS.

Apply rise/fall of tide appropriately to height of object A to obtain its corrected

height.
Using given safe distance from A and its calculated height, calculate as explained
in exercise 3 of Position circles.
Apply I.E. appropriately to to calculate maximum safe VSA of object A.
Draw circles of given safe distances around the 2 objects.
Draw second circle around A, tangential to the circle around B, and measure its radius.
Using the radius as distance from A, calculate minimum safe VSA as explained above.
Ship should steer between the 2 objects, by using the minimum and maximum VSAs.

6. Pass safely between two dangers using HSA

Data given --- 2 objects (A and B) on land, 2 shoals (X and Y) located offshore, minimum
safe distances from each shoal when passing between them, and I.E. of
sextant.

Draw circles of given safe distances around the shoals X and Y.

Join objects A and B, and construct PQ as perpendicular bisector of AB.
By trial and error select a point on PQ such that a circle drawn with it as centre is
tangential to the safe distance circle around X, and also passes through A and B.
Measure subtended by AB at any point on this tangential circle.
Similarly draw second circle tangential to the safe distance circle around Y, and passing
through A and B.
Measure subtended by AB at any point on this second tangential circle.
Apply I.E. appropriately to and to obtain safe HSAs.
Ship should steer between the 2 shoals, by using the minimum and maximum HSAs.
Note : I.E. may not be given as its value will be insignificant compared to values of
HSAs.