You are on course 090°T when you sight a flashing white light with a characteristic of VQ(9)10s. You immediately change course to 030°T. After one hour, you sight another flashing white light with the characteristic of VQ. You must pass well __________.
• Lateral buoyage system (IALA B in the U.S.) and what a white VQ light usually marks on the coastwise system • How your course changes (090°T to 030°T) affect where a fixed buoy lies relative to your track line • The idea that if a buoy marks a danger or channel edge, "pass well ____" means you stay on the safe-water side of it
• Sketch both legs of your track (090°T and then 030°T) and put the first VQ(9)10s mark where it would logically be when first sighted. From that, think about where the second VQ mark would likely be when you alter course. • Ask yourself: if both aids are white and very quick flashing, what type of marks are they most likely to be (lateral, safe water, isolated danger, etc.) in U.S. waters? • From the ship’s heading and the probable function of these marks, which side (north, south, east, west) would correspond to staying in the safe water or the intended route around the hazard?
• Confirm in your mind what a white very quick flashing light typically represents on a nautical chart in your exam module. • Double-check your plot: label north clearly and make sure the 090°T and 030°T courses are drawn correctly so you don’t flip east/west or north/south. • Before choosing, mentally place the danger or channel boundary relative to your plotted track, and verify on which cardinal side you must remain to avoid it.
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