Free NFCP Practice Questions

Question 1

In clear visibility on open coastal water, your power-driven vessel has another power-driven vessel on its port bow in a crossing situation. Neither vessel is restricted to a channel. Before close quarters develops, the other vessel makes a substantial starboard alteration to pass well astern of you. Radar observations confirm that its maneuver is effective. How should you respond?

Accepted Answer

Maintain course and speed while monitoring until the vessels are past and clear.

Answer

Reduce to minimum steerage speed so the other vessel has less distance to travel before passing astern.

Answer

Turn to port to parallel the other vessel's new course until it has passed your stern.

Answer

Stop engines and take all way off until the crossing vessel has completed its maneuver.

Question 2

After moving closer to a steep bank on its starboard side, a ship making steady headway begins to sheer to port while its stern moves toward the bank. Engine rpm and helm have not changed, and there is no change in wind or current. Which mechanism best accounts for this paired movement?

Accepted Answer

Bow cushion pushing away from the bank and stern suction drawing toward it.

Answer

Squat increasing the stern draft and producing a lateral force on the bow.

Answer

Propeller transverse thrust becoming dominant as the vessel approaches the bank.

Answer

The pivot point shifting aft and causing the bow to describe a wider arc.

Question 3

Two electronic chart displays and the AIS own-ship position jump 0.3 nautical mile east at the same instant. All three receive position from one GNSS receiver. Meanwhile, a visual transit remains aligned, and independently observed radar ranges to two fixed shore structures remain consistent with the previous track. The best-supported explanation is:

Accepted Answer

An error in the shared GNSS position input.

Answer

An abrupt east-going current acting on the vessel.

Answer

A gyro heading error affecting all three position indications.

Answer

An incorrect horizontal chart datum selected on both chart displays.

Question 4

At 1030, a reliable position fix lies 0.6 nautical mile east and 0.8 nautical mile north of the dead-reckoning position advanced from the 1000 fix. Steering and speed-through-water records are accurate, and wind leeway is negligible. What approximate average current set and drift account for the displacement over this interval?

Accepted Answer

Set 037°T; drift 2.0 knots.

Answer

Set 037°T; drift 1.0 knot.

Answer

Set 217°T; drift 2.0 knots.

Answer

Set 053°T; drift 2.0 knots.

Question 5

A dredger working in a narrow channel at night exhibits red-white-red all-round lights vertically. It also shows two all-round red lights vertically on its east side and two all-round green lights vertically on its west side. Your pilotage assessment confirms adequate water and maneuvering room west of the dredger, with no conflicting traffic. Which passage is consistent with these signals?

Accepted Answer

Pass west of the dredger, on the side marked by two green lights.

Answer

Pass east of the dredger, using the two red lights to identify the navigable side.

Answer

Wait for the dredger to stop work; the central red-white-red lights prohibit passage while dredging continues.

Answer

Pass on either side; the additional pairs of lights identify the outer limits of the dredger.

Question 6

During unberthing, a current running from stern toward bow is tending to move a vessel ahead along the quay. Propulsion is stopped, and the tug has not yet taken the load. Which line should remain secured to oppose that ahead movement?

Accepted Answer

The spring led from the bow to a bollard abaft its shipboard lead.

Answer

The spring led from the stern to a bollard forward of its shipboard lead.

Answer

The forward breast line led squarely across to a bollard directly opposite the bow.

Answer

The bow line led diagonally forward to a bollard well ahead of the vessel.

Question 7

A charted shore transit has a true bearing of 086° from the vessel. When the two marks are aligned, their observed gyro bearing is 089°. The next leg requires a true heading of 134°. Gyro error is unchanged; chart variation is 7°W and magnetic compass deviation is 2°E. What heading should be ordered on the gyrocompass?

Accepted Answer

137°G

Answer

129°G

Answer

131°G

Answer

139°G

Question 8

An inbound harbor channel follows a fixed 000°T entrance range to a charted turn point, then turns east. Both range beacons stand north of the turn point, and the range line beyond the turn crosses shoal water. The vessel reaches the turn point, confirmed by independent position observations, with the beacons still perfectly aligned. What does that alignment establish?

Accepted Answer

The vessel is on the range line, but the safe track turns away from it.

Answer

The dredged channel continues north until the front beacon is abeam.

Answer

The eastward turn must be delayed until the rear beacon opens to starboard.

Answer

The charted turn point is incorrect because a valid turning point cannot lie on an aligned range.

Question 9

Radar is the only means of detecting another vessel in fog. The contact bears 045° relative, and systematic plotting shows a developing risk of collision. You are not overtaking it, and there is still sea room for early avoiding action. When considering an alteration of course, which limitation in Rule 19(d) applies?

Accepted Answer

Avoid an alteration to port so far as possible.

Answer

Avoid a starboard alteration toward the detected vessel.

Answer

Delay course changes until the other vessel becomes visible.

Answer

Use crossing-rule give-way duties to determine your alteration.

Question 10

An ECDIS conforming to IMO MSC.232(82) is displaying chart data with depth contours at 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters. The navigator enters 12 meters for the safety contour, but the display emphasizes the 15-meter contour. How should this be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

The next deeper available chart contour has been selected.

Answer

Charted depths now include a three-meter tidal correction.

Answer

The nearest contour should be used, even if it is shallower.

Answer

Safety depth and safety contour have been automatically synchronized.

Free NFCP Practice Questions

Domain 1: Rules of the Road: International and Inland (Q100) OR Inland (Q300), according to route

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Domain 2: Deck General/Safety (Q370)

Question 4

Question 5

Domain 3: Navigation General (Q371)

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Domain 4: Navigation Problems: Chart Plot (Q372 OR Q373)

Question 9

Domain 5: Local Knowledge (Q374)

Question 10

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