RYA Day Skipper — UK

Practice questions (with answers)

1. For a vessel of 50m or more, the masthead light must be visible at:

   1. A3 nautical miles
   2. B5 nautical miles
   3. C6 nautical miles
   4. D8 nautical miles
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   Correct answer: C. 6 nautical miles

   Rule 22: masthead light of vessels 50m+ must be visible at a minimum of 6 nautical miles.

2. Emergency wreck marking buoys are used for:

   1. APermanent marking of wrecks already shown on charts
   2. BMarking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks
   3. CShowing where salvage or diving work is going on nearby
   4. DMarking temporary channels near ports
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   Correct answer: B. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks

   The emergency wreck marking buoy marks new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks. The competent authority determines further marking once the danger is removed or its information has been sufficiently promulgated.

3. Section I of Part B (Rules 4–10) — look-out, safe speed, risk of collision, action to avoid collision — applies:

   1. AOnly when other vessels are in sight
   2. BIn any condition of visibility, day or night
   3. COnly in restricted visibility
   4. DOnly when transiting a traffic separation scheme
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   Correct answer: B. In any condition of visibility, day or night

   Rule 4 applies Section I in any condition of visibility. Rule 11 limits Section II to vessels in sight of one another. Rule 19 applies to vessels not in sight when navigating in or near restricted visibility.

4. Which is a clear violation of the look-out requirement?

   1. AUsing binoculars to identify distant lights during the night watch
   2. BAssigning the look-out person administrative paperwork during the watch
   3. CUsing radar and ARPA to supplement the visual look-out in clear weather
   4. DPosting an additional look-out on the bow in restricted visibility
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   Correct answer: B. Assigning the look-out person administrative paperwork during the watch

   A proper look-out must be able to give full attention to the task. Assigning unrelated duties that distract the watch violates the rule.

5. For vessels with operational radar, safe speed must additionally consider:

   1. AThe commercial value of the cargo being carried
   2. BCharacteristics and limitations of radar equipment
   3. CThe number of crew members on the bridge watch
   4. DThe vessel's insurance and classification requirements
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   Correct answer: B. Characteristics and limitations of radar equipment

   Rule 6(b) applies to vessels with operational radar and requires consideration of its characteristics, efficiency and limitations, among other radar-related factors.

6. The topmark of a West Cardinal mark is:

   1. ATwo cones, both pointing upward
   2. BTwo cones pointing down
   3. CTwo cones point to point
   4. DTwo cones base to base
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   Correct answer: C. Two cones point to point

   Two separate black cones with their points facing each other. The cones must remain clearly separated.

7. You are entering a river where the chart shows the conventional direction of buoyage is upstream from the sea entrance. What should determine whether a lateral mark is port-hand or starboard-hand?

   1. AThe side of the river where the town lies
   2. BThe vessel's heading at the moment
   3. CThe charted conventional direction of buoyage
   4. DThe direction the tidal stream is setting at that moment
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   Correct answer: C. The charted conventional direction of buoyage

   Lateral marks are interpreted in the conventional direction of buoyage. The chart, not guesswork, determines which side is port-hand and which is starboard-hand.

8. You sight a cardinal mark with both cones pointing down and a light showing six quick flashes followed by one long flash. What is the safe action?

   1. APass north of the mark
   2. BPass east of the mark
   3. CPass south of the mark
   4. DTreat it as an isolated danger mark
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   Correct answer: C. Pass south of the mark

   Two cones down and the 6+1 light rhythm identify a South Cardinal mark, meaning the safe water lies to the south of the mark.

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