RYA Day Skipper — UK

Practice questions (with answers)

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

   1. 3 nautical miles
   2. 5 nautical miles
   3. 6 nautical miles
   4. 8 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. Permanent marking of wrecks already shown on charts
   2. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks
   3. Showing where salvage or diving work is going on nearby
   4. Marking 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. Only when other vessels are in sight
   2. In any condition of visibility, day or night
   3. Only in restricted visibility
   4. Only 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. Using binoculars to identify distant lights during the night watch
   2. Assigning the look-out person administrative paperwork during the watch
   3. Using radar and ARPA to supplement the visual look-out in clear weather
   4. Posting 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. The commercial value of the cargo being carried
   2. Characteristics and limitations of radar equipment
   3. The number of crew members on the bridge watch
   4. The 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. Two cones, both pointing upward
   2. Two cones pointing down
   3. Two cones point to point
   4. Two 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. The side of the river where the town lies
   2. The vessel's heading at the moment
   3. The charted conventional direction of buoyage
   4. The 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. Pass north of the mark
   2. Pass east of the mark
   3. Pass south of the mark
   4. Treat 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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