South African boat licence (Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper)

Practice questions (with answers)

1. In IALA Region A, the port-hand mark colour is:

   1. AGreen, usually conical
   2. BRed, usually can-shaped
   3. CYellow, with an X-shaped topmark
   4. DBlack, with red bands
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   Correct answer: B. Red, usually can-shaped

   Region A: port-hand red, starboard-hand green. Region B: port-hand green, starboard-hand red. Interpret both in the charted conventional direction of buoyage.

2. Before she is finally past and clear, an overtaking vessel's bearing changes to resemble a crossing position. What is her duty?

   1. AShe becomes the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation
   2. BShe remains the overtaking vessel and must keep clear
   3. CNormal crossing rules apply
   4. DBoth vessels must alter to starboard
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   Correct answer: B. She remains the overtaking vessel and must keep clear

   Rule 13(d): a later bearing change does not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel or relieve her duty until she is finally past and clear.

3. If in doubt whether a head-on situation exists:

   1. AHold course and speed until her aspect becomes clear
   2. BTreat it as a crossing situation and alter course to port
   3. CAssume it IS a head-on situation and alter to starboard
   4. DCall her on VHF and agree a port-to-port passing first
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   Correct answer: C. Assume it IS a head-on situation and alter to starboard

   Rule 14(c): when in doubt, assume it IS a head-on situation and act accordingly.

4. Your power-driven vessel and another identified power-driven vessel are in sight in open water, crossing with risk of collision. She is on your starboard bow; neither is overtaking. Which duty applies to your vessel?

   1. AKeep course and speed as the stand-on vessel and take action only if she fails to keep clear
   2. BTake early and substantial action to keep clear and, if circumstances admit, avoid crossing ahead
   3. CSound at least five short and rapid blasts, then wait for the other vessel to alter course before acting
   4. DMake a large alteration to port in good time and pass ahead of her at a safe distance
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   Correct answer: B. Take early and substantial action to keep clear and, if circumstances admit, avoid crossing ahead

   Rules 15 and 16 require your power-driven vessel to give way because the other power-driven vessel is crossing on your starboard side with risk of collision. A red sidelight alone would not establish vessel type or this duty.

5. A power-driven stand-on vessel acts under Rule 17(a)(ii) in a crossing with another power-driven vessel. If circumstances admit, she shall NOT:

   1. AKeep her course and speed while the give-way vessel acts
   2. BAlter course to port for a vessel on her port side
   3. CReduce speed, if necessary, to avoid collision
   4. DSound at least five short and rapid blasts
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   Correct answer: B. Alter course to port for a vessel on her port side

   Rule 17(c) says a power-driven vessel taking action under Rule 17(a)(ii) in a crossing with another power-driven vessel shall, if circumstances admit, not alter to port for a vessel on her own port side.

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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