Free practice test
Capitán de Yate practice test
A free Capitán de Yate mock exam with 30 questions. Take it against the clock and the pass mark, or read through the answers: every one is explained, so you learn from each mistake.
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC
- 30 questions
- 25 minutes
- Pass: 24 of 30
This is our practice format, not the official one: check the current exam format with the exam authority.
This mock covers only the parts our question bank teaches: the steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, sound signals, and IALA buoyage. The official exam also tests other subjects, so study those from the official syllabus.
These are IALACOLREG's own study questions, not official exam questions.
Take it as a timed test
25 minutes on the clock. The answers stay hidden until you finish, then you see your score against the pass mark.
Questions and answers
1.In IALA Region A, which description fits a starboard-hand lateral mark?
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Correct answer: B. Green, usually conical
In Region A, starboard-hand marks are green and usually conical; port-hand marks are red and usually can-shaped. Sides are read in the conventional direction of buoyage.
2.A vessel less than 20m in a narrow channel:
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Correct answer: B. Shall not impede vessels that can only navigate within the channel
Rule 9(b): vessels under 20m shall not impede vessels which can safely navigate only within the channel.
3.Do special marks normally replace suitable lateral or cardinal marks?
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Correct answer: C. No, as a rule they do not take the place of those marks
R1001: special marks generally do not replace suitable lateral or cardinal marks; they indicate an area or feature described in charts and publications.
4.If circumstances admit, action to avoid collision shall be:
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Correct answer: B. Positive, made in ample time
Rule 8(a) requires action in accordance with Part B and, if circumstances admit, positive action made in ample time with due regard to good seamanship.
5.Annex IV (Rule 37) lists a gun or other explosive signal as a distress signal when it is fired:
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Correct answer: C. At intervals of about one minute
Rule 37 / Annex IV: a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute indicates distress and need of assistance.
6.Emergency wreck marking buoys are used for:
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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.
7.The towing light is:
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Correct answer: C. Yellow, with the same arc as the sternlight
Rule 21(d) defines the towing light as yellow with the same characteristics as the sternlight. Rule 24(a)(iv) places it in a vertical line above the sternlight.
8.Which shape rule applies to a special mark?
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Correct answer: B. Shape is optional, but must not conflict with lateral marks
R1001 Table 9 leaves the shape optional, provided it does not conflict with lateral marks. Yellow colour and an X topmark, if fitted, identify the special mark.
9.Two sailing vessels in sight have wind on the same side and approach with risk of collision; neither is overtaking. Which gives way?
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Correct answer: B. The windward vessel gives way
Rule 12(a)(ii): when both have wind on the same side, the windward vessel keeps out of the way.
10.When obliged to cross a traffic lane, what heading should a vessel use?
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Correct answer: C. As nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow
Rule 10(c): avoid crossing traffic lanes so far as practicable; if obliged to cross, use a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This specifies heading, not ground track.
11.A vessel of 50 metres or more at anchor at night shows:
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Correct answer: B. An all-round white light forward and a lower one aft
Rule 30(a): an all-round white light in the fore part and another all-round white light at a lower level near the stern.
12.The second masthead light on a power-driven vessel must be:
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Correct answer: C. Abaft of and higher than the forward one
Rule 23(a)(ii): the second masthead light must be abaft of and higher than the forward one.
13.A masthead light shows over an arc of:
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Correct answer: C. 225 degrees
Rule 21(a): masthead light shows over an arc of 225 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side.
14.For a vessel of 50m or more, the masthead light must be visible at:
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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.
15.Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or WIG craft to show the lights and shapes prescribed in Part C, she must:
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Correct answer: B. Exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar as possible in characteristics and position to those prescribed
Rule 31: where compliance is impracticable, seaplanes and WIG craft shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as possible.
16.If fitted, the topmark of an isolated danger mark is:
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Correct answer: B. Two black spheres vertically
Isolated danger marks have two black spheres (balls) as topmark. (if fitted).
17.Before she is finally past and clear, an overtaking vessel's bearing changes to resemble a crossing position. What is her duty?
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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.
18.Under Rule 35(a), a power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility sounds:
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Correct answer: B. One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
Rule 35(a): one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
19.Under Rule 36, a vessel trying to attract attention may direct her searchlight beam:
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Correct answer: A. In the direction of the danger, without embarrassing any vessel
Rule 36: any vessel may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.
20.Which shapes may a safe water mark have?
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Correct answer: B. Spherical, pillar or spar
A safe water mark may be spherical, pillar or spar, with red and white vertical stripes; conical and can shapes belong to lateral marks.
21.Five or more short and rapid blasts mean:
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Correct answer: C. Doubt or danger — the intentions of the other vessel are not understood
Rule 34(d): at least five short and rapid blasts indicate doubt about whether sufficient action is being taken.
22.A head-on situation exists at night when you see:
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Correct answer: B. Both sidelights and masthead lights nearly in line
Rule 14(b): head-on exists when a vessel sees both sidelights and/or masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line.
23.A vessel of less than 12 metres does not carry the appliances of Rule 33(a). What does Rule 33(b) require?
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Correct answer: D. Some other means of making an efficient sound signal
Rule 33(b): a vessel of less than 12 m is not obliged to carry the Rule 33(a) appliances, but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.
24.Under Rule 32, how long does a 'prolonged blast' last?
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Correct answer: C. From four to six seconds
Rule 32(c): a prolonged blast is a blast of from four to six seconds' duration. A blast of about one second is a short blast (Rule 32(b)).
25.The Steering and Sailing Rules in Section II (Rules 11–18) apply:
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Correct answer: B. Only to vessels in sight of one another
Rule 11: rules in Section II apply only to vessels in sight of one another, meaning one can be observed visually from the other. Radar contact alone does not count.
26.Navigation lights must be displayed:
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Correct answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and, if carried, also by day in restricted visibility
Rule 20(b) requires prescribed lights from sunset to sunrise. Under 20(c), those lights, if carried, must also be shown by day in restricted visibility and may be shown in other circumstances when deemed necessary.
27.How are the blue and yellow vertical stripes of an emergency wreck marking buoy arranged?
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Correct answer: B. 4 to 8 stripes, equal in number and width
R1001: equal numbers and widths of blue and yellow vertical stripes, with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 stripes in total.
28.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?
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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.
29.A vessel of 100 metres or more must carry:
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Correct answer: C. A whistle, bell, and gong
Rule 33: vessels 100m+ must have a whistle, bell, AND gong.
30.At night you see a white light flashing VQ(9) every 10 s. Which mark is it, and where does the navigable water lie?
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Correct answer: A. A West cardinal; navigable water lies to the west
VQ(9) 10 s (or Q(9) 15 s) is the West cardinal light: nine flashes, like 9 o'clock. Navigable water lies on the named side, to the west of the mark.
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