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Free boating theory questions and short answers

Search-friendly answers for Day Skipper theory, Marine Radio SRC, VHF procedure, buoyage, lights, tides, CEVNI and practical revision. Each page has one question, a short answer, a mini quiz and a link to revise the full topic.

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Buoyage

What colour is a port-hand mark in IALA Region A?

A port-hand mark is red in IALA Region A.

Marine Radio SRC

What is the difference between Mayday and Pan-Pan?

Mayday is distress with grave and imminent danger; Pan-Pan is urgency without immediate grave danger.

Marine Radio SRC

What is the difference between VHF Channel 16 and Channel 70?

Channel 16 is for voice distress, urgency, safety and calling; Channel 70 is for DSC signalling only, with no voice traffic.

Lights and shapes

What is an isophase light?

An isophase light has equal periods of light and darkness.

Tides

How do you calculate tidal height for a simple depth check?

Add the height of tide to the charted depth, then compare the result with draught plus a safety margin.

Signal flags

What does a yellow flag mean on a boat?

A plain yellow Quebec flag means the vessel is healthy and requests free pratique.

Garbage

Under MARPOL Annex V, which garbage must not be deliberately discharged at sea?

Plastics

Depth planning

Which sequence correctly turns compatible chart and tide inputs into a depth decision?

Charted depth plus tide height, then compare with draught and safety margin

Red shore control

A red lock signal remains displayed while the chamber appears empty. What is the defensible action?

Hold outside until the signal permits entry

Crossing targets

How should a crossing contact be assessed?

Use timed range/bearing, the applicable visibility Rule context, whole-picture action and fresh checks

Datum and depth

What is Chart Datum approximately equal to in most UK tidal waters?

Lowest Astronomical Tide

Recognition method

Which observation report is strong enough to support a CEVNI vessel-light interpretation?

Report every cue, its context, meaning and required action

Meeting traffic

What should shape a CEVNI meeting decision before two vessels enter a narrow fairway?

Classify the meeting, read the signs and scope, and prove the full fairway is wide enough before either vessel commits

DSC fundamentals

Which channel is used for VHF DSC digital signalling?

Channel 70

Working channels

Why should detailed routine traffic move from an initial calling route to a suitable working channel?

To keep the calling and safety route clear

Scope

What does scope describe in this small-boat anchoring plan?

The ratio of cable paid out to the planned vertical distance from its lead to the seabed

Position coordinates

For practical Mercator chartwork, one minute on the nearby latitude scale represents what distance?

One nautical mile

Terms

On a vessel's sidelights, what colour marks the starboard side?

Green

Terms

What is the 'draught' of a vessel?

The depth of the hull below the waterline

Terms

What does a halyard do?

Hoists a sail up the mast

Terms

What is 'leeward' and how is it pronounced?

Away from the wind — 'loo-ard'

Terms

What is 'freeboard'?

The height of the deck above the waterline

Terms

What is the 'kicking strap' (vang) used for?

Holding the boom down to control mainsail shape

Terms

What does 'abeam' mean?

At right angles to the vessel's centreline

Terms

What is the difference between a 'shroud' and a 'stay'?

Shrouds support the mast from the sides; stays support it fore and aft

Terms

What does amidships mean?

The middle area of the vessel

Coastal planning

What is a lee shore and why is it considered dangerous?

A shore towards which the wind blows — dangerous because wind and waves can reduce sea room and drive the vessel towards danger

Direction and movement

What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?

Course is a specified intended or steered direction; track is the actual path made over the ground

Coastal planning

In navigation, what is 'fetch'?

The distance over water for which wind blows in a broadly consistent direction—one factor in wave development

Direction and movement

What does 'making good' a course mean?

Actually achieving the desired track over the ground; planned corrections may help, but the result is observed

Coastal planning

What is a transit in navigation?

Two identified charted objects observed in line, giving one line of position without a compass

COLREG terminology

What does it mean when a vessel is described as 'making way through the water'?

The vessel is moving relative to the surrounding water

Direction and movement

What is the difference between 'heading' and 'bearing'?

Heading is the direction the bow points; bearing is the direction of an external object measured from the vessel or from north

Special marks

What should you do with a yellow special mark?

Check the chart and current publication to identify its purpose, limits and route implication

Hazard marks

Which mark sits on or close to a small hazard with navigable water around it?

An isolated danger mark, with the chart used to resolve the danger's extent and passing distance

Terms

What does it mean to 'gybe'?

To turn the stern through the wind

Shared-channel operation

What should you do before making a routine marine VHF voice call?

Listen and confirm the channel is clear of existing or higher-priority traffic

Distress threshold

A yacht is being driven onto rocks, cannot arrest the approach and needs immediate outside help. Which priority is appropriate?

Mayday, because the danger is grave and imminent and immediate assistance is required

Operator authority

A boat has a Ship Radio Licence and an MMSI. What separate operator condition applies to ordinary SRC-covered use?

An appropriate operator certificate, or direct supervision by someone who holds one

Distress alerting

What is an EPIRB's primary alerting function?

Send a vessel-associated 406 MHz distress alert through the satellite system

Safety information

What may safely be concluded from an AIS display with no target at the harbour entrance?

Only that no received AIS report currently creates a displayed target

MMSI

What does an MMSI identify?

An assigned maritime radio station or group identity

Routine voice procedure

Which phrase correctly introduces your own vessel identity in a routine voice call?

This is

Lock preparation

A small craft reaches a lock before a commercial vessel and both will share it. When should the small craft enter?

Only when invited by staff, after the other vessel, even though it arrived first

Radar picture

What does a radar display show?

Returned energy needing interpretation

Harbour approach

What is the safest response to an uncertain harbour radar picture?

Slow, hold safe water or wait, and rebuild the picture before entering

Applied understanding

A learner recognises a bridge signal but cannot say what action it requires or what local fact remains to be checked. What is missing?

The operational consequence and evidence limit: whether to stop, wait, pass, call or use another opening, plus the current local control

Competence boundary

Why is passing a CEVNI multiple-choice test not enough preparation for a busy commercial waterway?

Knowledge evidence does not demonstrate current handling, lock, radio or command competence around constrained traffic

Helm handover

What should happen during a helm handover?

Deliberate control handover, kill cord transfer, and maintained lookout

Browse by course or topic

Day Skipper34Show this course as a focused list
What colour is a port-hand mark in IALA Region A?What is an isophase light?How do you calculate tidal height for a simple depth check?Where can I take a free Day Skipper theory mock test?What does a yellow flag mean on a boat?What is Chart Datum approximately equal to in most UK tidal waters?For practical Mercator chartwork, one minute on the nearby latitude scale represents what distance?On a vessel's sidelights, what colour marks the starboard side?What is the 'draught' of a vessel?What does a halyard do?What is 'leeward' and how is it pronounced?What is 'freeboard'?What is the 'kicking strap' (vang) used for?What does 'abeam' mean?What is the difference between a 'shroud' and a 'stay'?What does amidships mean?What does it mean to 'gybe'?When facing forward, which side of the boat is 'port'?Which lifejacket level is typically intended for coastal and offshore use?Which garbage has no MARPOL Annex V discharge exception and must always be retained?Two sailing vessels are approaching each other. Vessel A is on port tack, Vessel B is on starboard tack. Who gives way?When entering harbour from seaward in Region A, what colour marks should be on your port side?What is 'variation' in compass work?What does 'Fl(3) W 15s' mean on a chart?What is the difference between a DR position and an EP?What does a large-scale chart show?What does 'veering' mean in weather terminology?What does APEM stand for in passage planning?A yacht is under sail and its propulsion machinery is not being used. Which Rule 35 signal should it make in restricted visibility?Which property most strongly supports considering a suitable nylon product for mooring lines and anchor warps?As an initial guide in moderate conditions, what scope is commonly taught for all-chain cable?Which task are navigators' dividers designed to perform in paper chartwork?On which VHF channel is a voice MAYDAY distress call broadcast?Under the current England marine and coastal wildlife visitor code, how far should a motorised vessel stay from marine wildlife?
Marine Radio23Show this course as a focused list
What is the difference between Mayday and Pan-Pan?What is the difference between VHF Channel 16 and Channel 70?Which channel is used for VHF DSC digital signalling?Why should detailed routine traffic move from an initial calling route to a suitable working channel?What should you do before making a routine marine VHF voice call?A yacht is being driven onto rocks, cannot arrest the approach and needs immediate outside help. Which priority is appropriate?A boat has a Ship Radio Licence and an MMSI. What separate operator condition applies to ordinary SRC-covered use?What is an EPIRB's primary alerting function?What may safely be concluded from an AIS display with no target at the harbour entrance?What does an MMSI identify?Which phrase correctly introduces your own vessel identity in a routine voice call?You have bought a handheld VHF for your boat. What does holding the SRC primarily prove?What does Say Again request?Which description of Channel 16 is operationally correct?A crew member needs urgent medical advice, but the facts do not yet show grave and imminent danger. Which route fits?Which statement correctly distinguishes the simulator's microphone paths?A learner has completed online revision and wants the official SRC assessment. Where is the practical assessment taken?What does PTT mean in normal VHF operation?Why should Over and Out not be combined?What is the defining operating rule for Channel 70?Which position report gives responders the most usable information when the coordinate is current and verified?Which signal introduces an authorised general navigation-safety message?What matters most when reviewing a spoken radio call?
Coastal Skipper12Show this course as a focused list
Under MARPOL Annex V, which garbage must not be deliberately discharged at sea?What is a lee shore and why is it considered dangerous?What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?In navigation, what is 'fetch'?What does 'making good' a course mean?What is a transit in navigation?What does it mean when a vessel is described as 'making way through the water'?What is the difference between 'heading' and 'bearing'?Two sailing vessels are in sight with collision risk. Vessel A is on port tack and Vessel B is on starboard tack. Who keeps out of the way?Following the charted conventional direction of buoyage in Region A, which normal lateral colour marks the port-hand side of the channel?What Rule 35 signal should a yacht under sail alone make in restricted visibility?Under the current marine and coastal wildlife visitor code for England, how far should a motorised vessel stay from marine wildlife?
Essential Navigation22Show this course as a focused list
Which sequence correctly turns compatible chart and tide inputs into a depth decision?What does scope describe in this small-boat anchoring plan?What should you do with a yellow special mark?Which mark sits on or close to a small hazard with navigable water around it?What is the safest first shape for a beginner short-trip plan?For the final approach to a harbour, which chart choice gives the strongest starting evidence?In IALA Region A, what do red and green lateral marks depend on?Which pre-departure weather pack supports a short-trip go/no-go decision?What are the two basic habits behind collision avoidance?Which description best captures pilotage near a harbour?Which set of checks belongs before choosing an anchorage?A familiar short trip is proposed. What is the governing purpose of its passage plan?The plotter position looks precise, but depth and visual marks disagree. What is the safest role for the electronics?Which item belongs in a useful crew briefing?A route crosses an unfamiliar symbol in apparently deep-coloured water. What should you do before relying on the route?What does a north cardinal mark indicate?A shallow-water calculation only just exceeds the chosen requirement. Why must the safety margin remain in the decision?Why must the forecast wind direction be drawn against the actual route?What does constant bearing with decreasing range suggest?Which feature makes a pilotage cue operationally useful?Why must a round trip appraise the return separately rather than reverse the outward assumptions?Why can zoom level be a navigation trap?
CEVNI24Show this course as a focused list
A red lock signal remains displayed while the chamber appears empty. What is the defensible action?Which observation report is strong enough to support a CEVNI vessel-light interpretation?What should shape a CEVNI meeting decision before two vessels enter a narrow fairway?A small craft reaches a lock before a commercial vessel and both will share it. When should the small craft enter?A learner recognises a bridge signal but cannot say what action it requires or what local fact remains to be checked. What is missing?Why is passing a CEVNI multiple-choice test not enough preparation for a busy commercial waterway?A learner says, ‘CEVNI is one identical law that gives me permission to use every European waterway.’ Which correction is strongest?A.5 tells vessels not to berth on the side where the board is placed. Which interpretation is complete?An upstream commercial vessel displays the prescribed light-blue board and bright white scintillating light to an approaching downstream vessel. What arrangement is it indicating?A vessel gives one long blast near a blind fairway section. What is the sound signal communicating?A lock gate is moving and red plus green entry lights show. What is the correct decision?What is the safest and most accurate view of a pushed convoy?An A.5 no-berthing sign has an arrow marked 1000 m. What is the correct reading?A sample item shows A.5, an arrow and 1000 m. What should you identify first?A UK applicant has passed the RYA CEVNI test but has not applied for an ICC or supplied boat-category competence evidence. What have they established?B.3b requires a vessel to keep to the starboard side of the fairway. Which response follows the exact instruction?Which statement preserves the exact distinction between CEVNI blue dangerous-goods and authority signals?Which method best separates look-alike CEVNI sound signals?Travelling downstream, you see the prescribed blue-board meeting indication on an upstream vessel's starboard side. What must you avoid?You see a towing leader but cannot find the last section. Which action is unsafe?When is a berth unsuitable despite available space?How should you decide between two technically plausible CEVNI options?Before moving from coastal water into a signed canalised river, what is the safest planning decision?A C.2 board before a bridge shows 3.50 m. What is the defensible pre-entry check for a boat with 3.20 m maximum air draught?
Radar21Show this course as a focused list
How should a crossing contact be assessed?What does a radar display show?What is the safest response to an uncertain harbour radar picture?Why can a clean-looking radar display be unsafe?What does a VRM measure?Which factors affect target strength on radar?A relative plot forecasts a CPA of 1.0 M. What does CPA mean here?Why is AIS not a complete traffic picture?What is radar pilotage best used for?What does radar allow in restricted visibility?What is the first step in a radar scenario?Why must a small craft remain in the risk picture when its echo fades in rough water?What does gain primarily affect?What does an EBL measure?What is the safest claim about radar reflectors?What does a plotted TCPA of 30 minutes mean?What should you do with a radar echo that has no AIS label?What is parallel indexing?What is the safest response if CPA is uncertain in fog?A blank wedge remains on the same relative bearing when the boat changes heading. Which cause should be investigated first?What is the risk of excessive sea clutter suppression?
Powerboat ICC21Show this course as a focused list
What should happen during a helm handover?What is the ICC best described as?Why are pre-departure checks especially important in powerboats?What should be assessed before committing to a slipway launch?What is the safest close-quarters speed principle?What changes most at planing speed?What is the first crew action after someone falls overboard?What should be considered before anchoring?What is safe speed?What should a short powerboat passage plan include?What does Level 2 Powerboat Handling focus on?How should a kill cord be used?Why check the tide window before launch?Why use short bursts of power?When should speed be reduced near a hazard?A person overboard is alongside the recovery point. Which engine control is essential before bringing them within reach of the propeller?What confirms an anchor is probably holding?What should powerboats do in a head-on situation?Why plan the return before leaving?What should be checked before relying on an ICC abroad?What should be included in a powerboat fuel check?
Yachtmaster3Show this course as a focused list
Which radio call is used for grave and imminent danger?What is the safest Yachtmaster-level approach to electronic navigation?Why can carbon monoxide become dangerous aboard without being noticed?