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 alerts only.
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 draft plus a safety margin.
Day Skipper theory
Where can I take a free Day Skipper theory mock test?
Start with a free mini mock or diagnostic quiz, then use a full mixed mock when you want timed practice.
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.
Day Skipper
Free questions
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?When facing forward, which side of the boat is 'port'?What colour is associated with the starboard side?What is the 'draft' of a vessel?What does a halyard do?What is the companionway?What is 'leeward' and how is it pronounced?What is the difference between a vessel's 'course' and 'track'?What does it mean to 'gybe'?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 are the front and back of a boat called?If a crew member is asked to move aft, where should they move?What does amidships mean?What buoyancy rating is a standard coastal lifejacket?On which VHF channel is a voice MAYDAY distress call broadcast?What are the three elements of the fire triangle?Why must you NEVER attach a helicopter winch wire to the boat?
Marine Radio
Free questions
What is the difference between Mayday and Pan-Pan?What is the difference between VHF Channel 16 and Channel 70?You have bought a handheld VHF for your boat. What does holding the SRC primarily prove?A learner has completed online revision and wants the official SRC assessment. Where is the practical assessment taken?A boat has a ship radio licence and an MMSI. What separate thing does the operator still need for normal SRC-covered operation?Which phrase best separates the two licensing ideas?Why does MMSI identity matter in this topic?What should a strong Licensing & SRC Exam answer include first?What is the safest habit after making an important VHF transmission?What is the main trap to avoid in Licensing & SRC Exam?What makes a radio call useful to the receiving station?How should Ship radio and portable licences be revised?Which answer shows exam-ready SRC understanding?What should you do if your first transmission receives no reply?What should you do before making a routine VHF Radio call?What does PTT stand for?Why does a masthead antenna usually outperform a handheld?What should a strong VHF Radio Basics answer include first?What is the safest habit after making an important VHF transmission?What is the main trap to avoid in VHF Radio Basics?What makes a radio call useful to the receiving station?How should PTT and listening watch be revised?
Coastal Skipper
Free questions
When facing forward, which side of the boat is 'port'?What colour is associated with the starboard side?What is the 'draft' of a vessel?What does a halyard do?What is the companionway?What is 'leeward' and how is it pronounced?What is the difference between a vessel's 'course' and 'track'?What does it mean to 'gybe'?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 is a lee shore and why is it considered dangerous?What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?In navigation, what is 'fetch'?What is a weather shore?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'?
Yachtmaster
Free questions
When facing forward, which side of the boat is 'port'?What colour is associated with the starboard side?What is the 'draft' of a vessel?What does a halyard do?What is the companionway?What is 'leeward' and how is it pronounced?What is the difference between a vessel's 'course' and 'track'?What does it mean to 'gybe'?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 is a lee shore and why is it considered dangerous?What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?In navigation, what is 'fetch'?What is a weather shore?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'?
Essential Navigation
Free questions
What is the safest first shape for a beginner short-trip plan?Which item belongs in a useful crew briefing?Why can a speed limit still require a lower speed?Which change should trigger a plan review?What is the strongest beginner communication plan?What is the best time to turn back from a short trip?Which source can reveal harbour or launch-site restrictions?What is a common unsafe beginner habit?What is the best beginner use of a nautical chart?What should you do before relying on an unfamiliar chart symbol?Which position habit is strongest?What is the risk of mixing position formats?To estimate water available over a charted depth, what must be considered?Why is the last trusted position useful?What should a beginner avoid with marginal depths?What is a useful way to spot that the boat is not where expected?In IALA Region A, what do red and green lateral marks depend on?What does a north cardinal mark indicate?What should you do with a yellow special mark?Which mark sits on or close to a small hazard with navigable water around it?
CEVNI
Free questions
What is the most accurate description of CEVNI for an inland ICC candidate?Which topic belongs inside a genuine CEVNI revision guide?What is the safest assumption when moving from coastal water into a signed canalised river?A learner recognises a sign name but cannot say what action it requires. What is missing?Why should CEVNI revision include commercial traffic scenarios?A CEVNI sign tells vessels not to berth on the side of the waterway where it is placed. Which family is it?Which response best fits a mandatory sign to keep to the starboard side of the fairway?A board before a bridge shows limited headroom. What should the skipper check first?What is the main danger of reading a supplementary panel too late?Which sign family normally tells you about a facility, permission, feature, or useful notice?A signed speed limit is best treated as:What should you do if a sign appears to control only one bridge opening?Which pair is a common exam trap?What does a blue board with a white scintillating light normally indicate on CEVNI waterways where it is used?Blue cones or blue lights on an inland vessel are associated with:Why is a pushed convoy a special concern for a small craft?A lock approach shows a red signal. What is the correct behaviour?What is the best first question when you see unusual lights on a commercial vessel inland?Which action is unsafe around a tow or pushed convoy?A green lock light means:
Radar
Free questions
What is the safest description of a radar display?Why can a weak or missing echo still matter?What can create a radar shadow sector on a small boat?What should you do when the radar picture is unclear in restricted water?Which target might radar show even if AIS does not?What is the main risk of treating radar as an all-seeing sensor?Which order is strongest before a radar-based decision?What remains required even when radar is fitted and working?Why can a clean-looking radar display be unsafe?What does gain primarily affect?What is the risk of excessive sea clutter suppression?When should rain clutter be adjusted?Why use more than one range scale?Which adjustment habit is best?Why must you know the display orientation?What should a sudden disappearance of a weak echo prompt?What does a VRM measure?What does an EBL measure?Why are repeated range and bearing observations useful?What is essential before using a radar echo for a fix?
Powerboat ICC
Free questions
What is the ICC best described as?What does Level 2 Powerboat Handling focus on?What should be checked before relying on an ICC abroad?What is a poor interpretation of a certificate?When might CEVNI become relevant to an ICC user?What does a competent powerboat driver do with unfamiliar conditions?What should be current and matched to intended use?Why are pre-departure checks especially important in powerboats?How should a kill cord be used?What should be included in a powerboat fuel check?What should be done with loose gear before planing speed?What should a passenger briefing include?What should happen during a helm handover?