RYA Day Skipper Buoyage & COLREGs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vessel sees the following lights at night: red over white over red. What does this mean?
- The vessel is a pilot vessel on duty (Correct answer)
- The vessel is fishing
- The vessel is NUC (not under command)
- The vessel is towing
Correct answer: The vessel is a pilot vessel on duty
Red over white over red is the light combination for a pilot vessel on duty (COLREGs Rule 29). It may also show sidelights and sternlight when underway.
Question 2: In a head-on situation between two power-driven vessels at night, both see each other's red and green sidelights. What should each vessel do?
- Both alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port (Correct answer)
- Both alter course to port
- The smaller vessel gives way
- The vessel on the right gives way
Correct answer: Both alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port
COLREGs Rule 14: in a head-on situation, both vessels are give-way vessels and both must alter to starboard, passing port side to port side.
Question 3: What lights must a vessel of less than 7 metres in length, capable of no more than 7 knots, show at night?
- An all-round white light, plus sidelights if practicable (Correct answer)
- Full sidelights and a sternlight only
- Three all-round lights — red, green, white
- Red over white lights
Correct answer: An all-round white light, plus sidelights if practicable
COLREGs Annex I and Rule 23(d): small vessels under 7m and 7 knots need only show an all-round white light. Sidelights are shown if practicable.
Question 4: A North Cardinal mark should be passed to the:
- North of the mark (Correct answer)
- South of the mark
- East of the mark
- West of the mark
Correct answer: North of the mark
Cardinal marks indicate safe water in the direction the mark's name suggests. A North Cardinal is passed to its north — safe water lies to the north of the hazard.
Question 5: COLREGs Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain:
- A proper lookout by sight and hearing, using all available means (Correct answer)
- Automatic Identification System (AIS) at all times
- A radar watch only
- A VHF radio watch on Channel 16
Correct answer: A proper lookout by sight and hearing, using all available means
Rule 5 is fundamental: a proper lookout must be kept at all times by sight and hearing, and by radar, AIS, and all other means appropriate to the circumstances.
Question 6: A vessel displays a black ball at anchor by day. Under COLREGs, where must this be displayed?
- In the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen (Correct answer)
- At the masthead
- At the stern
- On the port spreader
Correct answer: In the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen
COLREGs Rule 30: a vessel at anchor shows a black ball forward. By night, an all-round white light is shown forward (and for vessels over 50m, a second all-round white light aft).
RYA Day Skipper Buoyage & COLREGs 2
A vessel sees the following lights at night: red over white over red.
What does this mean?