RYA Day Skipper Buoyage & COLREGs

Question 1

Under IALA Region A buoyage (used in UK and Europe), what does a red can buoy on the port hand indicate when entering harbour?

Accepted Answer

The buoy marks the port side of the channel — keep it to port (vessel's left) when entering

Answer

In IALA Region A, port hand buoys are RED (can-shaped) and kept to the vessel's PORT side when proceeding in the conventional direction of buoyage (generally entering harbour or going clockwise around land masses).

Question 2

What is the topmark of a South Cardinal mark?

Accepted Answer

Two cones, both pointing downward (points down)

Answer

South Cardinal: both cones point DOWN. Memory aid: South = points down, like the letter 'V' or think 'south is below, cones below.' Light character: Fl(6)+LFl every 15s.

Question 3

Under COLREGs Rule 18, in which order of priority must vessels keep out of the way of other vessels?

Accepted Answer

Power-driven vessels give way to sailing vessels, fishing vessels, and vessels constrained by draught, in that order

Answer

Rule 18 establishes a hierarchy: power-driven vessels yield to sailing vessels, vessels fishing (gear out), vessels not under command (NUC), and vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre (RAM) and constrained by draught (CBD). Smaller sailing vessels also give way to large ships restricted in channels.

Question 4

COLREGs Rule 9 states that a vessel should not impede the passage of a vessel that can only navigate safely within a narrow channel. Which vessel class might this apply to?

Accepted Answer

A large container ship in a dredged channel

Answer

Rule 9 protects vessels that are constrained by the channel dimensions — typically large deep-draught ships in narrow dredged channels. Small vessels must not force them to alter course.

Question 5

A safe water mark in IALA Region A has which characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Red and white vertical stripes, spherical topmark, Morse A light character

Answer

Safe water marks (fairway/landfall buoys) are red and white vertical stripes, with a red spherical topmark. Light: white Morse A (·−) or isophase/occulting white.

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Buoyage & COLREGs