RYA Day Skipper Coastal Navigation & Chart Work

Question 1

On an Admiralty chart, a depth sounding shown in bold italic figures indicates:

Accepted Answer

A drying height — the figure is the height above chart datum when dry

Answer

Bold italic soundings on a chart are drying heights — areas that dry out at low water. The figure gives the height above chart datum (CD) at which the feature dries.

Question 2

What does a purple flashing light symbol with the annotation 'Fl(3)10s15m10M' indicate on a chart?

Accepted Answer

A light that flashes 3 times, has a period of 10 seconds, is 15 metres high, visible for 10 nautical miles

Answer

The notation is standard: Fl(3) = 3 flashes per period; 10s = period of 10 seconds; 15m = height of light above MHWS; 10M = nominal range in nautical miles.

Question 3

A skipper plots a course of 135°T. Variation is 3°W and deviation is 2°E. What is the compass course to steer?

Accepted Answer

134°C

Answer

True to Compass: apply variation (W = add) → 135 + 3 = 138°M; apply deviation (E = subtract from magnetic) → 138 − 2 = 136°C. Wait — error correction: T+3W = 138M, 138M−2E dev = 136°C. Correct answer: 136°C.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the 'estimated position' (EP) on a chart?

Accepted Answer

To show the vessel's best-estimated position using course, speed, and tidal data when no fix is available

Answer

An EP is derived by applying water track (course and log) and tidal stream to the last known position. It is less reliable than a fix but better than nothing.

Question 5

On a chart, a wreck is shown with a dashed outline. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

A dangerous wreck, the depth over which is unknown or less than 20 metres

Answer

A wreck with a dashed outline (and often a cross) indicates a dangerous wreck. The dashed outline signals uncertainty about safe clearance depth.

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Coastal Navigation & Chart Work