RYA Day Skipper Meteorology & Passage Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CPA (Closest Point of Approach) calculation shows another vessel will pass 0.1 nm off your bow in 8 minutes. What is the most appropriate action?
- Take early and substantial avoiding action well before the CPA, as 0.1 nm is too close (Correct answer)
- Maintain course and speed as the vessel passes ahead
- Sound 5 short blasts and stop engines
- Call the vessel on VHF and ask them to stop
Correct answer: Take early and substantial avoiding action well before the CPA, as 0.1 nm is too close
0.1 nm is dangerously close — at most small craft speeds this is under a minute of travel. The give-way vessel must take early, substantial action (COLREGs Rule 16) well before the CPA.
Question 2: A passage plan for a coastal trip should include which of the following?
- Intended route with waypoints, hazards, tidal gates, weather windows, abort points, and emergency contacts (Correct answer)
- Only the GPS waypoints for the route
- Fuel calculations only
- The skipper's estimated time of arrival
Correct answer: Intended route with waypoints, hazards, tidal gates, weather windows, abort points, and emergency contacts
A proper passage plan covers: route, waypoints, depths, tidal gates (timing critical for headlands), weather window, potential anchorages, abort options, and who holds a float plan ashore.
Question 3: A 'tidal gate' in passage planning refers to:
- A point where the tidal stream becomes favourable or adverse at a specific time, making timing critical (Correct answer)
- A lock or sluice gate on a tidal river
- A hazard only navigable at high water
- A waypoint near a tidal estuary
Correct answer: A point where the tidal stream becomes favourable or adverse at a specific time, making timing critical
A tidal gate is a stretch of water or headland where the tidal stream has a decisive effect on passage speed, safety, or feasibility. Timing arrival at tidal gates is a key passage planning skill.
Question 4: What does 'leeway' mean for a sailing yacht?
- The sideways drift of a sailing vessel caused by wind pushing the hull to leeward (Correct answer)
- The extra distance sailed beyond a waypoint
- The angle of heel of the yacht
- The wake left by the vessel
Correct answer: The sideways drift of a sailing vessel caused by wind pushing the hull to leeward
Leeway is the angular difference between the direction the boat is pointing (heading) and the direction it is actually moving through the water (course made good through water), caused by the wind's sideways force.
Question 5: A vessel's GPS shows Course Over Ground (COG) as 080°T and speed 5 knots. The compass heading is 090°T. What is the tidal set?
- The tide is setting toward approximately 350°–010°T (pushing northward), shifting the track left (Correct answer)
- The tide is setting eastward
- There is no tidal set
- The GPS is malfunctioning
Correct answer: The tide is setting toward approximately 350°–010°T (pushing northward), shifting the track left
The COG (080°) is to the left (north) of the heading (090°). This means the tide is pushing the vessel northward (set approximately north). The helmsman must steer right (090°) to track toward 080°.
Question 6: What information does a Navtex message provide?
- Navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and urgent notices to mariners for coastal waters (Correct answer)
- Only wind speed and direction
- Position fixes for vessels
- Details of harbour dues
Correct answer: Navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and urgent notices to mariners for coastal waters
Navtex (NBDP radio) automatically broadcasts navigational warnings, meteorological forecasts, and search-and-rescue information on 518 kHz in English for coastal waters.
RYA Day Skipper Meteorology & Passage Planning 2
A CPA (Closest Point of Approach) calculation shows another vessel will pass 0.1 nm off your bow in 8 minutes.
What is the most appropriate action?