RYA Day Skipper Passage Planning 2

Question 1

What factors should be considered when choosing a departure time for a coastal passage?

Accepted Answer

Tidal streams (to gain favourable current), depth of water at departure and arrival ports, weather windows, daylight hours, and crew fatigue

Answer

Departure timing considers favourable tidal streams, sufficient depth at both ports, weather conditions, available daylight, crew rest, and the overall passage duration to arrive at a suitable time.

Question 2

What is a 'pilotage plan' and when is it needed?

Accepted Answer

A detailed plan for navigating in confined or congested waters such as harbour entrances, rivers, and estuaries

Answer

A pilotage plan provides detailed instructions for navigating in confined waters — harbour approaches, rivers, and estuaries — where precise navigation is critical and there is little room for error.

Question 3

Why should a passage plan include a fuel calculation?

Accepted Answer

To ensure adequate fuel for the engine, including reserves for motoring in calms, charging batteries, and emergency manoeuvring

Answer

Even sailing yachts need fuel calculations for motoring in calms, battery charging, harbour manoeuvring, and emergencies. A prudent reserve (typically one-third) should always be maintained.

Question 4

What is the significance of 'notices to mariners' in passage planning?

Accepted Answer

Official publications providing updates on chart corrections, new hazards, changes to aids to navigation, and other navigational warnings

Answer

Notices to Mariners (NMs) provide critical updates including chart corrections, new or altered navigational aids, newly discovered hazards, and changes to regulations that could affect safe navigation.

Question 5

When planning a passage, what is the recommended safety margin when passing a headland or lee shore?

Accepted Answer

A generous clearance that accounts for tidal set, leeway, wind effects, and sea conditions — typically at least 1-2 nautical miles

Answer

A generous safety margin should be maintained when passing headlands and lee shores, accounting for tidal streams, wind-driven current, leeway, and the possibility of conditions worsening.

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Practice Test

RYA Day Skipper Passage Planning 2