RYA Day Skipper Pilotage & VHF DSC Basics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Day Skipper must be able to send a DSC distress alert. The quickest method is to:
- Lift the red cover on the dedicated distress button and hold it for 3–5 seconds (Correct answer)
- Call 999 on a mobile phone
- Send a Mayday on Channel 16 first
- Press any button on the radio
Correct answer: Lift the red cover on the dedicated distress button and hold it for 3–5 seconds
The dedicated distress button on a DSC radio, when held for 3–5 seconds, automatically sends a DSC distress alert on Channel 70 with MMSI, position (if GPS connected), and nature of distress.
Question 2: After sending a DSC distress alert, the skipper should immediately:
- Switch to Channel 16 and broadcast a Mayday voice message to supplement the DSC alert (Correct answer)
- Wait on Channel 70 for a reply
- Repeat the DSC alert every 2 minutes
- Switch off the radio to preserve battery
Correct answer: Switch to Channel 16 and broadcast a Mayday voice message to supplement the DSC alert
DSC alert and voice Mayday are complementary. After the DSC alert, switch to Ch 16 and broadcast the full Mayday message (MAYDAY × 3, vessel name × 3, position, nature of distress, number of persons, any useful information).
Question 3: The RYA Day Skipper course requires competence in VHF radio use. Which licence is required to operate a marine VHF radio legally?
- Short Range Certificate (SRC) — a OFCOM/MCA authorised qualification (Correct answer)
- A full amateur radio licence
- No licence is required for marine VHF
- An RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate
Correct answer: Short Range Certificate (SRC) — a OFCOM/MCA authorised qualification
The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum licence required to operate a DSC VHF marine radio. It is obtained by examination through RYA or other authorised providers.
Question 4: VHF Channel 16 should be monitored at all times because:
- It is the international distress, safety, and calling channel — all vessels must keep watch on it while at sea (Correct answer)
- It gives weather forecasts
- It is the channel for port authority clearance
- It broadcasts navigational warnings
Correct answer: It is the international distress, safety, and calling channel — all vessels must keep watch on it while at sea
Ch 16 is the international distress, urgency, and safety calling frequency. SOLAS requires all vessels to maintain a continuous watch. Working communications are then moved to an agreed working channel.
Question 5: A skipper hears a Mayday relay broadcast on Channel 16. This means:
- Another vessel or coastguard is relaying a distress call from a vessel that cannot broadcast itself (Correct answer)
- The coastguard is conducting a radio check
- A harbour master is announcing entry restrictions
- A vessel is testing its DSC equipment
Correct answer: Another vessel or coastguard is relaying a distress call from a vessel that cannot broadcast itself
A Mayday Relay (MAYDAY RELAY × 3) is issued when a vessel receives a distress signal but the distress vessel cannot communicate with rescue services directly, or when rescue services relay the information to all vessels.
Question 6: Which of the following distress signals is NOT listed under COLREGs Annex IV?
- Waving a blue flag continuously (Correct answer)
- Orange smoke
- A continuous sounding with any fog signalling device
- A gun fired at intervals of about one minute
Correct answer: Waving a blue flag continuously
Orange smoke, continuous fog signals, and gun firing are all valid COLREGs Annex IV distress signals. Waving a blue flag is not listed — the correct flag signal is the Code N over C (or a square flag with a ball above or below it).
RYA Day Skipper Pilotage & VHF DSC Basics 2
A Day Skipper must be able to send a DSC distress alert.
The quickest method is to: