RYA Day Skipper Radio Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a radio check before departure?
- To confirm the radio is transmitting and receiving clearly on all required channels, especially Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- To contact the coastguard for a passage plan submission
- To check the weather forecast only
- To obtain harbour clearance
Correct answer: To confirm the radio is transmitting and receiving clearly on all required channels, especially Channel 16
A radio check (calling a marina, coastguard, or using the HMCG (HM Coastguard) radio check service) confirms the radio works before you need it in an emergency.
Question 2: Under the Short Range Certificate syllabus, what is the correct procedure after a false DSC distress alert is transmitted?
- Immediately transmit a cancellation message on Ch 16 and notify the nearest coast guard on Ch 16 (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as it was a mistake
- Switch off the radio
- Send a Pan Pan to cancel the Mayday
Correct answer: Immediately transmit a cancellation message on Ch 16 and notify the nearest coast guard on Ch 16
A false alert must be cancelled immediately on Ch 16: state the vessel name/MMSI, that the distress alert was transmitted in error, and that no assistance is required. This prevents costly and dangerous SAR resource deployment.
Question 3: Channel 67 in UK coastal waters is used for:
- HM Coastguard small craft safety information — a working channel for safety calls with HMCG (Correct answer)
- International distress only
- Ship-to-ship private calls
- Weather broadcasts only
Correct answer: HM Coastguard small craft safety information — a working channel for safety calls with HMCG
In UK waters, HMCG uses Ch 67 as the working channel for small craft. After initial contact on Ch 16, communications with HMCG are typically conducted on Ch 67.
Question 4: A vessel is dismasted and in urgent need of assistance but not immediately in danger of sinking. The correct call is:
- Pan Pan — this is an urgency situation, not immediate danger to life (Correct answer)
- Mayday — any emergency requires a Mayday
- Securité — it is a hazard to other vessels
- No call — wait and see if the situation worsens
Correct answer: Pan Pan — this is an urgency situation, not immediate danger to life
Mayday is for immediate grave danger; Pan Pan is for urgency requiring assistance where life is not immediately threatened. A dismasting in calm conditions requiring a tow is a Pan Pan situation.
Question 5: What information must be included in a Mayday voice message?
- MAYDAY × 3, vessel name × 3, position, nature of distress, number of persons on board, any other relevant information (Correct answer)
- Only position and vessel name
- MAYDAY × 3 and position only
- Vessel name and destination
Correct answer: MAYDAY × 3, vessel name × 3, position, nature of distress, number of persons on board, any other relevant information
The full Mayday voice message format: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, THIS IS [vessel name × 3], MMSI [number], MY POSITION IS [lat/long or bearing/distance], [nature of distress], [persons on board], [any other information e.g. abandoning to liferaft].
Question 6: A VHF radio with DSC fitted should display the time and position automatically if:
- A GPS receiver is connected to the radio's data input (Correct answer)
- The radio is turned on
- The boat is in harbour
- The radio is set to high power
Correct answer: A GPS receiver is connected to the radio's data input
DSC radios display time and position when a GPS (providing NMEA data) is interfaced with the radio's data port. This ensures accurate position data is included in any automatic distress transmission.
RYA Day Skipper Radio Procedures 2
What is the purpose of a radio check before departure?