RYA Day Skipper Safety Equipment & Procedures — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct sequence for deploying a liferaft?
- Secure the painter to the vessel, throw the raft overboard, allow painter to deploy, pull sharply to inflate (Correct answer)
- Inflate the raft on deck, then slide it over the side
- Throw the raft in and jump in after it
- Deploy the raft from downwind to ensure it drifts toward crew
Correct answer: Secure the painter to the vessel, throw the raft overboard, allow painter to deploy, pull sharply to inflate
The painter must be secured to the vessel first, then the raft is thrown over. The painter pulls the CO2 inflation mechanism. Inflate on deck only if there is no other option as it is harder to deploy.
Question 2: What is the minimum life jacket buoyancy recommended for offshore coastal sailing under the RYA Day Skipper standard?
- 150N — suitable for offshore and coastal sailing where self-righting is required (Correct answer)
- 50N — adequate for calm inshore waters
- 100N — suitable for sheltered waters
- 275N — required only for survival suit categories
Correct answer: 150N — suitable for offshore and coastal sailing where self-righting is required
150N lifejackets provide sufficient buoyancy to turn an unconscious person face-up in rough water. They are recommended for coastal and offshore use. 100N is suitable for sheltered waters where help is nearby.
Question 3: The ISAF/World Sailing category for a Day Skipper-level coastal passage (up to 60 nm offshore) requires which safety equipment standard?
- The appropriate offshore category — typically Category 4 or 3 depending on distance — with flares, liferaft, and jackstays (Correct answer)
- No special safety equipment is required
- Only a lifejacket per crew member
- AIS and EPIRB only
Correct answer: The appropriate offshore category — typically Category 4 or 3 depending on distance — with flares, liferaft, and jackstays
Offshore coastal passages require appropriate safety gear including flares (valid), liferaft (if required by conditions/distance), jackstays, tethers, and emergency equipment proportional to the passage category.
Question 4: Pyrotechnic flares used on UK vessels expire after:
- 3 years from date of manufacture (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 1 year
- 10 years
Correct answer: 3 years from date of manufacture
UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) guidance states pyrotechnic flares must be replaced 3 years after date of manufacture (or at the expiry date printed on the flare).
Question 5: A MOB (man overboard) situation occurs. The first crew member to spot the casualty should:
- Maintain constant visual watch on the casualty, point continuously, and shout 'man overboard' (Correct answer)
- Jump in to assist immediately
- Go below to get the lifering
- Call the coastguard first
Correct answer: Maintain constant visual watch on the casualty, point continuously, and shout 'man overboard'
Maintaining sight of the casualty is the first priority — once lost in the water, finding them again is extremely difficult. Other crew deal with the manoeuvre and equipment deployment.
Question 6: When wearing a harness and tether on deck at night, a crew member should:
- Keep the tether attached to jackstays or strong points at all times and use a short tether to prevent going over the side (Correct answer)
- Remove the tether for freedom of movement
- Attach the tether to the guardrails
- Wear the tether only in harbour
Correct answer: Keep the tether attached to jackstays or strong points at all times and use a short tether to prevent going over the side
Jackstays run fore-and-aft along the deck specifically for tether attachment. A short tether limits how far a crew member can be dragged before reaching the water — tether discipline saves lives.
RYA Day Skipper Safety Equipment & Procedures
What is the correct sequence for deploying a liferaft?