RYA Day Skipper Lights & Shapes 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What lights must a power-driven vessel of less than 50m show when underway at night?
- Sidelights and sternlight only
- Masthead light, sidelights and sternlight (Correct answer)
- Two masthead lights, sidelights and sternlight
- Masthead light, anchor light and sidelights
Correct answer: Masthead light, sidelights and sternlight
A power-driven vessel under 50m requires one forward masthead light (225°), red and green sidelights (112.5° each), and a white sternlight (135°).
Question 2: What is the arc of visibility of a vessel's sternlight?
- 225°
- 360°
- 135° (Correct answer)
- 112.5°
Correct answer: 135°
The sternlight shines from 67.5° either side of dead astern, giving a total arc of 135°.
Question 3: What day shape must a vessel at anchor display?
- A black ball (Correct answer)
- A black cone
- A black diamond
- Two black balls
Correct answer: A black ball
A vessel at anchor must hoist a black ball shape in the forepart of the vessel where it can best be seen.
Question 4: A sailing vessel proceeding under sail and engine simultaneously must display what day shape?
- A black ball
- A black cylinder
- Two black cones
- A cone, point downwards (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A cone, point downwards
A sailing vessel using its engine must display a cone, apex downwards, in the fore part of the vessel, indicating it is not purely under sail.
Question 5: Which vessels display two all-round red lights in a vertical line at night?
- Vessel at anchor
- Vessel constrained by draught
- Vessel not under command (Correct answer)
- Pilot vessel
Correct answer: Vessel not under command
A vessel not under command shows two all-round red lights vertically, indicating it cannot manoeuvre due to exceptional circumstances and cannot keep out of the way.
Question 6: What lights must a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre show (in addition to steaming lights)?
- Two all-round lights: red over white
- Three all-round lights: white, red, white
- Three all-round lights: red, green, red
- Three all-round lights: red, white, red (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Three all-round lights: red, white, red
A vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre shows three all-round lights vertically (red, white, red top to bottom), in addition to normal steaming and sidelights when making way.
Question 7: A vessel aground at night shows what additional lights beyond her anchor lights?
- Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
- Two all-round red lights in a vertical line (Correct answer)
- One all-round red light
- Red and white all-round lights in a vertical line
Correct answer: Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
A vessel aground shows her normal anchor lights plus two additional all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line.
RYA Day Skipper Lights & Shapes 1
What lights must a power-driven vessel of less than 50m show when underway at night?