RYA Yachtmaster Advanced Navigation

Question 1

When using a tidal stream atlas, a skipper needs to interpolate between springs and neaps.
The spring rate is 3.4 knots and neap rate is 1.6 knots.
Today's range is 75% of springs.
What is the approximate tidal rate?

Accepted Answer

2.95 knots

Answer

3.4 knots

Answer

2.5 knots

Answer

1.6 knots

Question 2

A vessel makes a cross-track error of 1.5 nm after 6 hours of sailing. The tidal stream was running athwartships at 0.5 knots for the whole passage. Has the tidal prediction been accurate?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 0.5 knots × 6 hours = 3 nm set, but actual error is 1.5 nm, suggesting other factors or the stream was less than predicted on average

Answer

No — the numbers confirm exact accuracy

Answer

No — the error should be zero if prediction was correct

Answer

Yes — the 1.5 nm error confirms a 2-knot stream

Question 3

What is the difference between a 'water track' and a 'ground track' in coastal navigation?

Accepted Answer

Water track is the vessel's movement through the water; ground track is the actual path over the seabed, accounting for tidal stream

Answer

Water track is measured by GPS; ground track by log

Answer

Water track is magnetic; ground track is true

Answer

They are synonymous terms

Question 4

A Yachtmaster candidate uses a three-bearing fix and the resulting cocked hat is large. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Errors in bearings, compass deviation, or that the features used are poorly separated in angle

Answer

The vessel is in a current

Answer

The GPS has failed

Answer

The chart is outdated

Question 5

A vessel is navigating in thick fog and cannot see anything. Which of the following gives the most reliable continuous position fix?

Accepted Answer

GPS cross-checked with radar ranges to charted features

Answer

Dead reckoning alone

Answer

Depth sounder alone

Answer

VHF Direction Finding

Question 6

A skipper is on passage and their GPS fails. They have a chart, compass, log, and watch. The best approach is:

Accepted Answer

Maintain dead reckoning using course steered, log distance, and tidal vectors applied to the last known position, and seek visible position fixes as opportunities arise

Answer

Anchor immediately

Answer

Call the coastguard for a radio direction fix

Answer

Proceed using chart plotter only