RYA Yachtmaster Safety and Emergency

Question 1

What is the recommended order of actions in a 'man overboard' situation under sail offshore?

Accepted Answer

Shout alarm, throw lifebuoy/danbuoy, assign spotter, press MOB on GPS, and execute a recovery manoeuvre (reach-tack-reach or figure-of-eight)

Answer

The MOB procedure is: shout the alarm, deploy a lifebuoy and danbuoy, assign a dedicated spotter to point at the casualty, press MOB on GPS, and then execute the appropriate recovery manoeuvre to return to the casualty.

Question 2

What is a 'damage control plan' and why should every offshore yacht have one?

Accepted Answer

A pre-prepared plan identifying the location of all through-hull fittings, emergency equipment, and procedures for dealing with flooding, fire, and structural damage

Answer

A damage control plan documents the location of seacocks, emergency repair materials, fire extinguishers, and procedures for dealing with emergencies. All crew should be familiar with it before sailing.

Question 3

When should a yacht deploy its liferaft?

Accepted Answer

Only when the vessel is definitely sinking or otherwise uninhabitable — you should 'step up into the liferaft, not down'

Answer

The golden rule is to 'step up into the liferaft, not down' — only abandon ship when it is absolutely certain the vessel cannot be saved. A yacht, even damaged, is usually a better survival platform than a liferaft.

Question 4

What is the immediate treatment for a crew member showing signs of severe hypothermia?

Accepted Answer

Remove wet clothing, insulate them horizontally with blankets and a vapour barrier, handle gently (no rubbing), give warm sweet drinks only if conscious, and seek medical advice

Answer

Severe hypothermia requires gentle handling (rough movement can cause cardiac arrest), horizontal positioning, passive rewarming with dry insulation and a vapour barrier, warm sweet drinks if conscious, and urgent medical consultation.

Question 5

What is a 'through-hull fitting' and why are they a critical safety consideration?

Accepted Answer

A pipe or valve passing through the hull below the waterline — if one fails, it can cause rapid flooding; all crew should know their locations and how to close or plug them

Answer

Through-hull fittings (seacocks, transducers, engine cooling inlets) penetrate the hull below the waterline. A failed fitting can cause rapid, dangerous flooding. All should have functioning seacocks and be accessible with emergency bungs nearby.

RYA Yachtmaster Practice Test

RYA Yachtmaster Practice Test

RYA Yachtmaster Safety and Emergency