RYA Yachtmaster Pilotage & Harbour Entry 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'leading line' in pilotage?
- A rope used to lead a vessel alongside the quay
- Two marks or lights kept in line to indicate a safe approach course into a harbour (Correct answer)
- The first course steered after departing a harbour
- A depth contour used as a guide when approaching shallow water
Correct answer: Two marks or lights kept in line to indicate a safe approach course into a harbour
A leading line is formed by two marks (often lights) that, when kept aligned, guide a vessel along a safe approach track into a harbour or channel.
Question 2: When berthing alongside in a tidal river with a strong current, the skipper should ideally approach:
- With the current from astern to increase steerage
- Heading into the current for better control and a natural brake (Correct answer)
- At 90 degrees to the current and use the tide to swing alongside
- Downwind regardless of the current direction
Correct answer: Heading into the current for better control and a natural brake
Approaching into the current provides better steerage control and allows the current to act as a natural brake, making the berthing manoeuvre safer.
Question 3: In IALA Region A (UK and Europe), when entering a harbour from seaward, a red port-hand buoy should be left:
- To starboard (on your right)
- To port (on your left) (Correct answer)
- On either side depending on the channel width
- As far astern as possible before turning
Correct answer: To port (on your left)
In IALA Region A, red port-hand marks are kept to port (left) when entering harbour from seaward, following the conventional direction of buoyage.
Question 4: A lighthouse is described as 'Oc' (Occulting) in the light list. What does this mean?
- The light is on for longer than it is off (Correct answer)
- The light is off for longer than it is on
- The light produces a single long flash every 10 seconds
- The light changes colour with each flash
Correct answer: The light is on for longer than it is off
An occulting light has periods of light longer than periods of darkness — it is briefly 'hidden' (occulted) but is on most of the time.
Question 5: Approaching a harbour entrance at night, a single white light is seen dead ahead. This could indicate:
- A vessel at anchor only
- A safe water (fairway) mark only
- A vessel's stern light only
- Any of the above and the source should be verified before proceeding (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Any of the above and the source should be verified before proceeding
A single white light ahead could be an anchor light, a safe water buoy, or a vessel's stern light, so its source must be positively identified before proceeding.
Question 6: When using a GPS chartplotter as an aid to pilotage in confined waters, the recommended practice is to:
- Rely on GPS position alone as it is highly accurate in coastal waters
- Use GPS to support visual pilotage while cross-checking with transits and clearing bearings (Correct answer)
- Switch off the GPS to avoid distraction and use only visual marks
- Trust the chartplotter display over crew lookouts in poor visibility
Correct answer: Use GPS to support visual pilotage while cross-checking with transits and clearing bearings
GPS should support, not replace, visual pilotage; cross-checking with visual transits and clearing bearings ensures safety if the GPS gives an erroneous position.
Question 7: A harbour pilot book is most valuable because it provides:
- Official permission to enter the harbour
- Detailed local information on hazards, approach marks, tidal gates, and facilities (Correct answer)
- A substitute for up-to-date Admiralty charts
- The exact berthing charges applicable on arrival
Correct answer: Detailed local information on hazards, approach marks, tidal gates, and facilities
Pilot books supply detailed local knowledge that complements charts, including hazards, transit marks, tidal gates, VHF frequencies, and port facilities.
RYA Yachtmaster Pilotage & Harbour Entry 2
What is a 'leading line' in pilotage?