RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY EXAM
RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY EXAM
EXAM COVERAGE — TEN MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Tidal Heights & Calculations — Chart Datum, Rule of Twelfths, Standard vs
Secondary Ports, Spring/Neap ranges, height of tide determinations.
2. Tidal Streams & Passage Planning — Tidal diamonds, stream atlases, set and
drift, course to steer, estimated position (EP), dead reckoning (DR).
3. COLREGs — Collision Regulations — Steering and sailing rules (Rules 5–19),
overtaking, head-on, crossing situations, sail vs power, restricted visibility
sound signals.
4. Navigation Lights & Day Shapes — Vessel identification by night, power-
driven vessels, sailing vessels, fishing, anchored, constrained by draft, RAM,
, NUC.
5. Chartwork & Position Fixing — Latitude/longitude, plotting symbols, visual
fixes, transits, clearing bearings, waypoints, Mercator chart distance
measurement.
6. Compass & Magnetism — True vs Magnetic vs Compass, variation, deviation,
converting between True and Compass, "Error West Compass Best" rule.
7. Buoyage — IALA Region A — Lateral marks (port red, starboard green),
cardinal marks, safe water marks, isolated danger, special marks, emergency
wreck marking.
8. Meteorology & Weather — Highs and lows, warm/occluded/cold fronts,
Beaufort scale, shipping forecasts, sources of weather information, sea
breeze.
9. Safety & Emergencies — Mayday procedures, VHF DSC, lifejackets, flares, fire
prevention, MOB drill, liferafts, helicopter rescue.
10. Pilotage & Restricted Visibility — Harbour entry, leading lines, clearing lines,
fog precautions, sound signals in fog, safe speed.
,RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY EXAM
200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH EXPLAINED ANSWERS
Question 1
What is the primary reference level from which all charted depths and drying
heights are measured on a standard Admiralty chart?
A. Mean High Water Springs (MHWS)
B. Mean Sea Level (MSL)
C. Chart Datum, which is normally set at Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)
D. Mean Low Water Neaps (MLWN)
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation of All Choices:
A: Incorrect. MHWS is the reference for vertical heights such as lighthouse
elevations and bridge clearances, not charted depths.
B: Incorrect. MSL is a land surveying reference and is not used for nautical
chart soundings.
C: Correct. Chart Datum is the standard reference for depths and drying
heights, set at LAT to provide the greatest safety margin.
D: Incorrect. MLWN is a tidal level but is not the chart datum reference.
Question 2
When converting a True course to a Compass course with a westerly variation
and westerly deviation, what mathematical operation must be applied?
A. Subtract variation then subtract deviation
B. Add variation then add deviation
RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY EXAM
EXAM COVERAGE — TEN MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Tidal Heights & Calculations — Chart Datum, Rule of Twelfths, Standard vs
Secondary Ports, Spring/Neap ranges, height of tide determinations.
2. Tidal Streams & Passage Planning — Tidal diamonds, stream atlases, set and
drift, course to steer, estimated position (EP), dead reckoning (DR).
3. COLREGs — Collision Regulations — Steering and sailing rules (Rules 5–19),
overtaking, head-on, crossing situations, sail vs power, restricted visibility
sound signals.
4. Navigation Lights & Day Shapes — Vessel identification by night, power-
driven vessels, sailing vessels, fishing, anchored, constrained by draft, RAM,
, NUC.
5. Chartwork & Position Fixing — Latitude/longitude, plotting symbols, visual
fixes, transits, clearing bearings, waypoints, Mercator chart distance
measurement.
6. Compass & Magnetism — True vs Magnetic vs Compass, variation, deviation,
converting between True and Compass, "Error West Compass Best" rule.
7. Buoyage — IALA Region A — Lateral marks (port red, starboard green),
cardinal marks, safe water marks, isolated danger, special marks, emergency
wreck marking.
8. Meteorology & Weather — Highs and lows, warm/occluded/cold fronts,
Beaufort scale, shipping forecasts, sources of weather information, sea
breeze.
9. Safety & Emergencies — Mayday procedures, VHF DSC, lifejackets, flares, fire
prevention, MOB drill, liferafts, helicopter rescue.
10. Pilotage & Restricted Visibility — Harbour entry, leading lines, clearing lines,
fog precautions, sound signals in fog, safe speed.
,RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY EXAM
200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH EXPLAINED ANSWERS
Question 1
What is the primary reference level from which all charted depths and drying
heights are measured on a standard Admiralty chart?
A. Mean High Water Springs (MHWS)
B. Mean Sea Level (MSL)
C. Chart Datum, which is normally set at Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)
D. Mean Low Water Neaps (MLWN)
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation of All Choices:
A: Incorrect. MHWS is the reference for vertical heights such as lighthouse
elevations and bridge clearances, not charted depths.
B: Incorrect. MSL is a land surveying reference and is not used for nautical
chart soundings.
C: Correct. Chart Datum is the standard reference for depths and drying
heights, set at LAT to provide the greatest safety margin.
D: Incorrect. MLWN is a tidal level but is not the chart datum reference.
Question 2
When converting a True course to a Compass course with a westerly variation
and westerly deviation, what mathematical operation must be applied?
A. Subtract variation then subtract deviation
B. Add variation then add deviation
