Boating Basics 101

Question 1

What is the International Maritime Oranisation Regulations called?

Answer 1

SOLAS
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

Question 2

What does SOLAS require you to have and/or do?

Answer 2

1. Have a passage plan for voyages outside categorised waters.
2. Have a radar reflector.
3. Have an illustration for life-saving signals readily available.
4. Respond to distress signals from any source.
5. Never misuse distress signals.
6. Report any unmarked hazards.

Question 3

What is the difference between a lifejacket and a buoyancy aid?

Answer 3

A life jacket is designed to turn an unconscious person onto his back and support his head above water.

A buoyancy aid helps you swim, but will not keep you afloat if unconscious.

Question 4

What is a dan-buoy?

Answer 4

A stick-like floating marker that you throw into the water where a person went in the water to help you see them when you bring the boat around to get them.

Question 5

How do you make a Mayday call?

Answer 5

On channel 16 say:
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
THIS IS yacht name
MAYDAY yacht name
MY POSITION IS latitude longitude or true bearing or distance from charted mark
I AM sinking, on fire, etc.
I HAVE num PEOPLE ON BOARD
I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
OVER

Question 6

What device can automatically transmit the yacht’s identity and position?

Answer 6

A DSC - Digital Selective Calling.

Question 7

What does a DSC device use to identify the vessel?

Answer 7

An MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number

Question 8

After the DSC sends your MMSI, how long should you wait for an acknowledgement from the Coastguard?

Answer 8

15 seconds then do the Mayday call

Question 9

What call should you use when help is urgently needed but you are not in grave and imminent danger?

Answer 9

PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN
ALL STATIONS
yacht name and position
brief explanation of the problem
OVER

Question 10

What are ways you can call for assistance

Answer 10

red hand flare or rocket
orange smoke flare
MAYDAY call
PAN-PAN call
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
SOS Morse code by any means
Morse V …-
International code flag NC
Square flag with ball over or under it
Continuous sounding of foghorn
Continuous wave of arms

Question 11

Where will the rescue helicopter winchman be likely to land on your boat?

Answer 11

the port quarter

Question 12

What should you do when the winching wire is lowered in a helicopter rescue?

Answer 12

Let it touch the water before handling it so that the static electricity is discharged.

Question 13

How should you wear a lifestrop during a helicopter rescue?

Answer 13

Under your armpits and keep your arms down

Question 14

What is the visibility for an orange smoke flare

Answer 14

Daytime less than 3 miles

Question 15

What is the visibility for a red hand-flare

Answer 15

Nighttime less than 10 miles

Question 16

What is the visibility for a red parachute rocket?

Answer 16

Less than 20 miles

Question 17

What is the recommended distress flares for inshore sailing?

Answer 17

2 red hand flares, 2 orange smoke flares

Question 18

What is the recommended distress flares for coastal sailing (less than 10 miles from land)?

Answer 18

2 red hand flares, 2 orange smoke flares, 2 red parachute rockets

Question 19

What is the recommended distress flares to have onboard for offshore sailing (more than 10 miles from land)?

Answer 19

4 red hand flares, 2 orange smoke flares, 4 red parachute rockets

Question 20

What is a white flare used for?

Answer 20

A deterrent to ships on a collision course at night

Question 21

What are the 6 daily engine checks you should perform?

Answer 21

1. Oil, fuel, or water leaks
2. Low engine oil level and signs of water in oil
3. Signs of wear or lack of tension on drive belts
4. Water in the water separator
5. Weed or other debris in the water filter
6. Seacock is open

Question 22

carbon monoxide

Answer 22

formed by incomplete combustion of fuel

Question 23

hypothermia

Answer 23

reduction of a body’s core temperature

Question 24

a first sign of hypothermia

Answer 24

gooseflesh

Question 25

center of buoyancy

Answer 25

center of mass of water a boat displaces

Question 26

Dangerous loss of steering ability on a PWC results from

Answer 26

releasing the throttle

Question 27

The best thing you can do to ward off hypothermia if you find yourself in cold water is

Answer 27

assume the HELP position

Question 28

In comparison to cold air, cold water robs the body of heat

Answer 28

much faster than air

Question 29

Under which of the following conditions will you lose heat MOST rapidly in cold water?

Answer 29

A swimming

Question 30

Sailboats can sail toward the wind by

Answer 30

tacking

back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, like slow yawing

Question 31

hypothermia

Answer 31

reduction of a body’s core temperature

Question 32

Aft

Answer 32

Toward the back of a boat. Use stern

Question 33

Transom

Answer 33

The stern cross section of a square stern boat.

Question 34

Planing hull

Answer 34

Rise up on top of the water when it has enough speed.

Question 35

Tender

Answer 35

A boat that transports people and gear.

Question 36

Bowrider

Answer 36

A runabout with seats in the front. Do not confuse with bowriding, a dangerous practice of sitting on the bow of a power boat.

Question 37

PWC

Answer 37

Personal watercraft, “jetski”

Question 38

The shortest distance from the waterline to the top of a vessel’s sides or transom is its:

Answer 38

Freeboard

Question 39

The part of a stern-drive engine that is outside the vessel is called the

Answer 39

outdrive

Question 40

The forward part of a vessel is called the

Answer 40

bow.

Question 41

A planing-hulled vessel

Answer 41

rides on top of the water at cruising speed.

Question 42

The flat, vertical surface on the aft portion of boats is called the

Answer 42

transom

Question 43

In the water, and especially when it is rough, the easiest type of engine to work on is

Answer 43

a stern drive