Welcome!

This is your Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course Learning Resource!

To help you get the most out of this course, we’ve summarised the answers and included detailed explanations for the trickier questions in each section to aid in understanding the material.

You’re free to revisit the "Learn It" sections in the RYA course as many times as you need, though the RYA platform limits each "Test It" section to two attempts.

This page is designed to support your review of the test questions and help clarify any areas that might need further explanation.

Sections are listed in the same order as in the course. You can scroll through each one or use the menu to jump directly to the topic you’re currently working on.

Charts Answers

Charts "Test It" section

Question 1
A = Bow, B = Starboard , C = Stern, D = Port

Question 2
A = Water, B = Drying Areas , C = Land

Question 3
Symbols and abbreviations booklets, Chart 5011, Almanacs, the back of some charts.

Buoyage Answers

Buoyage "Test It" section

Question 1
Green cone shaped

Question 2
Red cone shaped

Question 3
Pass to the north

Question 4
Pass to the south of it

Question 5
At the start of an approach channel

Navigation Answers

Navigation "Try It" section

This is the three point fix from the Navigation "Try It" question 6.

Navigation "Test It" section

Question 1
A = 000°, B = 045° , C = 090°, D = 135°, E= 180°, F=225°, G=270°, H=315°.

Question 2
Wreck, considered dangerous to navigation at 46° 17'.70N 006° 03'.90W on RYA Chart 3. (Image below)

Question 3
Rock, awash at the level of chart datum at 46° 17'.70N 006° 03'.90W on RYA Chart 3.

Question 4
Major light, or structure at 46° 18'.80N 005° 49'.60W on RYA Chart 3.

Question 5
281° (T), 2.1 nautical miles
The true bearing and distance from Holm Point Lighthouse on Strong Holm Island (46° 18'.80N 005° 49'.60W to the port hand mark BB4 (46° 19'.20N 005° 52'.50W). (Image below)

A plotter measures the true bearing from Holm Point Lighthouse to the BB4 port hand mark. The dividers are then used to measure the distance between the charted objects.

Question 6
086° (T), 2.8 nautical miles
The true bearing and distance from Holm Point Lighthouse on Strong Holm Island (46° 18'.80N 005° 49'.60W to the MacArthur LANBY (46° 19'.00N 005° 45'.60W).

Question 7
Latitude

Question 8
348° (M)

Question 9
Direction of buoyage symbol (Image below)

Question 10
Yes. The third bearing gives an indication of accuracy. It also produces a small cocked hat over the chart symbol as though the vessel is moving.

This is from the Navigation "Test It" section, question 9. Lining up the plotter to the Johnson Point Lighthouse 350° (T).

Question 11
Passing close to a charted object, such as a buoy, a three point fix using bearings, a bearing from a charted object and a depth contour.

Question 12
Log reading and time.

Safety Answers

Safety Test It" section

Question 1
Dinghy sailing and personal water craft = Buoyancy aid
Moto cruising and offshore yachting = Lifejacket

Question 2
Check the engine and fuel, give a safety brief to your crew, including use of lifejackets, tell someone ashore where you are going, check the weather forecast and tides, create passage and pilotage plans.

Question 3
Check there is enough fuel, engine cooling water is circulating, fluid levels (oils and coolant), belt tensions.

Question 4
Firing flares, MAYDAY by VHF DSC Radio, signalling SOS by torch, activating an EPIRB, raising arms up and down.

Question 5
The word MAYDAY, name of boat, position, how many people are on board, nature of distress.

Anchoring Answers

Anchoring "Test It" section

Question 1
20m. 5m depth x 4 = 20m of chain.

Question 2
30m. 5m depth x 6 = 30m of chain.

Question 3
Because it stretches. Nylon is strong, and will stretch to absorb some of the shock loading. It also sinks.

Question 4
Sufficient depth at time of anchoring and later. Sufficient room for the boat to swing. Sheltered from wind direction at the time of anchoring and later.

Question 5
Look at a transit on the shore to check that you aren't moving out of position. Check that your bearing to fixed objects on the shore stay the same. Activate your GPS anchor drag alarm.

Tides

In these two videos, we’ll review the core skills for looking up and calculating tidal heights and tidal streams. If you’d like more practice, be sure to check out the revision questions available on the AABB platform.

Tide Answers

Tides "Test It" section

Question 1 - 3
1840 UT, 3.3m, Neaps

Question 4-6
1249 DST, 4.3m, Springs.

Question 7
2.2m Height of tide at 1450 UT (HW-3)
HW Port Fraser 1750 UT - HW 3.3 and LW is 1.0m

Question 8
1630 UT (approximately)

Question 9
3.0m

Question 10
3.2m (Clearance)
3.0m (Charted depth) + 2.0m (Height of tide) = 5.0m (Depth of water)
5.0m (Depth of water) - 1.8 (Draft of boat) = 3.2m (Clearance)

Question 11 & 12 (Image below)
North and 0.5 knots (neap rate)
05.08 = 0.5 knots neap rate and 0.8 knots spring rate

Question 13 (Image below)
South 2.1 knots (spring rate)
12.21 = 1.2 knots neap rate and 2.1 knots spring rate

Question 14 (Image below)
South east 0.7 knots (neap rate) HW + 2
HW Victoria (Reference Port for the Tidal Stream Atlas) on Thursday 14th November is 0649 UT
Hour of HW = 0619 - 0719 UT
HW + 1 = 0719 - 0819 UT
HW + 2 = 0819 - 0919 UT (when they enter the water)

Question 15
1203 DST
One hour was added for DST as it is a non shaded area on July 25th.

Question 16 (Image below)
2.2 miles
As it's a spring tide the drift rate of the tide is 2.2 knots.

Question 17
12.2 knots
As it's a spring tide the drift rate of the tide is 2.2 knots + 10 knots of boat speed = 12.2 knots (Speed Over Ground).

Question 18
Watch the direction that seaweed is moving and see the flow of water past buoys and other fixed objects.

Electronic Navigation

In this video, we’re exploring the value of a waypoint web. Although chart plotters have made navigation simpler, learning to plot a backup position on a paper chart is essential, especially on boats with tricky navigation setups—like fast-moving or open vessels without a chart table.

This technique is not only useful in challenging conditions but also hones critical skills in measuring distances and using a plotter effectively.

Electronic Navigation "Test It" section

Electronic Navigation Answers

Question 1
Course over Ground. The actual direction the boat is moving over the ground. It’s the true path over the earth’s surface, measured in degrees from North.

Question 2
Speed over Ground. The speed at which the boat is moving over the ground. It’s the measured speed over the earth’s surface, accounting for the effects of currents or tide, and is expressed in knots (nautical miles per hour).

Question 3
Waypoint.  A specific location marked on a chart or electronic navigation system that serves as a reference point for navigation. It helps guide the course by providing a target position, often expressed in latitude and longitude.

Question 4
Cross Track Error. The distance the boat has drifted off its intended course or track. It shows how far the boat is from the planned route, measured in nautical miles or metres, and helps navigators make course adjustments to return to the correct path.

Question 5
Once an hour, or every 30 minutes. The time interval decreases as the vessel's speed increases.

Question 6
0.7M (nautical miles).  (Image below)

Question 7
30 minutes.  The distance from the fix at 1230 to the 10m contour line outside Namley Harbour is approximately 5.4M (Red arrow on the below). The SOG is 11.1 kts.

Time = 5.5M (Distance) ÷ 11.1 kts (Speed) x 60 (to get an answer in minutes rather than decimals of an hour)

Time = 30 minutes (29 minutes rounded to 30 minutes)

Rules of the Road Answers

Rules of the Road "Test It" section

Question 1
By using a hand bearing compass to see if the bearing to the other boat remains steady. By lining up the approaching boat with a part of your boat and checking whether its position alters relative to your boat. If your boat is fitted with radar, by using the electronic bearing line.

Question 2
Give way vessel and Stand on vessel.
The give-way vessel must take early and decisive action to avoid a collision, while the stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed but be prepared to act if the give-way vessel fails to take appropriate action. This approach avoids any presumption of entitlement or privilege on the water, reinforcing safety and shared responsibility in navigation.

Question 3
At all times.

In the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 5: Look-out specifically requires vessels to maintain a proper lookout by sight, hearing, and all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. The rule states:

“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.”

This means that:

Sight and hearing are explicitly mentioned as essential elements of keeping a lookout.
"All available means" is a broader term that includes, as appropriate, the use of technology such as radar, AIS, and other navigational aids.

Question 4
The yacht is motor sailing.
It's important to know if a yacht is motor sailing because it’s then classified as a power-driven vessel, which changes its responsibilities and priority under the Collision Regulations (COLREGs).

Question 5
The boat is at anchor.
You need to know if a boat is at anchor to avoid assuming it will manoeuvre, as anchored vessels are stationary and must be navigated around to prevent collisions.

Question 6
The boat has divers in the water.
If you see a boat displaying the diver’s down flag, you should slow down, maintain a safe distance, and keep a lookout for divers who may be surfacing nearby.

Question 7
Both.
The vessels should both turn to starboard, so they pass port side to port side.

Question 8
B.
As B is the power boat they are the give way vessel.

Question 9
A.
As B is on the right, they are in the right and should hold their course and speed. Boat A should give way.

Question 10
A.
As A has the wind coming over the port side of the boat they are on "Port Tack" and are the give way vessel. Boat B has the wind coming over the starboard side and are on "Starboard Tack".

Question 11
A.
As both boats are on the same "Port Tack", then the boat which is closest to the wind, the "Windward Boat", should give way, in this case that is boat A.

Question 12
A.
The image is not very clear, but indicates that if a risk of collisions exists then the sailing boat, Boat A must be overtaking the motor boat, Boat B. As the overtaking boat, then A must give way to B give way.

Weather

Watch this video to help you understand some websites and apps available. You can use these to check the weather forecast and track the weather observations at sea if internet coverage allows and by using a VHF marine radio.

Weather "Test It" section

Weather Answers

Question 1
Local Radio Station, maritime Safety Information broadcasts on the VHF radio from the Coastguard or rescue services, from the Harbour Master, mobile phone and internet.

Question 2
Expected within 6 hours from the time the forecast was issued.

Question 3
Winds will reach Force 6 (22 to 27 knots).

Question 4
Farlow Bay. It would be calmer as it offers shelter, where as Misery Point is an exposed headland, with overfalls showing on the chart in the surrounding area.

Question 5
It would be rougher. Wind against tide, will lead to rougher and more confused seas, these conditions should be avoided if possible.

Question 5
It would be smoother. Wind with tide is calmer because the forces align, reducing turbulence.

Pilotage Answers

Pilotage "Test It" section

Question 1
NE
"Shelter is good inside of the boom except during strong NE winds, when a scend* will make the berths uncomfortable." (Training Almanac p.45)

*A wind can create a scend by generating waves that cause a vessel to pitch up and down as it moves over them. Strong winds push against the surface of the water, building up waves that impact a vessel’s movement. As the waves pass under the hull, the vessel will experience an upward or downward motion—known as a scend—particularly noticeable in rough or choppy conditions where the wind-driven waves are larger and more frequent.

Question 2 & 3
VHF Ch 80
The Stevenstown marina is only contactable by VHF Ch 80 between 0900 and 1800.

Question 4
Course headings, wind direction and tidal heights, VHF channels, useful landmarks, tidal streams at the entrance.

Question 5
Port (left)
Steer to (port) to bring the transits back into line.

Passage Making Answers

Passage Making "Test It" section

Question 1
Departing Suzy Bay Marina = *Training Chart 4
Making the passage = *Training Chart 3
Entering Port Fraser = *Training Chart 4
RYA Chart 4 gives more detailed information for the pilotage, whereas RYA Chart 3 provides an overview of the whole passage on one chart.

* The answers accepted for this question must be entered ‘Training Chart’ followed by the number 3 or 4.

Question 2
7.5 nautical miles

Question 3
About 30 minutes
7.5 nautical miles (distance) ÷ 15 knots (boat speed) x 60 (to give an answer in minutes, rather than decimals of an hour) = 30 minutes.

Question 4
007° (M)
000° (T) + 7° W = 007° (M)

Question 5 & 6
East and increase the time it took to reach waypoint 2
(Image below)

Question 7
Yes, it is a legal requirement.