Safety

Question 1

How do you initiate a standard DSC distress alert?

What changes for MOB?

Answer 1

Press the red button on the DSC for 5 seconds.

Press the red button once then select MOB then press again for a further 5 seconds.

Question 2

What voice message would be sent for a MAYDAY call?

Answer 2

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
This is Yacht X Yachtg X Yacht X
Call sign is XXX MMSI Number is XXX
MAYDAY
Yacht X Call Sign XXX MMSI Number XXX
Position is ‘Lat/ Long’ or ‘Bearing and distance from charted object’
Nature of distress- ie boat on fire
I require immediate assistance
Any further info
Over

Question 3

What voice message would be sent for a PAN PAN call?

Answer 3

Pan Pan , Pan Pan, Pan Pan
All Stations All Stations All Stations
This is Yacht X MMSI X Yacht X MMSI X Yacht X MMSI X
Position is (lat long)/ bearing and distance to a charted object)
Nature of problem ie broken down in need of a tow
Number of persons on board
Over

Question 4

When would mayday be used vs pan pan

Answer 4

Mayday is when life or vessels are in grave and imminent danger is fire, flood, MOB

Pan pan is for when a vessel or crew need assistance ie broken down and need a tow

Question 5

Which VHF channel should be used for MAYDAY calls?

Answer 5

16

Question 6

Give advantages of VHF over Mobile Phone for distress calls

Answer 6

The position of the vessel can be transmitted quickly and accurately to all DSC enabled vessels and coast stations in the vicinity, including lifeboats, rescue helicopters and coastguard rescue teams.

Broadcast distress messages are received by all vessels in your vicinity regardless of whether they know your MMSI, vessel name or Callsign.

They are built for the marine environment.

Question 7

Give mobile phone disadvantages

Answer 7

Limited signal
Not made for marine environment
Battery could die
Not waterproof
May not know emergency numebrs and can only broadcast to one person at a time

Question 8

How should a crew prepare a vessel for a helicopter arrival?

Answer 8

1. Stow all loose gear.
2. Ensure port quarter is clear.
3. Ensure crew are all wearing life jackets.
4. Start engine
5. Be prepared to reef the main and roll or drop the head sail
6. Follow the heading and speed as directed by the pilot.
7. Do not use rocket flares in the vicinity of a helicopter.
8. Use hand-held flares at night and orange smoke flares during the day.
   Orange smoke not only shows where you are but gives an indication of wind direction.
9. Maintain a steady course.
10. The high line when lowered from the helicopter should be allowed to dip in the water first to earth it.
11. Do not attach the high line to the yacht.
12. Keep spare line in a bucket where it cannot get tangled in the boat’s equipment.
13. Feed out and pull the line as necessary, ensuring the crew wear gloves when handling the line.

Question 9

What flares should be used for helicopter rescue?

Answer 9

Orange smoke flare during the day
Hand held flares at night

Question 10

What signal should be given to the crew if a hi-line is to be used?

Answer 10

Let it dip into the water to earth it before touching it.

Do not attach it to the yacht.

Coil the line as it comes in.

Question 11

Why are rockets recommended for offshore distress initiation?

Answer 11

They are visible at a distance.

Question 12

Why should a second rocket follow a distress initiation about a minute later?

Answer 12

For confirmation and to help obtain a bearing of the vessel.

Question 13

How to EPIRBs send alerts indicating a vessel is in distress?

Answer 13

They transmit information via satellites to transmit the location of the vessel in distress.

Question 14

Is it legal to use distress signals if you are not in distress

Answer 14

Yes

Question 15

How should expired pyrotechnics be disposed of?

Answer 15

Contact and ask coastguard.

Question 16

Do all gas lifejackets inflate automatically when you fall in the water?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Do all gas lifejackets include a whistle and an oral inflation tube?

Answer 17

Yes

Question 18

Do all life jackets include a light?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

Do all lifejackets have retro-reflective tape?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

Do all lifejackets have crotch or thigh straps?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Do all lifejackets fit adults or children?

Answer 21

No

Question 22

Give 5 basic safety rules that should be followed when using a tender to transfer people from boat to shore.

Answer 22

1. Wear life jackets
2. Check tide and weather information.
3. Do not overload
4. Load kit and crew evenly.
5. If using an engine bring oars as well.
6. Take a torch at night.
7. Secure tender properly.
8. Climb in and out carefully.

Question 23

List four precautions that help prevent fires.

Answer 23

1. No smoking.
2. Turn off gas bottle when not in use.
3. Do not leave objects near oven when in use.
4. Keep an eye on gauges which indicate high temperature.
5. Be familiar with fire prevention or aid equipment.

Question 24

What is the purpose of jack-stays along the sides of yachts and motor cruisers?

Answer 24

To clip on to while moving around the yacht.

Question 25

Why is a radar reflector particularly important on a GRP or wooden boat?

Answer 25

The structure of these vessels will not show up on radar.

Question 26

Would an AIS system be as good as a radar reflector on a small boat?

Answer 26

No, an AIS system fitted to small craft does not transmit any information about the vessel so it would be 'invisible' to AIS systems on any ships.

Question 27

List 3 important actions to take before launching a life raft.

Answer 27

1. Send a mayday and flares if appropriate. 2. Check the painter is tied on. 3. Put on life jackets. 4. Wear warm clothing and bring water and food if possible.

Question 28

Why is streaming the drogue on a life raft so important?

Answer 28

The drogue gives the liferaft some stability by helping to prevent it from capsizing. It also reduces leeway and keeps the entrance to the raft downwind.

Question 29

What is the function of a kill cord?

Answer 29

A kill cord cuts the power to the engine when pulled out. It can be used on clothing ie if the skipper falls from their position at the helm, the kill cord is pulled and the engine is cut.

Question 30

List eight actions to take if the visibility begins to deteriorate while on passage.

Answer 30

Establish position and consider making for shallow water if safe. Consider use of engine and maintain a slow, safe speed Consider a change of destination or anchoring in a safe location. Operate radar if available and ensure the radar reflector is rigged. Have a white flare handy. Put on navigation lights. Post extra lookouts. Put on lifejackets. Make fog signals. Have the dinghy or liferaft ready. Wake up crew, especially if in the fore cabin. Use all instruments to the full. GPS, VHF, echo sounder.

Question 31

What kind of flare should not be used in the vicinity of a helicopter?

Answer 31

A rocket flare.

Question 32

What is the RYA policy on when lifejackets should be worn?

Answer 32

At all times unless instructed differently by the skipper.

Question 33

Is a radar reflector better high up or down low?

Answer 33

High Up