Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Give-way vessel

The vessel required to take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the stand-on vessel under COLREG.

Stand-on vessel

The vessel that keeps course and speed; it may act only if the give-way vessel fails to avoid collision.

Head-on meeting rule

Both power-driven vessels alter course to starboard and pass port side to port side, avoiding confusion.

Crossing rule

The vessel with the other on its own starboard side gives way; the stand-on vessel keeps course and speed.

Overtaking vessel

The vessel coming up from more than 22.5° abaft the beam; it must keep clear until finally past and clear.

Masthead light arc

White light showing 225°, from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft each beam, visible 5 nm under 50 m.

Side light colours

Red on port, green on starboard, each 112.5° arc; visible 2 nm for vessels under 50 m.

Anchor light

All-round white light where best seen, plus a black ball by day, shown by a vessel at anchor.

Not under command lights

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line, and two black balls by day, for a vessel unable to manoeuvre.

Fog signal: making way

One prolonged blast every two minutes from a power-driven vessel underway and making way through the water.

MAYDAY call

Distress signal spoken three times on VHF Ch 16, followed by vessel name, position, and nature of distress.

IALA Region A lateral marks

Red can buoys mark the port side and green cone buoys the starboard side when entering from seaward.

Cardinal mark topmarks

Two cones: both up = North, both down = South, base-to-base = East, point-to-point = West.

Safe-water mark

Red and white vertical stripes with a single red sphere topmark; marks navigable water and mid-channel.

Isolated danger mark

Black with red horizontal bands and two black spheres; marks a small isolated hazard surrounded by navigable water.

Prop walk

A right-hand propeller kicks the stern to starboard in forward gear and to port in reverse.

Anchor scope

Ratio of anchor line to water depth; 3:1 to 5:1 normally, 7:1 or more in strong wind.

Pivot point ahead

A single-screw vessel turns about a point roughly one-third of the hull length from the bow.

Beaufort force 5

Fresh breeze, 17–21 knots; moderate waves with many whitecaps and some spray.

Falling barometer

A rapid pressure fall signals an approaching low and worsening weather; a rise indicates improvement.

Sea breeze

Daytime wind blowing from sea to land because land heats faster than the water surface.

Man overboard drill

Shout, throw a float, press MOB, turn the bow toward the person, and approach from downwind in neutral.

PAN PAN

Urgency signal for a serious situation that does not yet threaten life; sent on VHF Ch 16.

Fire extinguisher classes

A = solids, B = flammable liquids, C = gases, and electrical; water is never used on B or electrical fires.

Engine blower

Run at least four minutes before starting a petrol engine to clear explosive fuel vapour from the compartment.

Charging voltage

A healthy alternator should show 13.8–14.4 V at the battery; a lower reading indicates a fault.

Swiss Kat. A licence

Licence for motorboats with engine power above 6 kW; minimum age 18.

Swiss Kat. D licence

Licence for sailboats over 15 m² sail area; minimum age 14.

Bowline knot

Creates a fixed loop that will not slip; used for mooring and rescue lines.

Cleat hitch

Figure-eight around a cleat with a locking turn; secures mooring lines quickly and releases easily.

Reef knot limit

Joins two lines of equal diameter only; not for load-bearing use or lines of different sizes.

Spring line

A mooring line running fore-and-aft to stop the boat moving along the dock.