Beginning Boating / Foundation Level knowledge
What this domain tests
The Beginning Boating / Foundation Level domain checks that you know the basic language, rules and safety expectations of a small recreational vessel in New Zealand waters. Questions often ask you to identify a part of a boat, interpret a buoy, apply a give-way rule or choose the right safety action.
Core knowledge
- Directions: bow is forward, stern aft; port is left facing forward, starboard right. When you face aft, port is on your right - do not let that confuse you.
- Buoyage: New Zealand uses IALA Region A. Entering a harbour, keep red port-hand marks to port and green starboard-hand marks to starboard. Cardinal marks show safe water by their black-and-yellow pattern and topmarks; isolated danger marks sit on a hazard.
- Collision avoidance: keep a proper lookout, proceed at a safe speed and take early, substantial action. Two powerboats crossing: the one with the other on its starboard side gives way. Head-on: both alter to starboard. Overtaking: the overtaking vessel keeps clear.
- Skipper responsibility: the skipper is responsible for the vessel, crew, lifejackets, weather decision and communications. On vessels 6 m or less, lifejackets must be worn when underway, with only limited exceptions.
Worked example
You are in a 5 m powerboat heading north at 8 knots. Another powerboat is approaching from your east, heading west, so it appears on your starboard side. You are the give-way vessel. Reason: the other boat is on your starboard side. Take early action - reduce speed and alter to starboard to pass astern of it. Do not turn to port across its bow.
Exam traps
- Mixing up port and starboard when facing aft.
- Treating “sail has right of way” as absolute; it is not, for example when the sailboat is overtaking.
- Forgetting that red and green buoyage direction is given for entering harbour.
- Choosing “maintain course and speed” when you are the give-way vessel.