A north cardinal indicates the side to pass is… A north cardinalIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ North of the mark Always left of your boat South of the mark
Read the answer and explanation Answer: North of the mark
Why this answer works North is a geographic direction relative to the mark.
Why the other choices fall short A cardinal name states a compass side, not a boat-relative left or right. A fixed-side slogan can put a boat on the wrong side after its heading changes.
Put it into practice Place the mark at the centre of a north-up sketch. Mark the northern side, then draw two different approach headings and describe that same geographic relationship.
Both cones point down. Which cardinal is this? Identify the topmarkIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ North East South
Read the answer and explanation Answer: South
Why this answer works Two downward-pointing cones identify a south cardinal topmark.
Why the other choices fall short Both cone points down identify south; changing one cone creates an east or west pattern. Look at the points, not only the overall silhouette.
Put it into practice Draw both tips pointing down and label the arrangement south. Compare it with two upward tips for north to make the distinction clear.
The cones point away from each other. Which cardinal? Identify the topmarkIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ West East South
Read the answer and explanation Answer: East
Why this answer works An east cardinal has the top cone pointing up and the lower cone down.
Why the other choices fall short East has the upper tip up and the lower tip down: the points face away. West has the opposite arrangement, with points facing inward.
Put it into practice Sketch the two arrangements beside each other. Use the complete pattern, colour bands and charted information for real identification rather than one partly seen cone.
The cones point towards each other. Which cardinal? Identify the topmarkIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ West North East
Read the answer and explanation Answer: West
Why this answer works A west cardinal has the cone tips facing each other.
Why the other choices fall short With tips facing inward, the upper cone points down and the lower cone points up. That differs from east's outward tips and north or south's matching directions.
Put it into practice Draw the meeting points clearly, label the mark west, then place the indicated safe-water side on a compass sketch without reference to the boat's heading.
You turn the boat around. Does the named side of a cardinal change? The boat turnsIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ Yes, north becomes south Only at sunset No; the compass direction remains fixed
Read the answer and explanation Answer: No; the compass direction remains fixed
Why this answer works The mark’s geographic meaning does not depend on the boat’s heading.
Why the other choices fall short Turning the boat swaps its own left and right but does not rotate the compass directions around the mark. Cardinal meaning is independent of the lateral buoyage direction.
Put it into practice Keep a north arrow fixed on paper while rotating a boat cut-out. Identify the same named side of the cardinal from several headings.
You cannot confidently identify a partly obscured mark. What is the better response? When identification is uncertainIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ Guess from one visible colour Cross-check charted information and the full identifying features Treat every mark as lateral
Read the answer and explanation Answer: Cross-check charted information and the full identifying features
Why this answer works Use the chart and available identifying features instead of assuming the mark type.
Why the other choices fall short A guess based on an obscured feature may confuse different marks. Selecting a convenient interpretation does not establish identity or a safe route.
Put it into practice Compare the charted location with all visible identifying features. Resolve the uncertainty while maintaining a safe situation rather than making a close approach to prove a guess.
You positively identify a west cardinal mark. Which statement correctly uses its cardinal meaning? West cardinal: choose the sideIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ It marks a westbound traffic lane The indicated safe-water side is west of the mark Keep it on your port side on every heading The indicated safe-water side is east of the mark
Read the answer and explanation Answer: The indicated safe-water side is west of the mark
Why this answer works Cardinal directions are geographic, not boat-relative. A west cardinal indicates the west side; confirm your position and the surrounding charted hazards when planning how to pass it.
Why the other choices fall short East is the opposite side from the one named. Port changes with heading, and a west cardinal does not by itself designate a westbound traffic lane.
Put it into practice Draw the mark and a westward compass arrow, then assess a complete route on suitable coverage. The mark's indication is one input, not a substitute for checking surrounding hazards.
A crew member identifies a north cardinal and says “keep it on our left”. Why is that instruction incomplete? North is not simply leftIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ Left depends on the boat’s heading; the required side is a compass direction North cardinal marks change meaning at high water North cardinal marks follow lateral buoyage direction The instruction becomes complete if the boat is under power
Read the answer and explanation Answer: Left depends on the boat’s heading; the required side is a compass direction
Why this answer works North of the mark is a geographic relationship. Left or right alone cannot establish it without knowing the boat’s position and direction, so agree the intended safe-water side using the chart.
Why the other choices fall short Left is a direction relative to the crew's current orientation. Neither tide height, propulsion nor the lateral buoyage convention completes that instruction.
Put it into practice Use a north-up sketch and say explicitly which geographic side the planned track uses. Confirm everyone understands the route before replacing that explanation with shorthand.
Your route passes on the indicated side of a cardinal mark, but crosses another charted shoal farther on. What does the cardinal mark tell you about the whole route? Check beyond the markIllustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ The entire side of the chart is safe at any depth All hazards on that side must have been removed The shoal can be ignored if the mark is visible It does not make the rest of the route clear of hazards
Read the answer and explanation Answer: It does not make the rest of the route clear of hazards
Why this answer works A mark helps you interpret a particular hazard; it is not a guarantee for an entire route. Check the complete track, charted depths and other dangers rather than extrapolating one mark’s meaning.
Why the other choices fall short The indicated side of one mark cannot certify an entire area or remove another shoal. Visibility of the mark does not change the charted depth farther along the route.
Put it into practice Follow the proposed track beyond the immediate mark and inspect every relevant hazard and depth. Treat the mark as a local aid within the wider passage plan.
In a north-up tabletop sketch, a north cardinal is at the centre and your proposed track passes south of it. Does that track follow the side indicated by this mark? Does this track match the mark?Illustrative · not to scale · tap to enlarge ↗ Yes, if the boat itself is heading north Yes, if the mark is kept to port Yes, because all cardinal marks can be passed on either side No; the mark indicates the northern side
Read the answer and explanation Answer: No; the mark indicates the northern side
Why this answer works The indicated side describes the track’s geographic position relative to the mark. Heading north does not make a track south of the mark become the northern side, and a port-side instruction is not enough to settle that relationship.
Why the other choices fall short The alternatives substitute heading or boat-relative position for a compass side. Cardinal identification must be connected to where the route actually runs on the chart.
Put it into practice Mark north on the page, then draw a track on each side of the cardinal. Identify the indicated side before thinking about the boat’s heading along either track.
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Practice only: this quiz is not an official RYA examination or an assessment of practical competence. Leaving mid-quiz starts that attempt again.
