Which way to turn and why?

[bewitched]

Just sat a exam for a local boat licence, and it had this question:

You are maintaining a course or 175 deg true and directly in front of you there is a quick flashing white light. Do you:

a) Turn to port and pass the light to starboard
b) Turn to starboard and pass the light to port
c) Turn to either port or starboard as it doesn't matter which side the light is passed on
d) Stop

I answered b), (and there was some logic to my reasoning - which I may divulge later), though I was tempted to go for c) at first.

What do you think?

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by bewitched

Just sat a exam for a local boat licence, and it had this question:

You are maintaining a course or 175 deg true and directly in front of you there is a quick flashing white light. Do you:

a) Turn to port and pass the light to starboard
b) Turn to starboard and pass the light to port
c) Turn to either port or starboard as it doesn't matter which side the light is passed on
d) Stop

I answered b), (and there was some logic to my reasoning - which I may divulge later), though I was tempted to go for c) at first.

What do you think?

The answer is d) You are approaching a North Cardinal mark from the North......

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

The answer is d) You are approaching a North Cardinal mark from the North......

I also have this reference for inland waters that allow a flashing white light as a distress signal - http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=rule3637

I would still stop but...

In the context of the question, approaching from the north, it appears to be a cardinal mark question...

http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Ial.../Cardinal.aspx

[david samuelson]

d. it could be a man-overboard light. If you stop you can always assess the situation then decide what action to take (when you know what the light is.)

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

The answer is d) You are approaching a North Cardinal mark from the North......

I agree with the north cardinal mark bit and approaching it from the north bit, but not with the stopping bit.

[atoll]

i think i would have a look at the chart when it first becomes visible

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by bewitched

I agree with the north cardinal mark bit and approaching it from the north bit, but not with the stopping bit.

Using IslandHoppers reasoning, , what happens if you dont stop?

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by atoll

i think i would have a look at the chart when it first becomes visible

I agree - but that wasn't an option in the question

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Using IslandHoppers reasoning, , what happens if you dont stop?

If I turn either to port or to starboard and remain to the north of the cardinal, I have complied with the requirements of the cardinal.

[psneeld]

You can't answer the question with certainty without both knowing what waters your on and like what was posted about looking at the chart....

With that said...stop would be my choice as EVEN if it could be a cardinal mark because it could be a strobe...but then again I wouldn't STOP because that's unecessary to.

When I taught both USCG licensing and Boating safety courses...I would accept multiple answers even though the state and USCG answer sheets didn't allow for that. I could usually tell the question or answer selection was created by someone without the big picture...

Best answer even???...some test questions can't even meet that criteria....

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by bewitched

If I turn either to port or to starboard and remain to the north of the cardinal, I have complied with the requirements of the cardinal.

No you haven't, the question says "directly" ahead of you, it also states "passing" the mark to "Port or Starboard".......read the question.....

There is only one correct answer.....

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by bewitched

If I turn either to port or to starboard and remain to the north of the cardinal, I have complied with the requirements of the cardinal.

OK--was just wondering your thought process.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by psneeld

You can't answer the question with certainty without both knowing what waters your on and like what was posted about looking at the chart....

I agree - which is kinda why I posted the question. I think all are valid answers if you could go on to explain your reasoning.

The test is in Hong Kong and the vast majority of cardinals are used to mark out the many fairways, TSS and the like. They certainly don't want you stopping in them.

They tend to (but not always) use isolated danger marks to mark the rocks.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

No you haven't, the question says "directly" ahead of you, it also states "passing" the mark to "Port or Starboard".......read the question.....

There is only one correct answer.....

I am steering 175, I turn to starboard 95 degrees to 270 - have I not passed the mark to port and to the north or the cardinal?

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by bewitched

I am steering 175, I turn to starboard 95 degrees to 270 - have I not passed the mark to port and to the north or the cardinal?

Correct me if i am wrong, but the question is just a basic multiple choice giving you four answers to pick from ? no reference to a particular chart ? it could be anywhere in the world ?