You are planning to cross the Dover Strait TSS in a yacht at 6 knots. The lane is 8nm wide and traffic density is high. What is your crossing strategy?

A. Reduce speed and wait in the lane until traffic clears — maintaining position is safest

B. Cross at the fastest convenient angle regardless of Rule 10

C. Use the Separation Zone as a safe crossing corridor — it is designated for smaller vessels

D. Cross at 90° to the traffic flow (COLREGs Rule 10) at the narrowest safe point; time the crossing to minimise exposure; identify gaps in traffic on radar/AIS; use the engine to maintain maximum speed through the lane; brief the crew on traffic ahead of time

A. The passage plan need only identify the destination — diversion decisions are made in real time

B. A port of refuge provides a safe haven if conditions deteriorate. Suitability factors: accessible in the expected conditions (depth, bar, height of tide); distance from passage track; available facilities (fuel, medical, communications); whether it can be entered at night; holding ground if anchoring is the only option

C. Any port on the chart is automatically suitable as a refuge regardless of conditions

D. Ports of refuge only matter for vessels without an engine — sailing yachts can always divert

A. A point on the passage (headland, strait, harbour bar) that can only be safely transited within a specific tidal window — the departure time and speed must be calculated backwards from the tidal gate time to ensure arrival within the window

B. Tidal gates only apply to vessels over 20 metres in length

C. A tidal gate is another term for a tidal stream atlas symbol on the chart

D. A lock gate at a tidal harbour — only relevant to inland waterways