Test your knowledge with our super RNLI quiz

For this week’s quiz, we have teamed up with the RNLI to bring you questions relating to the waters around Scotland, and some fascinating facts and figures about the organisation

As well as saving lives at sea, the RNLI influences, supervises and educates people on all aspects of water safety. Its community safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast.

Visit rnli.org to find out more about the organisation.

1. On the Beaufort scale (used to relate wind speed to sea condition) what does the term “Force 8” refer to?

A. A gale

B. A storm

C. A fresh breeze

2. How many lifeboat stations are there in the UK and Ireland?

A. 142

B. 238

C. 492

3. Which kayaker is best equipped for exploring the coast?

A. Kit 1: a map, tide times, a friend, helmet, buoyancy aid, means of calling for help

B. Kit 2: a map, a bottle of water, a baseball cap, sunglasses

C. Kit 3: a wetsuit, a helmet, snacks, and a map

4. Which items are not suitable for a fun day out at the beach?

A. Bucket and spade

B. Inflatable toys and lilos C. Suncream and a sunhat

5. What precautions should you take when open water swimming?

A. Never swim alone

B. Check the weather and tide before you go

C. Both of the above

6. Which of the following are symptoms of cold water shock?

A. A decrease in heart rate, shivering, slurred speech and a feeling of confusion

B. Having a temperature, sweating and feeling hot

C. An increase in heart rate, an involuntary gasp for breath, an increase in breathing rate and a feeling of panic

7. What should you do if you think someone is in difficulty in the water?

A. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard B. Swim out to see if you can help C. Nothing, they will probably be fine

8. When and where is it legal to use marine flares?

A. At sea or on land if you see someone in difficulty

B. At sea in an emergency

C. On Bonfire Night 9. What do the numbers on the bow of an all-weather lifeboat refer to?

A. The length and build number of the boat

B. An age of the boat in weeks and months

C. A reference number for the station the boat is kept at

10. What does the abbreviation “ILB” stand for?

A. Inland lifeboat

B. Inshore lifeboat

C. Inflatable lifeboat

11. How much does it cost to kit out an ILB crew member with a drysuit, lifejacket and helmet?

A. £920

B. £1,540

C. £300

12. If you fall into water unexpectedly, what should you do?

A. Start swimming straight away before you get colder

B. Move your arms and legs around quickly to generate warmth

C. Float to live 13. When facing forwards on a boat, what is the side of the boat on your left referred to as?

A. The left hand side

B. Starboard

C. Port

14. What colour is a starboard navigation light?

A. White

B. Green

C. Red

15. Where is the RNLI’s newest lifeguard patrolled beach in Scotland?

A. Glasgow

B. Broughty Ferry, Dundee C. Loch Ness

16. Do you need to have experience of the sea to volunteer for the RNLI? A. No, the RNLI provides all the training you need for the role

B. Yes, being an RNLI volunteer is only suitable for people with previous experience at sea

17. Who founded the RNLI in 1824? A. Sir Edmund Hillary

B. Grace Darling

C. Sir William Hillary

18. What is the name of the RNLI youth membership club?

A. Storm Force

B. Wave Riders

C. Adopt-a-Lifeboat

19. How many anchors are carried aboard a Trent class lifeboat?

A. One. A Fisherman’s anchor, kept at the bow of the boat

B. Two. A Delta anchor used for sand and mud and a Fisherman’s anchor used in rocky waters

C. Three. As above, but with the addition of a drogue, or sea anchor

20. How many RNLI lifeguard patrolled beaches are there in Scotland?

A. 4

B. 8

C. 12

21. What do the red and yellow flags on an RNLI lifeguard patrolled beach signify?

A. The safe area to swim

B. The launch area for watercraft C. Sharks in the water

22. Broughty Ferry lifeboat station in Dundee has two types of boat on station, what are they?

A. A Trent all-weather lifeboat and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

B. A Shannon all-weather lifeboat and a D-class inshore lifeboat

C. A Trent all-weather lifeboat and a D-class inshore lifeboat

23. At what age can you join the RNLI as a volunteer crew member?

A. 17, with the permission of a parent or guardian

B. 18

C. 21

24. How many times did RNLI lifeboats launch in the UK and Ireland in 2019?

A. 8,941

B. 2,942

C. 1,190

25. The RNLI is funded by?

A. The National Lottery

B. The Government

C. Donations and the generosity of supporters

26. Which of the following is not part of the RNLI lifeguard kit?

A. VHF radio

B. Binoculars

C. Goggles

27. What is a rip current? A. A strong current running out to sea, which can quickly drag people and debris away from the shore and out to deeper water

B. A strong current running towards the shore, usually found in colder water

C. A huge wave popular with surfers

28. What should you do if you find yourself caught in a rip current?

A. Swim as hard as you can against it before it drags you further out

B. Never try to swim against it. Swim parallel to the beach until you are free of it, then make for the shore

C. Dive under the water and swim to avoid it

29. On average how many people drown worldwide each year?

A. 20,000

B. 320,000

C. 130,000

30. How can you help the RNLI save lives at sea?

A. Join RNLI as a member B. Donate in memory of a loved one

C. Both of the above

RESCUERS: An RNLI crew head out to sea after an emergency call.

A lifeboat crew launch an inshore lifeboat minutes after an alert.

Help is on its way as a rescue mission begins in Scottish waters.

Safety first as a young sailor is secured in her safety jacket.

A vital piece of kit for a lifeboat crew.