ASA general

Question 1

What are the 3 sources of power in a sail?

Answer 1

Angle of attack, sail shape, sail twist

Question 2

What is angle of attack?

Answer 2

The angle at which the wind hits the sail

Question 3

What is sail shape?

Answer 3

Sail shape is dictated by the draft or the sail’s deepest curved part of the sail

Question 4

Would you want more or less sail twist in very windy conditions?

Answer 4

more

Question 5

two things that increase weather helm

Answer 5

Moving weight towards the bow Taking down the foresail Luffing the foresail

Question 6

Weather helm versus Lee helm

Answer 6

If you have a tiller, weather helm is when you have to pull the tiller to weather (toward the wind) in order to keep the boat going in a straight line. Lee helm is when you push the tiller to lee (downwind) in order to keep the boat going in a straight line.

Question 7

what is “rounding up”

Answer 7

Rounding-up is a phenomenon that occurs in sailing when the helmsman (or tiller-handler) is no longer able to control the direction of the boat and it heads up (or “rounds up”) into the wind, causing the boat to slow down, stall out, or tack.

Question 8

things that increase lee helm

Answer 8

Reefing the mainsail putting on a larger foresail mast rake is too far forward

Question 9

Would you want more sail draft or less sail draft in light conditions?

Answer 9

more

Question 10

what is sail “draft”

Answer 10

The amount of curvature in the sail.

Question 11

In strong winds, to help depower the boat you would (tighten or ease) the boom vang

Answer 11

Eased

Question 12

What does the cunningham do?

Answer 12

Stretches the mainsail luff

Question 13

Fire extinguishers a, b, c, d

Answer 13

Type A = ash Type B = oil, fuel Type C = electrical Type D = magnesium

Question 14

Life sling device - do not use?

Answer 14

Figure 8 COB

Question 15

Radio Communications Ship to Ship Securitè Pân-Pân Mayday

Answer 15

Radio Communications Ship to Ship Securitè Pân-Pân Mayday

Question 16

Daily engine checks: engine cold:

Answer 16

Belts and Water strainer Oil and Coolant

Question 17

Name three sources of reliable weather information in the U.S.? 39

Answer 17

Weather information is available on VHF WX channels, online, weather apps, posted in most marinas or charter companies, AM/FM radio, airports, National Weather Service, newspapers, etc.

Question 18

List four requirements of a good anchorage.

Answer 18

 shelter from wind and waves
 a good bottom type that will hold the anchor
 adequate swing area to allow for wind shifts
 adequate water depth for scope and tide considerations
 out of traffic
 not in a shipping lane or restricted area
 not on a lee shore

Question 19

Answer True or False 33

• leave the engine running while refueling ________
• open up all hatches before you start pumping fuel ________
• make sure someone stays onboard in case a fire should break out ________
• it’s okay to leave portable tanks onboard so long as the fuel hose reaches _______
• ground the fuel nozzle against the side of the boat ______

Answer 19

F

F

F

F

F (Initially ground the fuel pump nozzle against the filler pipe rim. Pump the fuel with the
fuel pump nozzle pressed against the filler pipe rim in order to keep it grounded.

Question 20

To avoid grounding at anchor, what precautions should you take?

Answer 20

 make sure that your swing area will not take you into shallow water;
 make sure you have the appropriate scope for the conditions;
 make sure you are using the correct anchor for the bottom type;
 check tide tables;
 check your chart to see what type of bottom you are anchoring in

Question 21

What are the responsibilities of a ‘Stand On’ vessel?

Answer 21

The ‘Stand On’ vessel is required to maintain its course and speed in order to allow the ‘Give
Way’ vessel the opportunity to alter its course and avoid a possible collision. If it becomes
apparent that the ‘Give Way’ vessel is unable or has not taken the appropriate evasive action, the
‘Stand On’ vessel must then take action to avoid a collision.

Question 22

You are entering a channel and see a Red and White buoy. What kind of buoy
is this and what does it mean? 21

Answer 22

Safewater or Mid-Channel Buoys indicate that there is safe water in all directions around
the buoy. They are typically used to mark the entrance to channels or the centerline of channels.
Fairway buoys, when marking the centerline of channels, should always be kept to port.

Question 23

What is a bifurcation buoy? What colors are associated with a bifurcation buoy?

which channel do you take if the top color is red?

which channel do you take if the top color is green?

Answer 23

Bifurcation Buoys can be found where one channel branches off into two channels or where
one channel meets another. The bifurcation buoy marks the preferred channel (typically deeper
and wider).
A red over green bifurcation buoy: the preferred channel can be taken by leaving
the bifurcation buoy to the starboard side of your boat. therefore you must take the channel to the left (port).
A green over red bifurcation buoy: the preferred channel keeps the buoy to the port side of the boat, you take the
channel to the right (starboard).

Question 24

describe shape, color and numbers (even or odd) of channel markers)

Answer 24

Aside from color, the shape, number and appearance of a buoy is very important in identifying
the type of buoy. All green lights or buoys are numbered with an odd number and all red lights or
buoys are numbered with an even number.

The shape of a buoy can be cylindrical (called a ‘can’ because of its shape), conical (cone), spar
and pillar.
Green lights or buoys will have a flat top – can, spar or top mark. Red lights or buoys will have a
pointed top – cone, spar or top mark.

Question 25

List 3 characteristics of a Port channel buoy.

Answer 25

green

square

odd numbered

Question 26

What should you do in conditions of poor visibility? 46

Answer 26

 slow down
 put on PFD’s and safety harnesses (while on deck)

 assign additional ‘lookouts’ with a ‘lookout’ posted near the bow
 instruct your ‘lookouts’ to look and listen
 record your position on the chart and update your position frequently
 turn on your running (navigation) lights
 make appropriate sound signals  attach a radar reflector
 turn on radar set for a range of 3 miles
 stay out of shipping lanes
 idle so you can hear better
 listen to channel 16 on your radio

Question 27

What sort of weather would you expect to find with cumulonimbus clouds?

Answer 27

 strong, shifty winds;
 rain;
 thunder and lightening

Question 28

There is no ‘Stand On’ vessel when two _________?

Answer 28

When power driven vessels are meeting
head on or near head on, each vessel must
alter their course to starboard. This means
that each vessel will pass the other port
side to port side. In this situation there is
no ‘stand on’ vessel, each must stay clear
of the other.

Question 29

Describe symptoms of mild hypothermia.

Answer 29

 uncontrollable shivering
 numbness in the hands and feet
 impaired judgment
 fatigue, loss of co-ordination, weakness

Question 30

What is the risk of sailing by ‘the lee’? 11

Answer 30

Accidental jibe

Question 31

Water depth is 12ft., height of bow above water is 4 ft., wind conditions are moderate
and you wish to anchor to overnight – how much anchor rode do you need?

Answer 31

 overnight anchoring in moderate conditions – you will need a 5:1 scope. (5 X 16 = 80);
 you will need 80 ft. of anchor rode

Question 32

What is the benefit of having a small section of heavy chain at the end of the anchor
rode? 48

Answer 32

 the chain prevents chafing (a nylon line attached directly to the anchor would
easily chafe on the bottom and break)
 the chain causes the anchor to lie more horizontal for a better bite
 the chain acts as a shock absorber – when the boat pulls on its rode, it has to lift
the heavy gauge chain which takes up some of the shock before the strain reaches
the anchor

Question 33

Which tack (Port or Starboard) is the preferred tack to be in a ‘hove to’ position and
why?

Answer 33

When a boat is Hove To, it is still considered to be underway according to the Colregs and
therefore, it is best to end up hove to on a starboard tack. In this position, all sailing vessels on
a port tack must give way.

Question 34

You see a vessel approaching on a collision course – what sound signal should you
make?

Answer 34

Five short horn blasts - danger

Question 35

46 You are sailing a 27 ft. boat and it is now after dusk. Using the

diagram, draw the arc for each light you will have on and specify
the color of the light. Answer #46

Answer 35

 Red Port;
 Green Starboard;
 White Stern;
 White Masthead

Question 36

You are sailing on a starboard tack. Sailboat ‘A’ is upwind from your sailboat and is
sailing downwind on a converging course with your sailboat. You are unable to
determine which tack sailboat ‘A’ is on. Are you the ‘Stand On’ or ‘Give Way’ boat?

what if it is the same situation, but you are on a port tack 14

Answer 36

You are the ‘stand on’ vessel and vessel ‘A’ is the ‘give way’ vessel. Vessel ‘A’ is either
on a starboard or port tack. Since you are on a starboard tack, vessel ‘A’ must give way
because if vessel ‘A’ is on a port tack then the rule ‘port gives way to starboard’ applies.
If vessel ‘A’ is on the same tack, then the upwind vessel (vessel ‘A’) must give way to
the leeward vessel.

STARBOARD TACK AND DOWNWIND HAVE ROW

PORT TACK AND UPWIND GIVE WAY

FOR POWER BOATS, VESSEL ON THE PORT SIDE GIVES WAY

 If you were on a port tack, the situation would be completely different and you would
‘give way’

Question 37

47 Using the same diagram, it is after dusk, you have been sailing but

now the wind has dropped so you decide to motor sail. What lights
will you have on – draw the arc(s) and specify the color.
Answer #47

Answer 37

 Red Port;
 Green Starboard;
 White Stern;
 White Masthead

Question 38

48 You reach your overnight location and drop anchor. What light(s)

will you have on – draw the arc and specify the color.
Answer #48

Answer 38

 White All-round

Question 39

How many flares and type are required for a 30 ft. sailboat?

Answer 39

A minimum of three signals are required for day use and three signals for night use. Some flares
meet both day and night use requirements.

Question 40

You have a 30 foot sailboat with a diesel motor and cooking facilities – what USCG
safety equipment are you required to have?

Answer 40

 life jackets (PFD’s) for each person on board;
 navigation lights;
 flares (3 daytime and 3 night time flares or 3 combination day/night flares);
 sound making device;
 type IV throwable device;
 2 type B-I or 1 type B-II fire extinguishers

Question 41

List five pieces of recommended safety equipment? 32

Answer 41

 bucket
 bailing device or manual pump
 sponge
 knife (rigging knife preferred)
 first aid kit
 cell phone
 VHF radio
 air horn
 whistle
 flashlight (water tight preferred)
 tools and spare parts
 compass
 drinking water
 anchor and rode
 strong line (towing, jury rigging)
 sunscreen

Question 42

You are at the helm of a 30 ft. sailboat when you feel the keel start to touch the bottom.
What immediate course of action should you take?

Answer 42

You will need to change the course of the boat immediately because you headed into shallow
water. If you are sailing upwind, tack immediately. If you are sailing downwind, head up
immediately.

Question 43

The Aft spring line stops the boat from?

The breast lines prevent the _____ and ______ from moving outwards from the dock.

Answer 43

The Aft spring line stops the boat from moving forward when tied to a dock.

The breast lines prevent the Bow and Stern from moving outwards from the dock.

Question 44

Sails are trimmed based on: A. The Apparent Wind

B. The True Wind

Answer 44

Sails are trimmed based on apparent wind direction. (Points of sail are determined by
boat angle to the true wind.)

Question 45

LIST ALL PRECAUTIONS WHEN FUELING

Answer 45

Safe Refueling Procedures – Gasoline & Diesel
Many boat fires are caused as a result of failing to follow safe refueling procedures.
1) Secure the boat to the fuel dock.
2) Have all passengers and crew leave the boat and wait on the refueling dock.
3) Turn off the motor.
4) Electrical equipment should be turned off.
5) Do not use the stove.
6) Make sure you have a fire extinguisher readily available in the event of a fire.
7) Remove all portable gas tanks from the boat – never fill a portable gas tank while it is
on the boat.
8) Close all hatches, portholes and the companionway to prevent any gasoline or diesel
fumes from entering the cabin area.
9) Make sure that the fuel is going to be pumped into the fuel tank and not into the water
tank. On some boats the water tank filler cap and the fuel tank filler cap look similar.
10) Make sure the correct fuel is going to be pumped into your fuel tank.
11) Do not smoke and make sure that no one around you is smoking.
12) Initially ground the fuel pump nozzle against the filler pipe rim. Pump the fuel with the
fuel pump nozzle pressed against the filler pipe rim in order to keep it grounded. Static
electricity can easily ignite gasoline fumes.
13) Do not leave the fuel pump unattended while pumping fuel.
14) Do not overfill the tank. You should roughly know how much fuel your boat will take
so you should anticipate when the tank is near full.
15) Immediately wipe up any fuel spills. Spilling fuel into the water is an environmental
hazard and subject to severe penalties.
16) When you have finished refueling, replace the fuel filler cap.
17) Ventilate – this is very important. Most refueling fires occur as a result of improper
ventilation after refueling. Ventilate means opening all hatches, portholes, companion
way entrance and turning the blower on (if you have one). You should ventilate the
boat for at least five minutes before starting the engine. After 5 minutes has elapsed
‘sniff’ the boat. This means walking through the boat and checking the bilge and any
closed in areas for the smell of fuel. If you detect any odor of fuel, continue to ventilate
the boat.
18) Check the boat for any signs of a fuel leak.
19) Have your passengers and crew return to the boat when it is safe to do so.

Question 46

what are the responsibilities of the give way vessel?

Answer 46

The ‘Give Way’ vessel must take early and substantial action to keep clear of the ‘Stand On’
vessel. This means that the ‘Give Way’ vessel must make its intentions clear by making a
noticeable alteration in its course or speed. This will put the ‘Stand On’ vessel on notice that the
‘Give Way’ vessel is taking evasive action.

Question 47

Power Driven Vessels Crossing who has Row?

Answer 47

When power driven vessels are on
converging paths, so that one must pass
in front of the other, the vessel that has
the other vessel on its starboard side
must stay clear of the starboard vessel
and allow it to pass in front.

Question 48

THREE BASIC RULES FOR ROW:

STARBOARD v PORT

UPWIND v DOWNWIND

POWER VESSELS CROSSING

Answer 48

STARBOARD TACK HAS ROW

PORT TACK GIVES WAY

DOWNWIND HAS ROW*

UPWIND GIVES WAY

FOR POWER BOATS, VESSEL ON THE PORT SIDE GIVES WAY,

VESSEL ON THE STARBOARD SIDE HAS ROW

* downwind vessel on a port tack gives way

Question 49

Isolated Danger Buoys

appearance?

Answer 49

mark areas of isolated danger. Isolated danger buoys are characterized by flashing white lights (if lighted) and black, red, black (BRB) horizontal lines. The top mark on an isolated danger buoy consist of two balls or discs,
one over the other.

Question 50

sounds for a sailboat to make with the boat horn in fog or poor vizibility

powerboat?

Answer 50

Sailboats – one long blast and two short blasts no longer than two minutes apart
Power Boats – one long blast no longer than two minutes apart

Question 51

how calculate anchor rode?

Answer 51

To determine how much anchor rode you
will need, you take the height of the bow off
the surface of the water (waterline) and add
the water depth. multipy times appropriate factor

Question 52

Anchor rode:

for lunch

for strong winds

for moderate winds

Answer 52

3: 1
7: 1 up to 10:1
5: 1

Question 54

intend to change course to starboard

intend to change course to port

in reverse (backing up)

danger

Answer 54

One short horn blast –
Two short horn blasts –
Three short horn blasts –
Five short horn blasts -

Question 55

One short horn blast –
Two short horn blasts –
Three short horn blasts –
Five short horn blasts -

Answer 55

intend to change course to starboard

intend to change course to port

in reverse (backing up)

danger