Navigation and Weather

Question 1

A skipper is responsible for the safety of the ___ and ___. While he may delegate tasks to an experienced ___, the skipper will always be held responsible.

Answer 1

crew, boat, crewmember

Question 2

List at least four important items of emergency equipment that should be located and checked before departure:

Answer 2

life jackets (or PFDs), fire extinguishers, horn, VHF radio, flares, bilge pumps

Question 3

When controlling a dockline from on board, take at least one ___ around a cleat to take the load and avoid rope burns.

Answer 3

turn

Question 4

When docking or undocking under power, the two primary factors to assess are ___ and ___.

Answer 4

wind, current

Question 5

The flow of water generated by the propeller is called ___ ___.

Answer 5

prop wash

Question 6

The tendency for the stern of the boat with a right-handed prop to move to ___ when reverse gear is first engaged is called ___ ___

Answer 6

port, prop walk

Question 7

To make a 180-degree turn in a limited space you must perform a ___ ___. On a boat with a right-handed prop, this entails turning to starboard with alternate bursts of ___ and ___ power.

Answer 7

standing turn, forward, reverse

Question 8

When you encounter adverse wind conditions during docking or undocking, the use of ___ lines as well as the engine and the ___ will help you control the boat.

Answer 8

spring, rudder

Question 9

The greater the tidal range, the longer the docklines must be to allow the boat to ___ and ___ with the tide.

Answer 9

rise, fall

Question 10

List three indications that your anchor may be dragging: ___, ___, or ___.

Answer 10

vibrating anchor chain, changes in range or bearings, closeness to another vessel

Question 11

Two anchors set from the bow 45 to 60 degrees apart is called a ___ ___. This method maximizes holding power and reduces ___.

Answer 11

forked moor, swing

Question 12

When approaching a mooring buoy, preparation and ___ between skipper and ___ are essential for a perfect pick up.

Answer 12

planning (or communication), crew

Question 13

The VHF radio is the primary means for making urgent communications. The three levels of urgent calls are ___ for life-threatening situations, ___ for non-life threatening situations and ___ for navigation or weather hazards.

Answer 13

mayday, pan pan, securite

Question 14

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), published under the title ___ ___, establish actions to prevent collisions. Nevertheless, Rule 2 states that ___ is responsible for avoiding a collision.

Answer 14

navigation rules, everyone

Question 15

At night, a sailboat under sail may show a masthead ___ light alone. If under power, a boat must show a white ___ light above deck-level sidelights.

Answer 15

tricolor, steaming (or masthead)

Question 16

Before towing a dinghy, remove loose gear and tilt or remove the ___. When towing, use a ___ towline, attach the dinghy securely to the sailboat, and tow it at a ___ behind the boat appropriate for the conditions.

Answer 16

outboard, sturdy, distance

Question 17

When arriving in a foreign country, you must fly the ___ flag just below your starboard spreader. After clearing ___ and ___, you must lower it and fly the nation’s courtesy flag in its place.

Answer 17

Q flag, customs, immigrations

Question 18

A large-scale chart shows a small geographic area in ___ detail. A small-scale chart shows a large area in ___ detail.

Answer 18

great, less

Question 19

To measure the distance between two points on a nautical chart, span your dividers between the two points, then measure on the latitude / longitude scale (circle one), where 1 minute = 1 ___ ___.

Answer 19

latitude, nautical mile

Question 20

If the distance between waypoints A and B on your course is 18 nm and your speed is 5 knots, your Estimated Time Enroute is ___ hours. If you depart A at 0845, your ETA at B will be ___.

Answer 20

3.6, 1221

Question 21

Your direction of intended travel is called the ___, but the path that the boat actually follows is the ___. A properly calculated and steered ___ will allow your course and track to be the same.

Answer 21

course, track, heading

Question 22

Dead reckoning uses the boat’s ___, ___, and time elapsed to determine a DR position. A DR position does not incorporate ___ or leeway.

Answer 22

heading, speed, current

Question 23

The intersection of two or more ___ ___ ___ gives a fix, which is the calculated position of the boat.

Answer 23

lines of position (or LOPs)

Question 24

When navigating with a GPS plotter, it’s important to use the appropriate ___ to ensure you have the correct level of detail for safety.

Answer 24

zoom

Question 25

The vertical datum from which soundings are referenced on NOAA charts is ___ ___ ___ ___. On British Admiralty charts, the vertical datum is ___ ___ ___.

Answer 25

Mean Lower Low Water, Lowest Astronomical Tide

Question 26

In the Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes, wind circulates clockwise and outward from a ___-pressure system, and counterclockwise and into a ___-pressure system.

Answer 26

High, Low

Question 27

Using the rule of 15s, state the lower threshold wind speeds for: Small Craft Advisory ___, gale ___, storm ___ and hurricane ___.

Answer 27

20 kt, 35kt, 50kt, 65kt

Question 28

___ fog forms on clear nights with ___ wind, and will burn off with the sun or dissipate in the wind. A fog that requires wind to transport warm air over cold water, and may persist even in strong winds is called ___ fog.

Answer 28

radiation, calm, advection

Question 29

List at least three actions to take when navigating in low visibility:

Answer 29

take a fix, plot a course, slow down, make sound signals, hoist a radar reflector

Question 30

Synoptic-scale describes weather patterns over a large area, but local winds may be strongly influenced by local factors such as ___.

Answer 30

terrain

Question 31

An onshore breeze, driven by differential heating of land and sea, that may enhance or diminish the synoptic wind, is called a ___ ___.

Answer 31

sea breeze