Regulations, Safety, and Navigation

Question 1

List the federally required equipment for a 33-foot recreational vessel equiped with an inboard disel engine.

Answer 1

1) Hull numbers + certificate + documentation number (if documented)
2) PFDs- Type II, II, or III for each person + 1 type IV (throwable)
3) Visual distress signals- 3 night flares covers day/night requirements, but 3 smoke flares and/or a distress flag can be used for day
4) Fire extinguisers- 2 B-I or 1 B-II
5) Sound producing device- Hand-held r mouth-blown horn
6) Navigation Lights- Sidelights + sternlight + masthead light
7) Placards- Discharge of oil + MARPOL discharge of garbage
8) Marine Sanitation Device- Type I, II, or III

Question 2

Decribe the characteristics and benefits of a Type I PFD

Answer 2

Offshore Life Jacket- Most Buoyant, Will roll unconscious person face-up, used in rough water and required on commerical vessels.

Question 3

Describe the characteristics and benefits of a Type II PFD

Answer 3

Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest- Foam vest may turn unconscious person face up.

Question 4

List the ASA recommended safety equipment

Answer 4

1) VHF radio
2) Cell Phone
3) Rope and twine
4) Charts and plotting tools
5) Anchor and Rode
6) Binoculars
7) First-aid kit
8) Tool kit
9) Rigging knife
10) Flashlights
11) High-power flashlight
12) Battery lantern
13) Clock or watch
14) Boathook
15) Portable bilge pump
16) Softwood plugs and hammer
17) Bucket
18) Radar reflector

Question 5

Describe the purpose and proper use of a safey harness and tether

Answer 5

A safety tether may be made of webbing or line and has a clip on either end, One end commenly attaches to a safety harness worn by the crew, the other end is secured to a strong pad-eye or jack-line. The purpose is to increase safety in beg winds and when sailing alone. Don’t attach your safety tether to lifelines, If no jackine is set up, clip onto a robust piece of hardware well inboard so you are not haning in the water if you lose your footing.

Question 6

What are the main responsibilities of the skipper?

Answer 6

Under maritime law, the captian of a ship is responsile for everything that happens on and to that ship. They are responsible for the safety of the vessel, passengers, and crew. The skipper is to ensure that action is taken when necessary, crew receive guidance if needed, and that the entire enterprise runs harmonioulsy and safely. The skipper gives a safety briefing to crew and passengers so all aboard know where to find safety equipment. Its also a part of the skipper’s job to train the crew effectively in the operation of the boat and use of it’s equipment.

Question 7

Describe the main responsibilities of the crew

Answer 7

The crew must respet the skipper’s authority. They should support the skipper and provide information and communicate effectivley.

Question 8

The ______ has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the _______, ________, and passengers.

Answer 8

Skipper or captain; vessel; crew

Question 9

What situations is it advisable to wear a life jacket?

Answer 9

Bad weather, heavy seas, cold seawater temperature, nighttime, poor visibility, when leaving the cockpit, if the boat has no life lines, feeling unwell, increased winds.

Question 10

Ways to reduce weather helm and excessive heeling include:

Answer 10

Heading up into the wind, easing the main sheet, taking the traveler leeward, tightening the adjustable backstay, tightening the out haul, reefing the mainsail

Question 11

Action taken by giveaway vessel

Answer 11

Early and substantial action to keep well clear of stand on vessel.

Question 12

Action by standing vessel

Answer 12

Maintains course and speed, but if necessary take actions to avoid a collision if it appears giveway vessel is not taking action required of it.

Question 13

Rule 6: Safe speed

Answer 13

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Question 14

Rule 7: Determination of collision risk

Answer 14

Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.

Question 15

Rule 8: Action to avoid collision

Answer 15

Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.

Question 16

Rule 8: Actions to take

Answer 16

Positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.
Alteration of course and/or speed.
Alteration of course alone.
Action which results in passing at a safe distance.
Allowing more time to assess the situation.

Question 17

Describe the location, color, and illumination angles of required navigation lights in a 33-foot recreational vessel at anchor.

Answer 17

An all-round white light where it can be best seen.

Question 18

Describe the location, color, and illumination angles of required navigation lights in a 33-foot recreational vessel under sail.

Answer 18

A red side port light with 112.5 degrees of arc visibility, a green starboard side light with 112.5 degrees of arc visibility, and a white stern light with 135 degrees of arc visibility.

Question 19

Describe the location, color, and illumination angles of required navigation lights in a 33-foot recreational vessel underpower.

Answer 19

The same lights required to be undersail, with the addition of a white masthead light that is visible in the arc covered by the combined red and green sidelights.

Question 20

Actions to be taken when operating a vessel in restricted visibility such as fog or haze.

Answer 20

Operate at a safe speed, listen for sound signals from other vessels, give one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts, repeated at intervals of not more than 2 minutes using your air horn.

Question 21

5 short blasts

Answer 21

Danger signal “I’m unsure of your intentions.”

Question 22

3 short blasts

Answer 22

“I am operating astern propulsion”

Question 23

2 short blasts

Answer 23

“I am altering course to port” Under International Rules

“I intend to leave you on my starboard side” under US Inland Rules. The vessel which the signal is directed must reply with either the same signal to agree or 5 Blast danger signal to disagree.

Question 24

1 short blast

Answer 24

“I am altering course to starboard” under international rules

“I intend to leave you on my port side” under US Inland rules. The vessel which the signal is directed must reply with either the same signal to agree or 5 Blast danger signal to disagree.

Question 25

Two methods for getting a person out of the water.

Answer 25

Quick Stop, Figure 8, or Broad Close Reach

Question 26

Stage 1- Mild Hypothermia symptoms and treatment

Answer 26

Symptoms: violent shivering, slurred speech

Treatment: remove wet clothing, wrap in blanket, give hot liquids

Question 27

Stage 2- Moderate Hypothermia symptoms and treatment

Answer 27

Symptoms: loss of muscle control, drowsiness, incoherence, exhaustion

Treatment: remove wet clothing, wrap in a large sleeping bag with a re-warming source such as an non-hypothermic person, cover head, don’t massage arms or legs, warm trunk first.

Question 28

Stage 3- Sever Hypothermia

Answer 28

Symptoms: Collapse, unconsciousness, heart failure, respiratory failure

Treatment: Severe hypothermia is a medical emergency. Call the Coast Guard or any other appropriate or available source of assistance if a hypothermia patient is not responding to treatment.

Question 29

How do you prevent undue magnetic influence on a compass?

Answer 29

Magnets, anything containing iron, and electric currents affect the compass. A cell phone within 1 foot of a compass can deflect the compass card by 20 degrees. Avoid placing items that might influence the compass within three feet of the ship’s compass, and that includes flashlights, some deck knives, and portable radios- all those things we like to keep close at hand in the cockpit.

Question 30

What are the common causes of fire aboard?

Answer 30

The major cause of fire aboard is electricity. Faulty wiring or electrical devices can overheat and ignite nearby combustible materials. Engine-compartment fires are next on the list, caused by fuel leaks near hot components and electrical devices. Cooking is low on the list. Many galley fires result from the use of alcohol fuel. An alcohol fire is extinguishable with water, but burning alcohol will float on water- if it gets into the bilge, the fire might spread unseen.

Question 31

How do you prevent fires and/or explosions aboard?

Answer 31

Store fire accelerators/combustible liquids in a locker isolated from ignition sources. Gasoline most be stored with care and in such away that fumes cannot get into the interior of the boat. If you smell gasoline or propane on boarding the boat, do not operate any electric switch or strike a match. Open the hatches and get off the boat. After 15 min reboard and turn on the bilge blower. If you still smell fumes, look for the source or call a mechanic to trace it.

Question 32

What do you do if a fire does occur?

Answer 32

• Assemble everyone in an area as far upwind of the fire as possible and make sure they are waring life jackets.
• Grab all the fire extinguishers.
• Grab the bucket with its lanyard.
• Retrieve the emergency flares from their locker.
• Retrieve the handheld VHF radio and switch it on.
• Grab any cell phones you can.
• Start fighting the fire.
• Fight the fire from an escapable position.
• Use fire extinguishers and buck up the extinguishers with the bucket. Use water on wood, fabric, and fiberglass, but not on burning liquids.
• Call for help
• Set off flares to attract the attention of boats within sight.

Question 33

How do you use a fire extinguisher?

Answer 33

Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep

Discharge the fire extinguisher in short bursts, aiming at the base of the flame and sweeping from side to side. Try to conserve the extinguishing material in the extinguisher but use enough to get the job done.

Question 34

Class A Fires

Answer 34

Involve common combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash, and plastics.

Question 35

Class B Fires

Answer 35

Involve flammable liquids, solvents, oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers and other oil-based products.

Question 36

Class C Fires

Answer 36

Involve energized electrical equipment such as wiring, controls, motors, machinery, or appliances.

Question 37

Class D Fires

Answer 37

Involve combustible metals such as magnesium, lithium, and titanium.

Question 38

Class K Fires

Answer 38

Involve combustible cooking media such as oils and grease commonly found in commercial kitchens.

Question 39

Describe safe refueling procedures for a vessel equipped with an outboard engine using gasoline or diesel

Answer 39

For gasoline:
*Once the boat is secured at the fuel dock, send the crew ashore, extinguish all open flames, turn off all electrical devices, and turn off the battery switch to eliminate the chance of an electrical spark.
*Close the portlights, hatches, and companionway.
*Locate the fuel-fill plate, It will be labeled “gas.” Be very, very careful not to put gasoline in any other deck opening. Open the fill plate with the deck-plate key.
For gasoline and diesel:
*Using the fuel gauge, estimate how much fuel you need to fill the tank.
* Double-check that you have the right fuel hose.
*Have someone on the dock place a rage over the fuel nozzle to catch drips and hand it to you.
*Insert the nozzle into the fuel fill.
Squeezed the trigger on the nozzle to start fueling. While fueling, have someone periodically call out the number of gallons pumped.
*When you estimate the tank is nearly full, listen carefully to the sound of the fuel running into the fill pipe. The note will change noticeably when the tank is full and the fill pipe itself is filling. Let go of the trigger immediately.
*Withdraw the nozzle while holding the rag around it to catch drips.
*Return nozzle to the attendant. Wipe up any spills and ask the attendant where you can properly dispose of the rag.
*Replace the cap in the fuel-fill plate.

Question 40

Describe the appearance and purpose of the “Diver Down” flag and the Alpha flag.

Answer 40

Recreation divers, particularly in the US and Canada often display the US recreation divers’ flag, it is orange/red with a white stripe from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. The Alpha flag or the international Code Flag A is a white flag, the right half of the flag is purple/blue with two tails. Both flags signify that I have a diver down, keep well clear at low speed. Other vessels are required to keep clear.

Question 41

Leeshore

Answer 41

A shore toward which the wind is blowing. A leeshore can be any obstruction or hazard, from a continent to a fishing pier, toward which the wind is blowing.

Question 42

What are the dangers of a Leeshore and how do you avoid one?

Answer 42

It only takes one small thing to go wrong and the boat is that much closer to danger. When trying to sail away from a lee shore, the psychological tendency is to pinch (sail too close to the wind) which slows the boat down. When you try to tack, you might not have enough headway and end up in irons or, in the stress of the situation, get an override on a winch. By the time you’re sailing again, you are much closer to the hazard. In heavy weather, a cruising sailboat is not as closewinded as in medium winds. Add the effects of big seas and a wind-driven surface current, and the problem compounds rapidly. Avoid a leeshore by carrying a mental image of your surroundings and the likely effects of a change in the wind or current and give potentially hazardous areas as wide a berth as possible.

Question 43

Describe the benefits of, and procedures for, heaving-to.