National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 8
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. In illustration D001SL, what is the edge of the sail labeled "A" called? o (A) Leech o (B) Headboard o (C) Clew (D) Luff If choice D is selected set score to 1. 2. As shown in illustration D002SL, which of the following describes the three corners of the main sail? o (A) Headboard, foot, and tail (B) Head, tack, and clew o (C) Head, fore, and aft o (D) Luff, leech, and spar 3. Which action will NOT reduce heeling of a vessel when sailing on a tack? (A) Changing to larger sails o (B) Reefing sails o (C) Heading up until your sails begin to luff o (D) Easing sheets 4. Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE regarding heaving-to? o (A) A sloop will heave to with her jib and mainsail aback. (B) A yawl will heave to with her jib aback, main sheet eased, and her mizzen sheeted in. o (C) A ketch will heave to with her jib and mizzen aback. o (D) A schooner will heave to best with a full main sheet. 5. Which is TRUE for a sailing vessel with the wind coming from 020 relative? o (A) The vessel is on a broad reach and a starboard tack (B) The vessel is coming about o (C) The vessel is close hauled on the port tack o (D) The vessel is running before the wind Page 2 of 8
6. Dacron sails, when not in use, may be damaged under which condition? o (A) When stowed wet o (B) If washed with soap (C) If left in the sunlight o (D) When folded frequently 7. One of the sailboat's crew has just fallen overboard. Which is the most efficient way to stop the vessel to recover the victim? o (A) Trim in the mainsheet o (B) Ease out the mainsheet (C) Head the vessel into the wind o (D) Head the vessel downwind 8. Which statement about sailing close-hauled is TRUE? o (A) If you ease the sheets, you can sail faster on the same course. o (B) If you ease the sheets, you can sail faster and closer to the wind. (C) If you steer closer to the wind, you will slow down. o (D) If you sheet your sails closer to the centerline, you must bear away from the wind. 9. What is the name of the metal horseshoe-shaped pieces used to bend a sail onto a stay? o (A) Warps o (B) Gudgeons o (C) Shackles (D) Hanks If choice D is selected set score to 1. 10. What standing rigging supports the mast in the fore-and-aft and athwartships directions? o (A) Guys and vangs (B) Shrouds and stays o (C) Vangs and shrouds o (D) Sheets and guys Page 3 of 8
11. When is the VERY BEST time to cross a bar in rough weather? o (A) During the slack just before the flood current o (B) During the maximum ebb current o (C) During the tidal bore (D) During the slack just before the ebb current If choice D is selected set score to 1. 12. You are at the helm of a sailing vessel under sail on the starboard tack, close hauled, and you are instructed to "head up". Which action should you take? o (A) Push the tiller to starboard if you are steering with a tiller (B) Turn the wheel to starboard if you are steering with a wheel o (C) Turn the wheel to port if you are steering with a wheel o (D) Hold a steady helm and allow the jib to lufft 13. You are at the helm of a schooner-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the port tack, on a beam reach, with all appropriate sails set and properly trimmed. You are instructed to "bear off quickly". Which action will utilize your sails to assist with the turn? o (A) Slacken the fore-staysail sheet o (B) Slacken the foresail sheet (C) Slacken the main sheet o (D) Slacken the jib sheet 14. A small sailing vessel is anchoring to wait out rough weather. Which combination of material is BEST suited for this boats anchor rode? (A) Chain-nylon o (B) Chain-manila o (C) All chain o (D) Chain-wire 15. You are running before a rough sea and a strong wind. Your sailing vessel is yawing. Which term describes the situation if the wind should catch the mainsail on the reverse? o (A) Broach o (B) Tack o (C) Go in irons (D) Jibe If choice D is selected set score to 1. Page 4 of 8
16. A sail plan should include the vessel's itinerary, name, number, and persons aboard. Who should this information initially be given to, prior to your departure? o (A) The U.S. Customs o (B) The local Coast Guard RCC (C) A responsible person o (D) The FAA 17. On some sail boats, the bottom of the mast rests on a part of the keel. What is the proper nomenclature for this part? (A) The keel step o (B) The foot keel o (C) The keel sole o (D) The heel step 18. Your 80-ton schooner is hove to on the starboard tack under storm trysail and fore-staysail in 45 knots of wind. Your heading is averaging about 000 true and the wind is from the northeast. There is a dangerous shoal bearing 270 true, range 5 miles. Which action would be appropriate? (A) You should tack or jibe to the port tack and make all possible headway to the south. o (B) You should strike all sails and get underway under bare poles, making as much way as possible to the north. o (C) You should set a reefed foresail and strike the jib. o (D) You need only stay alert for changes, as your present drift will carry you away from the danger. 19. With regard to aerodynamic lift, which statement is TRUE? o (A) A properly trimmed sail should have laminar flow on the windward side and turbulent flow on the leeward side. (B) If the thrust on a sail becomes excessive when close-hauled, it is likely to capsize the vessel rather than drive it. o (C) Adjusting the angle of attack on a mainsail is accomplished by adjusting the outhaul or the vang, if fitted. o (D) When a sail is trimmed too tight, turbulence will break out on the windward side of the sail and cause a telltale there to flutter. Page 5 of 8
20. Your vessel is drifting with the wind broad on the port beam. The Marconi sail is set and flapping free. When is the maximum drive attained as you sheet in the sail? (A) When it first takes the shape of an airfoil o (B) When it is filled with a slight flap at the leech o (C) When it is 45 from the apparent wind o (D) When it is at right angles to the true wind Page 6 of 8
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D001SL 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 7 of 8
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D002SL 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 8 of 8