USCG Auxiliary Sail (AXS01)

On a sailing vessel, the point of sail with the wind coming from nearly dead ahead, sails trimmed in tightly, is called:

• AA broad reach
• BClose-hauled
• CA beam reach
• DRunning free

When a sailing vessel has the wind coming over the starboard side, she is said to be on:

• APort tack
• BStarboard tack
• CA dead run only
• DA beam reach only

A sailing vessel with the true wind approximately 90° from the bow is on which point of sail?

• AClose-hauled
• BBroad reach
• CBeam reach
• DRunning

Apparent wind is best described as:

• AOnly the wind shown on a land weather map
• BThe vector combination of true wind and the wind created by the vessel's motion
• CTrue wind with current removed
• DWind measured only at the masthead when stopped

Coming about (tacking) means changing course so that:

• AThe stern passes through the wind
• BThe bow passes through the wind
• CThe vessel always remains on the same tack
• DSails are lowered completely before turning

A controlled jibe is a maneuver in which:

• AThe bow is driven through the wind with the jib backed
• BThe stern passes through the wind and the boom is controlled as it crosses
• CThe vessel stops with sails aback and drifts to leeward only
• DOnly the engine is used to reverse course

The gooseneck on a sailing vessel is primarily:

• AA sailing maneuver that brings the head through the wind
• BThe fitting that attaches the boom to the mast and allows the boom to pivot
• CA type of headsail used only on a run
• DThe lower block of a boom vang only

Standing rigging generally refers to:

• ASheets and halyards that are adjusted under sail
• BFixed supports such as shrouds and stays that support the mast
• COnly the boom vang and traveler
• DMooring lines used at the dock

Running rigging includes which of the following?

• AForestay and cap shrouds only
• BHalyards and sheets used to hoist and trim sails
• CKeel bolts and chainplates
• DAnchor rode and snubber only

Under COLREGS Rule 25, a sailing vessel underway shall exhibit at a minimum:

• AMasthead light, sidelights, and sternlight like a power-driven vessel
• BSidelights and a sternlight
• COnly an all-round white light
• DTwo masthead lights and a towing light

A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit, by day, where it can best be seen:

• AA black diamond
• BA conical shape, apex downwards
• CTwo black balls in a vertical line
• DA black cylinder

When a sailing vessel is also propelled by machinery, for the purpose of the steering and sailing rules she is generally treated as:

• AA sailing vessel with full Rule 12 privileges always
• BA power-driven vessel
• CA vessel not under command
• DA vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver by definition

Under Rule 12, when two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision and each has the wind on a different side, which vessel shall keep out of the way?

• AThe vessel that is close-hauled
• BThe vessel that has the wind on the port side
• CThe vessel that has the wind on the starboard side
• DThe larger vessel

Under Rule 12, when both sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, which vessel shall keep out of the way?

• AThe vessel which is to windward
• BThe vessel which is to leeward
• CThe vessel that is faster
• DNeither; both must reverse course

A power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are crossing so as to involve risk of collision in open water (neither is NUC, RAM, fishing, etc.). Which statement is correct under Rule 18?

• AThe sailing vessel must always give way to the power-driven vessel
• BThe power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel
• CThe smaller vessel always keeps clear
• DNeither vessel has any duty until within 100 yards

In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length, the sidelights and sternlight prescribed by Rule 25 may be:

• AOmitted entirely at night
• BCombined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen
• CReplaced by a single red light only
• DShown only when at anchor

In addition to sidelights and a sternlight, a sailing vessel underway may exhibit at or near the top of the mast:

• ATwo all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower green
• BTwo all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper green and the lower red
• CA single all-round yellow light
• DThree all-round white lights

Reefing a sail means:

• AShaking all reefs out to increase sail area in a calm
• BReducing sail area by securing a portion of the sail to lower the center of effort
• CRemoving the mast from the step
• DOnly changing from jib to spinnaker

A prudent practice when wind is building and the vessel is overpowered is to:

• AWait until a knockdown before reducing sail
• BReef early, while the crew still has control and sea room
• CSheet everything hard and ignore helm feel
• DAlways hoist more sail to stabilize the boat

Weather helm is the tendency of a sailing vessel to:

• ATurn to leeward if the helm is released
• BTurn to windward if the helm is released
• CDrift sideways with no turning moment
• DOnly occur when the engine is running

Excessive weather helm is often reduced by:

• AIncreasing mainsail power far aft while easing the headsail
• BReducing heel, balancing sail plan (e.g., reefing main or adjusting jib/main relationship…
• CAlways moving all weight to the bow
• DRemoving the rudder

The center of effort of a sail plan is best described as:

• AThe geometric center of the keel only
• BThe effective point through which the aerodynamic force of the sails may be considered to…
• CThe attachment point of the anchor rode
• DThe highest point on the masthead light

Heaving-to is primarily used to:

• AMaximize speed on a tight racing leg
• BStop or greatly slow the vessel in a controlled attitude for rest, sail handling, or heav…
• CDock stern-to under full spinnaker
• DIndicate a vessel not under command with day shapes only

When starting an auxiliary engine while under sail near other traffic, a key consideration under the Navigation Rules is that:

• AYou remain a sailing vessel for right-of-way as long as any sail is up
• BUsing propelling machinery makes you a power-driven vessel and may change your rights and…
• CYou become automatically restricted in ability to maneuver
• DRules of the Road no longer apply within 1 mile of shore

A practical reason to use an auxiliary engine on a sail vessel is to:

• AAvoid all COLREGS obligations
• BMaintain control in calm, enter a harbor, or assist docking when sail alone is unsafe or…
• CReplace the need for a proper lookout
• DEliminate the need for navigation lights

In a man-overboard situation under sail, the first priority is typically to:

• AGo below to log the position only
• BKeep the person in sight, alert the crew, and begin an immediate recovery plan while cont…
• CJibe immediately without regard to boom or crew
• DShut down all communication equipment

When recovering a person from the water alongside a sailboat with an auxiliary engine, a major hazard to avoid is:

• AUsing a throw rope
• BContact with a turning propeller
• CStopping the vessel completely in all cases before any approach
• DWearing a life jacket in the water

Luffing occurs when:

• AThe sail is full and drawing with maximum power
• BThe leading edge (luff) of a sail flutters because the sail is too close to the wind or u…
• CThe boom is secured amidships with a preventer only
• DThe vessel is under bare poles

A preventer is typically used to:

• APrevent the anchor from dragging only
• BRestrain the boom from an accidental jibe by securing it to leeward
• CReplace the forestay
• DIndicate a vessel constrained by draft

On a run (wind from aft), which danger is particularly associated with an uncontrolled boom?

• AInability to use a compass
• BAccidental jibe with rapid boom swing, risking injury and gear damage
• CAutomatic grounding on any charted shoal
• DLoss of all electrical power by rule

Close reaching is best described as sailing:

• AWith the wind dead aft and spinnaker only
• BBetween close-hauled and a beam reach
• COnly under bare poles
• DWith sails completely aback as a normal trim

A broad reach has the wind:

• ADead ahead in the no-go zone
• BAbaft the beam but not dead aft
• COnly from directly abeam
• DOnly inside a marina fairway by definition

The no-go zone (or forbidden zone) for a typical sailing vessel is:

• AThe sector too close to the true wind where sails cannot generate useful drive
• BAny course more than 90° from the wind
• COnly courses under power
• DThe entire leeward hemisphere

When docking a sailboat under power in a crosswind, a good practice is to:

• AIgnore spring lines and rely only on sail drive
• BPlan approach so wind and current effects are anticipated; have lines and fenders ready;…
• CApproach at hull speed with sails fully drawing
• DNever use an engine in any marina

Before entering a crowded harbor under sail, the master should particularly consider:

• AThat COLREGS never apply in harbors
• BManeuvering room, traffic, ability to stop or reverse under sail alone, and whether to mo…
• CLowering all navigation lights in daylight
• DHeaving-to in the fairway as a right-of-way claim

A sudden gust (puff) that increases heel and weather helm is best met initially by:

• ASheeting the main harder and bearing away into more power always
• BEasing sheets and/or heading up as appropriate to depower, then adjusting sail plan if gu…
• CAbandoning the helm
• DHoisting a larger headsail immediately

Broaching under sail typically involves:

• AA controlled stop alongside a dock
• BRounding up or being thrown broadside when overpowered, often with large heel and loss of…
• COnly a deliberate tacking drill
• DSetting a second anchor

A knockdown under sail means:

• AThe vessel is laid over severely by wind/wave action, often with mast near or in the water
• BThe crew knocks on the hull to test thickness
• CNormal 5° heel on a reach
• DOnly a controlled dry-dock haulout

Increasing free surface effect from loose water in bilges or tanks tends to:

• AImprove stability by lowering the center of gravity always
• BReduce stability by allowing the liquid to shift with heel
• CHave no effect on a sailing vessel
• DOnly affect power-driven vessels

Under Rule 12(a)(iii), if a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall:

• AMaintain course and speed as stand-on always
• BKeep out of the way of the other vessel
• CSound five short blasts only and continue
• DAnchor immediately

A sailing vessel underway must still:

• AIgnore Rule 5 lookout because sail is quiet
• BMaintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means appropriate to…
• CUse radar as the sole lookout method in clear weather
• DPost a lookout only at night

In restricted visibility, a sailing vessel making way should sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes:

• AOne short blast only
• BOne prolonged blast followed by two short blasts
• CFive short blasts continuously
• DNo signal if under sail

Which statement about leeway is correct?

• ALeeway is the sideways drift of a vessel downwind caused by wind acting on hull and rig
• BLeeway is always equal to current set
• CLeeway only occurs under power
• DLeeway improves upwind VMG automatically

Backing a jib during a tack is sometimes used to:

• AIncrease speed through the no-go zone indefinitely
• BHelp push the bow through the wind, especially on heavy or underpowered vessels
• CReplace the need for a rudder permanently
• DIndicate NUC status

A boom vang (kicking strap) is used primarily to:

• ASupport the mast laterally like a shroud
• BControl boom height/leech tension, especially off the wind
• CServe as the only mooring line
• DReplace the keel

The mainsheet primarily controls:

• AForestay tension only
• BThe angle of the mainsail/boom relative to the centerline (trim of the main)
• CEngine throttle
• DDepth sounder calibration

A headsail sheet leads to:

• AThe clew of the jib/genoa for trimming the headsail
• BThe top of the mast only
• CThe rudder stock as a tiller extension
• DThe propeller shaft

Which condition most clearly requires reducing sail for safety?

• ASteady light air with full control and comfortable heel
• BPersistent overpowering: excessive heel, hard weather helm, frequent round-ups, or crew d…
• CMotoring in a calm with sails furled
• DAt anchor with sail covers on