AB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'spring line' used for when mooring? → To prevent the vessel from moving forward or aft along the dock
2. What is a meteorological 'trough'? → An elongated area of low pressure
3. What is the purpose of COLREGs? → Prevent collisions
4. What does a steady barometer generally indicate about upcoming weather? → Continued settled weather
5. When rigging a pilot ladder, which of the following is a critical SOLAS requirement? → The bottom four steps must be made of rubber or a resilient synthetic material.
6. What is a ship's compass used for? → Determine direction
7. What is heaving a line? → Throwing a small line
8. When a vessel is described as 'dragging anchor,' it means the anchor is: → Failing to hold and sliding along the bottom
9. To minimize the risk of slips, trips, and falls on deck, which of the following is the BEST practice? → Maintaining clear walkways and promptly cleaning up any spills.
10. What is a helm order? → Steering instruction
11. What is a bearing in navigation? → Navigational direction
12. What weather change typically accompanies the passage of a cold front? → Sudden squalls and sharp wind shift
13. When taking a vessel's mooring lines to a dock, the correct order for making fast is typically: → Bow line, stern line, springs, then breast lines
14. What does 'list' mean in vessel stability terms? → A permanent lean to one side caused by off-center weight distribution
15. Under MARPOL Annex V, which of the following types of garbage is strictly prohibited from being discharged into the sea at any time or location? → Plastics, including synthetic ropes and fishing nets
16. When anchoring on a rocky or foul bottom, what precaution should be taken with the anchor? → Rig a 'trip line' attached to the crown of the anchor for retrieval
17. What tool is commonly used for plotting courses? → Parallel ruler
18. A hydrostatic release unit (HRU) for a life raft is designed to automatically release the raft under what condition? → When it is submerged to a depth of 1.5 to 4 meters
19. Which cloud type typically appears first ahead of an advancing warm front? → Cirrus
20. On a vessel's Plimsoll mark, the line marked with the letter 'W' indicates the maximum draft for which condition? → Winter salt water
21. You are part of an initial response team for a fire in the engine room. Which of the following actions should be prioritized to prevent the fire from spreading? → Shutting down fuel lines, stopping ventilation, and securing fire dampers.
22. Which of the following vessels is considered 'restricted in her ability to maneuver' under the Rules? → A vessel engaged in dredging operations.
23. What do 'isobars' represent on a weather chart? → Lines connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure
24. The 'wildcat' (also called a 'gypsy') on a windlass is: → A sprocketed drum designed to engage and drive the anchor chain
25. What is a bowline used for? → Forming a secure loop
26. Which of the following is required to be part of a vessel's Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) equipment locker? → Absorbent pads, containment booms, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
27. What action is taken during a man overboard drill? → Man overboard practice
28. You need to secure a mooring line to a standard horned cleat on the dock. Which of the following describes a key step in tying a proper cleat hitch? → Making one or more figure-eight turns around the horns
29. What is the function of a bitt? → Secure lines
30. What is the primary cause of advection (sea) fog? → Warm moist air flowing over cooler water