Coast Guard Navigation and Seamanship Flashcards

A sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel are on a collision course in open water; which is normally the stand-on vessel?

Answer: The sailing vessel

A power-driven vessel generally must keep clear of a sailing vessel, making the sailboat the stand-on vessel.

What is the purpose of a vessel's freeboard?

Answer: The height of hull above the waterline for buoyancy reserve

Freeboard is the distance from the waterline to the deck edge, providing reserve buoyancy against swamping.

Which navigational method estimates present position from a known past position using course, speed, and time?

Answer: Dead reckoning

Dead reckoning projects position forward from a known point using heading, speed, and elapsed time.

A yellow buoy on U.S. waters generally marks what?

Answer: A special area such as anchorage or dredging

Yellow buoys mark special areas like anchorages, dredging zones, or traffic separation.

What action reduces the risk of capsizing when caught in heavy following seas?

Answer: Adjusting speed to avoid surfing down wave faces

Matching speed to the seas prevents dangerous surfing and broaching in a following sea.

The prolonged blast of a whistle lasts approximately how long?

Answer: Four to six seconds

A prolonged blast is defined as lasting from four to six seconds.

When a person falls overboard, what is the immediate first action for the helmsman?

Answer: Shout 'man overboard,' point, and turn toward the victim

Raising the alarm, keeping the victim in sight, and maneuvering back are the immediate priorities.