SAMS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the SAMS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 SAMS Exam Format at a Glance
📚 SAMS Topics to Study (63)
✍️ Sample SAMS Questions & Answers
1. ABYC standard P-1 governs which system aboard recreational vessels?
ABYC P-1 covers installation of exhaust systems for marine engines, including requirements for wet and dry exhaust configurations.
2. Under 33 CFR Part 164, vessels over 1,600 gross tons on certain US waters are required to carry which navigation equipment?
33 CFR Part 164 requires certain larger vessels to carry navigation safety equipment including AIS transponders to improve collision avoidance.
3. When evaluating a sailboat's stability, which factor most directly relates to its resistance to capsizing?
A higher ballast-to-displacement ratio lowers the center of gravity and increases the righting moment, directly improving resistance to capsizing.
4. Which federal regulation governs the carriage of visual distress signals (VDS) on recreational vessels on coastal waters?
33 CFR Part 175 establishes equipment requirements for recreational vessels, including visual distress signals on coastal and offshore waters.
5. What is the primary purpose of the sea trial component in a pre-purchase marine survey?
A sea trial allows the surveyor to evaluate engines, transmissions, steering, navigation equipment, and other systems under actual operating loads and conditions.
6. Which of the following would be inspected by a Hull and Machinery Surveyor during a survey?
During a Hull and Machinery survey, the surveyor meticulously inspects the structural components of the vessel, with the condition of hull plating and framing being a critical focus. These elements are fundamental to the vessel's structural integrity and seaworthiness. The surveyor looks for signs of corrosion, damage, fatigue, or deformation that could compromise the vessel's safety and operational capability.