ASA 103 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Stemhead Fitting - CORRECT ANSWER -A stainless-steel fitting on the bow of a boat to which the
forestay and jib tack are attached, as well as the roller fairlead for the anchor rode.
Turnbuckle - CORRECT ANSWER -A mechanical fitting attached to the lower ends of stays, which
connects them to the chainplate, allowing for the standing rigging to be adjusted (tightened.)
Chainplate - CORRECT ANSWER -Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch - CORRECT ANSWER -A covered opening in the deck.
Transom - CORRECT ANSWER -The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit - CORRECT ANSWER -A cockpit that is high enough above the waterline that
any water that gets inside will drain overboard by gravity, through scuppers (drains) located in
the aft corner of the cockpit well.
Compass - CORRECT ANSWER -An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle - CORRECT ANSWER -The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is mounted.
Cockpit locker - CORRECT ANSWER -Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
,Emergency tiller - CORRECT ANSWER -On boats with wheel steering, a tiller that can be fitted to
the top of the rudder stock so the boat could be steered in the event the wheel-steering
mechanism fails.
Companionway - CORRECT ANSWER -A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or area
below.
Saloon - CORRECT ANSWER -The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining room, and
possibly extra sleeping quarters.
Galley - CORRECT ANSWER -The kitchen on a boat.
V- berth - CORRECT ANSWER -The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine - CORRECT ANSWER -The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat. Used also
to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge - CORRECT ANSWER -The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump - CORRECT ANSWER -A pump used to remove water from the bilge. Usually there is
an automatic (electric) bilge pump and a manual bilge pump on every boat.
Through-hull fitting - CORRECT ANSWER -A fitting in the hull through which water can be drawn
in or discarded.
Seacock - CORRECT ANSWER -A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the hull for
saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
, Ground tackle - CORRECT ANSWER -A group term for all gear used in anchoring a vessel: anchor,
chain, rode.
Windlass - CORRECT ANSWER -A winch used primarily for lifting and lowering an anchor.
Federally required equipment for a 33-foot recreational vessel equipped with an inboard diesel
engine. - CORRECT ANSWER -Boat registration certificate and hull numbers.
PFDs: one per person (type I, II or III) + one type IV.
Visual distress signals for day: distress flag and/or 3 smoke flares.
Visual distress signals for night: 3 red night flares.
Fire extinguishers: 2 B-I or 1 B-II.
Sound producing device: air horn (hand-held or mouth-blown.)
Navigation lights: sidelights, stern light, masthead light.
Placards: "Discharge of Oil Prohibited" placard and a "MARPOL" placard (Marine Pollution.)
Marine Sanitation Device: type I, II or III.
PFDs characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER -Type I=Offshore Life Jacket--most buoyant, will roll
unconscious person face-up.
Type II=Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest--foam vest MAY turn unconscious person face up.
Type III=Flotation Aide (Inland Use)--for light use, presumes a conscious person, more
comfortable than type I (used on waterski.)
Type IV=Throwable Device--not designed to be worn, but to be thrown to victim in water to
grasp until rescued. Ex: horseshoe buoys, life rings, floating cushions.
Type V=Special-Use Device--hybrid device such as hypothermia suits, inflatable life vests, etc.
ASA recommended safety equipment for a recreational sailing vessel. - CORRECT ANSWER -VHF
radio.
Cell phone.
ANSWERS
Stemhead Fitting - CORRECT ANSWER -A stainless-steel fitting on the bow of a boat to which the
forestay and jib tack are attached, as well as the roller fairlead for the anchor rode.
Turnbuckle - CORRECT ANSWER -A mechanical fitting attached to the lower ends of stays, which
connects them to the chainplate, allowing for the standing rigging to be adjusted (tightened.)
Chainplate - CORRECT ANSWER -Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch - CORRECT ANSWER -A covered opening in the deck.
Transom - CORRECT ANSWER -The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit - CORRECT ANSWER -A cockpit that is high enough above the waterline that
any water that gets inside will drain overboard by gravity, through scuppers (drains) located in
the aft corner of the cockpit well.
Compass - CORRECT ANSWER -An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle - CORRECT ANSWER -The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is mounted.
Cockpit locker - CORRECT ANSWER -Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
,Emergency tiller - CORRECT ANSWER -On boats with wheel steering, a tiller that can be fitted to
the top of the rudder stock so the boat could be steered in the event the wheel-steering
mechanism fails.
Companionway - CORRECT ANSWER -A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or area
below.
Saloon - CORRECT ANSWER -The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining room, and
possibly extra sleeping quarters.
Galley - CORRECT ANSWER -The kitchen on a boat.
V- berth - CORRECT ANSWER -The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine - CORRECT ANSWER -The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat. Used also
to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge - CORRECT ANSWER -The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump - CORRECT ANSWER -A pump used to remove water from the bilge. Usually there is
an automatic (electric) bilge pump and a manual bilge pump on every boat.
Through-hull fitting - CORRECT ANSWER -A fitting in the hull through which water can be drawn
in or discarded.
Seacock - CORRECT ANSWER -A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the hull for
saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
, Ground tackle - CORRECT ANSWER -A group term for all gear used in anchoring a vessel: anchor,
chain, rode.
Windlass - CORRECT ANSWER -A winch used primarily for lifting and lowering an anchor.
Federally required equipment for a 33-foot recreational vessel equipped with an inboard diesel
engine. - CORRECT ANSWER -Boat registration certificate and hull numbers.
PFDs: one per person (type I, II or III) + one type IV.
Visual distress signals for day: distress flag and/or 3 smoke flares.
Visual distress signals for night: 3 red night flares.
Fire extinguishers: 2 B-I or 1 B-II.
Sound producing device: air horn (hand-held or mouth-blown.)
Navigation lights: sidelights, stern light, masthead light.
Placards: "Discharge of Oil Prohibited" placard and a "MARPOL" placard (Marine Pollution.)
Marine Sanitation Device: type I, II or III.
PFDs characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER -Type I=Offshore Life Jacket--most buoyant, will roll
unconscious person face-up.
Type II=Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest--foam vest MAY turn unconscious person face up.
Type III=Flotation Aide (Inland Use)--for light use, presumes a conscious person, more
comfortable than type I (used on waterski.)
Type IV=Throwable Device--not designed to be worn, but to be thrown to victim in water to
grasp until rescued. Ex: horseshoe buoys, life rings, floating cushions.
Type V=Special-Use Device--hybrid device such as hypothermia suits, inflatable life vests, etc.
ASA recommended safety equipment for a recreational sailing vessel. - CORRECT ANSWER -VHF
radio.
Cell phone.
