ASA 103 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Stemhead Fitting - Correct Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch - Correct Answers -A covered opening in the deck.
Transom - Correct Answers -The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit - Correct Answers -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 Answers -An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle - Correct Answers -The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is
mounted.
Cockpit locker - Correct Answers -Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
Emergency tiller - Correct Answers -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 Answers -A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or
area below.
Saloon - Correct Answers -The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining
room, and possibly extra sleeping quarters.
, Galley - Correct Answers -The kitchen on a boat.
V-berth - Correct Answers -The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine - Correct Answers -The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat.
Used also to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge - Correct Answers -The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump - Correct Answers -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 Answers -A fitting in the hull through which water can be
drawn in or discarded.
Seacock - Correct Answers -A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the
hull for saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
Ground tackle - Correct Answers -A group term for all gear used in anchoring a vessel:
anchor, chain, rode.
Windlass - Correct Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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.
CORRECT ANSWERS
Stemhead Fitting - Correct Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch - Correct Answers -A covered opening in the deck.
Transom - Correct Answers -The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit - Correct Answers -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 Answers -An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle - Correct Answers -The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is
mounted.
Cockpit locker - Correct Answers -Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
Emergency tiller - Correct Answers -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 Answers -A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or
area below.
Saloon - Correct Answers -The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining
room, and possibly extra sleeping quarters.
, Galley - Correct Answers -The kitchen on a boat.
V-berth - Correct Answers -The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine - Correct Answers -The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat.
Used also to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge - Correct Answers -The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump - Correct Answers -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 Answers -A fitting in the hull through which water can be
drawn in or discarded.
Seacock - Correct Answers -A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the
hull for saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
Ground tackle - Correct Answers -A group term for all gear used in anchoring a vessel:
anchor, chain, rode.
Windlass - Correct Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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.
