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US Sailing Offshore Passage Making Certification EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
US Sailing Offshore Passage Making Certification Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Prerequisites – ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 (Celestial Navigation) or
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement are required .
2. Passage Requirements – The passage must be a minimum of 600 nautical miles with at
least 250 nautical miles sailed at least 50 nautical miles offshore .
3. Skipper Duties – Each candidate must serve in the capacity of skipper for a minimum of
100 nautical miles during the qualifying passage .
4. Vessel & Conditions – The exam is conducted on 35’ or larger cruising keelboats in open
ocean waters with a wind speed of at least 15 knots .
5. Weather Planning – Requires comprehensive knowledge of global weather patterns,
fronts, storms, squalls, gales, hurricanes, fog conditions, and GRIB file interpretation .
6. Navigation & Log – Maintain a continuous ship’s log with navigation entries, significant
events, and weather records; demonstrate proficiency in offshore navigation
techniques .
7. Heavy Weather Tactics – Demonstrate use of sea anchor/drogue, storm sails, heaving-
to, and running off in adverse conditions .
8. Emergency Preparedness – Simulate plans for fire, water intake, dismasting, medical
emergencies, and describe life raft survival and rescue procedures .
9. Communications – Be familiar with SSB radio operation and other long-range
communication methods .
10. CPR/First Aid – Valid CPR and First Aid certifications as recognized by the U.S. Coast
Guard are required before certification can be issued .
US Sailing Offshore Passage Making – 100 Practice Questions
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Question 1: According to US Sailing standards, what is the minimum length of the qualifying
passage for Offshore Passage Making certification?
A) 100 nautical miles
B) 250 nautical miles
C) 600 nautical miles
D) 1,000 nautical miles
Answer: C) 600 nautical miles
Rationale: The qualifying passage must be a minimum of 600 nautical miles . This is a significant
offshore passage designed to demonstrate the skills and endurance required for true blue-water
sailing.
Question 2: What is the prerequisite certification required before taking the US Sailing Offshore
Passage Making course?
A) ASA 101 only
B) ASA 103 and 104
C) ASA 105, 106, and Coastal Passage Making
D) ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 or ASA 117
Answer: D) ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 or ASA 117
Rationale: The prerequisites for Offshore Passage Making certification are ASA 101, 103, 104,
105, 106, and either ASA 107 (Celestial Navigation) or ASA 117 (Basic Celestial Endorsement) .
, Page 3 of 125
Question 3: How many nautical miles must each candidate serve as skipper during the
qualifying passage?
A) 50 nautical miles
B) 100 nautical miles
C) 150 nautical miles
D) 250 nautical miles
Answer: B) 100 nautical miles
Rationale: During the qualifying passage, each candidate must serve in the capacity of skipper
for a minimum of 100 nautical miles .
Question 4: What is the minimum distance that must be sailed at least 50 nautical miles
offshore?
A) 50 nautical miles
B) 100 nautical miles
C) 200 nautical miles
D) 250 nautical miles
Answer: D) 250 nautical miles
Rationale: The passage must include a minimum of 250 nautical miles sailed at least 50
nautical miles offshore .
, Page 4 of 125
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a prerequisite for US Sailing Offshore Passage Making
certification?
A) Valid CPR certification
B) First Aid certification
C) Coastal Passage Making certification
D) VHF radio license
Answer: D) VHF radio license
Rationale: Valid CPR and First Aid certifications as recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard are
required before certification can be issued . A VHF radio license is not listed as a prerequisite,
though familiarity with communication systems is required.
Question 6: What is the recommended minimum size of the vessel used for Offshore Passage
Making certification?
A) 25 feet
B) 30 feet
C) 35 feet
D) 45 feet
Answer: C) 35 feet
US Sailing Offshore Passage Making Certification EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
US Sailing Offshore Passage Making Certification Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Prerequisites – ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 (Celestial Navigation) or
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement are required .
2. Passage Requirements – The passage must be a minimum of 600 nautical miles with at
least 250 nautical miles sailed at least 50 nautical miles offshore .
3. Skipper Duties – Each candidate must serve in the capacity of skipper for a minimum of
100 nautical miles during the qualifying passage .
4. Vessel & Conditions – The exam is conducted on 35’ or larger cruising keelboats in open
ocean waters with a wind speed of at least 15 knots .
5. Weather Planning – Requires comprehensive knowledge of global weather patterns,
fronts, storms, squalls, gales, hurricanes, fog conditions, and GRIB file interpretation .
6. Navigation & Log – Maintain a continuous ship’s log with navigation entries, significant
events, and weather records; demonstrate proficiency in offshore navigation
techniques .
7. Heavy Weather Tactics – Demonstrate use of sea anchor/drogue, storm sails, heaving-
to, and running off in adverse conditions .
8. Emergency Preparedness – Simulate plans for fire, water intake, dismasting, medical
emergencies, and describe life raft survival and rescue procedures .
9. Communications – Be familiar with SSB radio operation and other long-range
communication methods .
10. CPR/First Aid – Valid CPR and First Aid certifications as recognized by the U.S. Coast
Guard are required before certification can be issued .
US Sailing Offshore Passage Making – 100 Practice Questions
, Page 2 of 125
Question 1: According to US Sailing standards, what is the minimum length of the qualifying
passage for Offshore Passage Making certification?
A) 100 nautical miles
B) 250 nautical miles
C) 600 nautical miles
D) 1,000 nautical miles
Answer: C) 600 nautical miles
Rationale: The qualifying passage must be a minimum of 600 nautical miles . This is a significant
offshore passage designed to demonstrate the skills and endurance required for true blue-water
sailing.
Question 2: What is the prerequisite certification required before taking the US Sailing Offshore
Passage Making course?
A) ASA 101 only
B) ASA 103 and 104
C) ASA 105, 106, and Coastal Passage Making
D) ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 or ASA 117
Answer: D) ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and either ASA 107 or ASA 117
Rationale: The prerequisites for Offshore Passage Making certification are ASA 101, 103, 104,
105, 106, and either ASA 107 (Celestial Navigation) or ASA 117 (Basic Celestial Endorsement) .
, Page 3 of 125
Question 3: How many nautical miles must each candidate serve as skipper during the
qualifying passage?
A) 50 nautical miles
B) 100 nautical miles
C) 150 nautical miles
D) 250 nautical miles
Answer: B) 100 nautical miles
Rationale: During the qualifying passage, each candidate must serve in the capacity of skipper
for a minimum of 100 nautical miles .
Question 4: What is the minimum distance that must be sailed at least 50 nautical miles
offshore?
A) 50 nautical miles
B) 100 nautical miles
C) 200 nautical miles
D) 250 nautical miles
Answer: D) 250 nautical miles
Rationale: The passage must include a minimum of 250 nautical miles sailed at least 50
nautical miles offshore .
, Page 4 of 125
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a prerequisite for US Sailing Offshore Passage Making
certification?
A) Valid CPR certification
B) First Aid certification
C) Coastal Passage Making certification
D) VHF radio license
Answer: D) VHF radio license
Rationale: Valid CPR and First Aid certifications as recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard are
required before certification can be issued . A VHF radio license is not listed as a prerequisite,
though familiarity with communication systems is required.
Question 6: What is the recommended minimum size of the vessel used for Offshore Passage
Making certification?
A) 25 feet
B) 30 feet
C) 35 feet
D) 45 feet
Answer: C) 35 feet
