How Good of a Captain are You?
Everyone thinks they have what it
takes to become a licensed Captain. Do you? Well let’s give it a quick shot. Below
are three questions from the Coast Guard License exam. As is usually the case with
those Coast Guard guys, sometimes there is more than one correct answer.
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Which Captain are you? Cap’n Crunch or Cap’n Fantastic? |
Rules of the Road
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1.
Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore
and aft centerline of the vessel?
a)
A 16-meter sailing vessel
b)
A 25-meter power-driven vessel
c)
d)
Any non-self-propelled vessel
Navigation General
2.
You are enroute to
N’ly wind blowing. As you cross the
axis of the
a)
Cirrus clouds
b)
Smoother seas and warmer water
c)
Steeper waves closer together
d)
Long swells
Deck Safety
3.
What does the helm command “shift the rudder” mean?
1.
Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes
2.
Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now
3.
Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method
4.
Stop the swing of the ship
Got your answers? Well let’s see.
Answers
1.
The correct answer is A.
According to Rule 25b.
In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the
[sidelights and 
may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the
top of the mast where it can best be seen.
2.
The correct answer is C. It doesn’t
really matter where you’re headed in the
Anytime the wind is blowing against the current, you can expect higher waves
close together. Since the
Stream
have wind against the tide. And “fresh”
describes winds blowing 19-24 MPH, which is strong enough to give you steeper waves.
3.
The correct answer is B.
Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees
it is now. This tactic is used when turning
a single screw vessel in close quarters, sort of like a 3 point turn in your car.
So how did you do? Let us know by commenting below!