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USCG Auxiliary Sail Practice Test

19 Auxiliary Sail questions from the National Maritime Center’s published sample exams for Any Deck Officer Endorsement, each with the NMC’s answer key. Questions that need an illustration, a chart or a reference book are left out.

4 of them come with the closest regulation or reference section, shown with the answer.

Take a quiz of 10 drawn at random, or read the 10 sample questions and answers below.

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10 sample Auxiliary Sail questions with answers

The same 10 on every visit. A related section is the closest match RegKnot found in the regulations and references; it is not part of the NMC’s answer key.

  1. Question 1 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    You are at the helm of a sailing vessel under sail on the starboard tack, close hauled, and you are instructed to "head up". Which action should you take?

    • A.Turn the wheel to port if you are steering with a wheel
    • B.Push the tiller to starboard if you are steering with a tiller
    • C.Turn the wheel to starboard if you are steering with a wheel (correct answer)
    • D.Hold a steady helm and allow the jib to luff

    Answer: C. Turn the wheel to starboard if you are steering with a wheel

    Further reading: Bowditch Art.1114 — Bowditch Ch.11 Piloting — 1114. The Piloting Routine

  2. Question 2 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    A sail plan should include the vessel's itinerary, name, number, and persons aboard. Who should this information initially be given to, prior to your departure?

    • A.The U.S. Customs
    • B.A responsible person (correct answer)
    • C.The local Coast Guard RCC
    • D.The FAA

    Answer: B. A responsible person

    Related regulation: 33 CFR 161.19 ↗ — Sailing Plan (SP)

  3. Question 3 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    Your 80-ton schooner is hove to on the starboard tack under storm trysail and fore-staysail in 45 knots of wind. Your heading is averaging about 000° true and the wind is from the northeast. There is a dangerous shoal bearing 270° true, range 5 miles. Which action would be appropriate?

    • A.You should tack or jibe to the port tack and make all possible headway to the south. (correct answer)
    • B.You need only stay alert for changes, as your present drift will carry you away from the danger.
    • C.You should strike all sails and get underway under bare poles, making as much way as possible to the north.
    • D.You should set a reefed foresail and strike the jib.

    Answer: A. You should tack or jibe to the port tack and make all possible headway to the south.

    Further reading: Bowditch Art.4015 — Bowditch Ch.40 Tropical Cyclones — 4015. Maneuvering to Avoid the Storm Center

  4. Question 4 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 220° relative would be in which situation?

    • A.On a broad reach (correct answer)
    • B.Close hauled on the starboard tack
    • C.Running before the wind
    • D.Close hauled on the port tack

    Answer: A. On a broad reach

    Further reading: Pub 1310 Ch.6 Sec.13 — Pub 1310 Ch.6 Maneuvering Board Manual — Desired Relative Wind

  5. Question 5 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    Which is TRUE about a sail when it has been reefed?

    • A.The sail area is increased
    • B.The sail area is widened
    • C.The sail area remains unchanged
    • D.The sail area is reduced (correct answer)

    Answer: D. The sail area is reduced

  6. Question 6 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    You are sailing on a close reach when a strong wind suddenly heels the vessel hard over. Which action should you take to reduce the heeling and yet maintain speed?

    • A.Haul in on the mainsheet and steer more towards the wind
    • B.Ease the mainsheet and bear more away from the wind (correct answer)
    • C.Haul in on the mainsheet and ease the jib sheet
    • D.Ease all sheets and bear more into the wind

    Answer: B. Ease the mainsheet and bear more away from the wind

  7. Question 7 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    Your vessel is sailing on a port tack when a sudden gust of wind heels the vessel sharply to starboard. Which action will reduce the heeling of the vessel?

    • A.Ease the sheets to allow air flow to spill off the sail
    • B.Shift weight to the port side of the vessel
    • C.Attempt to sail the vessel closer to the wind
    • D.Any of the above (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Any of the above

  8. Question 8 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    You are running before a rough sea and a strong wind. Your sailing vessel is yawing. Which term describes the situation if the wind should catch the mainsail on the reverse?

    • A.Broach
    • B.Tack
    • C.Jibe (correct answer)
    • D.Go in irons

    Answer: C. Jibe

  9. Question 9 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    What does a deep keel on a sailing vessel increase?

    • A.Resistance to lateral movement (correct answer)
    • B.Height of the center of gravity above the hull resulting in a more stable vessel
    • C.Length-depth ratio resulting in a faster hull design
    • D.Mast height to compensate for increased lateral resistance

    Answer: A. Resistance to lateral movement

  10. Question 10 · Any Deck Officer Endorsement

    One of the sailboat's crew has just fallen overboard. Which is the most efficient way to stop the vessel to recover the victim?

    • A.Head the vessel downwind
    • B.Trim in the mainsheet
    • C.Head the vessel into the wind (correct answer)
    • D.Ease out the mainsheet

    Answer: C. Head the vessel into the wind

Exams these questions come from

  • Any Deck Officer Endorsement19 questions

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The questions and answer keys are from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center’s published sample exams. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. A practice score does not predict your exam result; check the NMC for current exam requirements.