ASA 103 - Review Topics

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

ASA 103 review topics cover core sailing knowledge required for certification. The material addresses cruising sailboat terminology and functions of major parts and systems, federal and ASA-recommended safety equipment, and safe procedures for securing gear, using PFDs, harnesses, tethering, and refueling. Navigation and weather topics include coastal terminology, tools, navigation chart use, magnetic effects, lee shore hazards, marine weather interpretation, and storm-related cloud recognition. Seamanship sections cover USCG navigation rules, maneuvering and signals, anchors and flags. Emergencies cover hypothermia stages, rescue from the water, fire prevention and extinguisher use, and immediate urgent response actions. Preliminaries and practical operations include life jacket donning in water, VHF radio checks, navigation light verification, harbor piloting, compass courses, engine inspection and safe operation, departure procedures, mooring handling, and bow anchoring in shallow conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Cruising Sailboat Terminology

Safety Equipment & Procedures

Navigation & Weather

Sail Plan

Seamanship

Emergencies

Preliminaries

Navigation

Under Power

Newport Beach SailiNg School ASA 103 Official Certification Log Book-review topicS Cruising Sailboat Terminology 1. Identify and describe the following cruising sailboat parts, areas, or systems and their functions: • Turnbuckle • Chainplate • Stemhead Fitting • Rudder Post • Transom • Compass • Binnacle • Cockpit Locker • Emergency Tiller • Saloon • Companionway • Galley • V-berth • Auxiliary Engine • Bilge • Bilge Pump • Seacock • Ground Tackle • Windlass • Hatch • Through-hull Fitting • Self-bailing Cockpit Safety Equipment & Procedures 1. List the federally required equipment for a 33-foot recreational vessel equipped with an inboard diesel engine. 2. Describe the characteristics and benefits of Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s), both Wearable (Life Jackets) and Throwable. 3. List the ASA recommended safety equipment fora recreational sailing vessel. 4. Describe ways to keep gear and equipment secure and in their proper location. 5. Describe the purpose and proper use of a safety harness and tether. 6. Describe safe refueling procedures for a vessel equipped with an outboard engine using gasoline or a diesel engine using diesel fuel. Navigation & Weather 1. Demonstrate understanding of basic coastal navigation terminology and practices, including • Essential navigator’s tools • Use of navigation charts and symbols • Depth soundings • Bottom types • Hazards • Aids to navigation • Latitude / Longitude • Determining magnetic direction • Measuring distance 2. Describe how to prevent undue magnetic influence on a compass. 3. Describe the dangers of, and how to avoid, a ‘lee shore.’ 4. Obtain and interpret marine weather information; describe the impact that present observations and forecasts may have on sailing plans for the next 6-12 hours. 5. Describe and identify Cumulonimbus clouds and what dangers they may signify. 6. Define ‘small craft advisory’ and ‘gale warning’and describe precautions to be taken for each. Sail Plan 1. Describe the appropriate sail combinations to carry under the following wind conditions: light (0-11 knots), moderate (12-19 knots), and heavy (20-33 knots) . 2. Describe the procedures for reducing sail using a roller furling jib and a mainsail reefing system. 3. Describe the benefits of, and procedures for, heaving-to. Seamanship Describe the primary responsibilities of skipper and crew. 1. For elements 2-9 describe, using diagrams as appropriate, the applicable rules for a 33-foot recreational sailing vessel, as found in the USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook: 2. Proceeding at a safe speed (Rule 6), determination of collision risk (Rule 7), and taking early and substantial action to avoid collision (Rule 8) . 3. Sailing vessels (Rule 12), overtaking (Rule 13), and power-driven vessels in head-on (Rule 14) and crossing (Rule 15) situations. 4. Give-way and Stand-on vessels (Rules 16 & 17) 5. Location, color and illumination angles of required navigation lights at anchor, under sail, and under power. 6. Actions to be taken when operating a vessel in restricted visibility such as fog or haze including adaptation of speed and use of sound signals. 7. Basic maneuvering and warning signals (short and prolonged whistle blasts) for inland waters. 8. Describe the appearance and purpose of the‘Diver Down’ and ‘Alpha’ flags. 9. Describe common anchor types, major considerations for anchorage selection, and proper scope for short term and overnight anchoring as well as storm conditions. Emergencies 1. Describe the three stages of hypothermia; name symptoms and treatment for each. 2. Describe two methods for getting a person out of the water and safely back on board the vessel. 3. Identify common sources and prevention of firesand/or explosions, as well as appropriate actions to be taken if these situations arise. Describe different types of fires and procedures for ope

FAQs

What sailboat parts and systems are covered under cruising terminology?

The review topics list major areas such as turnbuckles, chainplates, rudder post, transom components, compass and binnacle, cockpit locker, emergency tiller, saloon, companionway, galley, V-berth, auxiliary engine, bilge and bilge pump, seacock, ground tackle, windlass, hatches, through-hull fittings, and a self-bailing cockpit, including their functions.

Which safety equipment requirements are specified for a 33-foot recreational vessel?

The topics require listing federally required equipment for a 33-foot recreational vessel with an inboard diesel engine, plus describing personal flotation device (PFD) types and listing ASA-recommended safety equipment for a recreational sailing vessel.

What emergencies and urgent situations must be addressed?

The review includes describing the three stages of hypothermia with symptoms and treatment, methods to get a person safely back on board, fire and explosion sources with extinguisher operation, and immediate actions for situations such as flooding cabin water, failed steering, fouled propeller, rigging failures, dragging anchor, grounding, running aground under sail, and engine failure.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Callum