Pass Your Sailing Endorsement Exam

Master Coast Guard exam basics by learning sailing terminology—standing and running rigging, vessel types, sails, and points of sale—plus common questions; study tacking, jiving, and mooring maneuvers.

Explore essential sailing terminology and basic sail theory, including airfoil lift, rigging components (mast, keel, stays, shrouds), and center of effort concepts for maneuvering a Marconi-rigged vessel.

Review of sailing terminology and maneuvers, covering vessel types, rigging, reefing, points of sail, and common tacking and handling concepts for the endorsement exam.

Examine Rule 3 definitions for vessels, power driven versus sailing vessels, fishing gear, V ram, not under command, constrained by draft, and inland international distinctions.

Learn how to avoid collision under rule 8 by taking early, substantial, and readily apparent action, using large course changes or decisive speed adjustments in crossing situations.

Navigate rule 9 on narrow channels by understanding when vessels may impede, the 20 metres threshold, inland versus international sound signals, overtaking rules, and the bend signaling requirement.

Explore traffic separation schemes as ocean highways, with rules that still apply, and learn how to join or cross at shallow angles, navigate precautionary areas, and respect the separation zone.

Learn how to apply rule twelve for sailing vessels by identifying wind on port or starboard, distinguishing windward and leeward, and determining right of way.

Identify Rule 13 overtaking, using the 22.5-degree beam rule, and keep clear. Recognize any vessel may be overtaking, and the overtaking vessel must keep clear.

Apply rule 19 by managing vessels in restricted visibility, slow to bear steerage way, be ready to take all the way off, and use radar to avoid collision in fog.

Explains lighting rules for sailing vessels and vessels under oars, including side lights, stern light, masthead options, and red over green versus white lights.

Explore key sailing rules of the road through representative questions on power driven versus sailing vessels, maneuvering in narrow channels, stand-on and giveaway responsibilities, lights, shapes, and fog sound signals.

Explore sailing emergencies, including heavy weather, personnel casualties, and equipment failures, with exam-style questions and explanations to reinforce correct answers for the endorsement exam.

Reef your sails to lower the center of effort and slow down in heavy weather. Clip into windward lifelines, close hatches, and practice heaving to to stabilize the vessel.

Relieve pressure on a broken stay by orienting the vessel and heading into the wind, then rig emergency repairs using a self-steering vane or trailing lines to hold course.

Master heavy weather safety and procedures for small sailing vessels, including anchor line selection, heaving to, reefing, and capsized recovery. Learn man overboard recovery, windward pickup, and lee shore awareness.

Conclude your journey by practicing Coast Guard sailing endorsement exam questions and scheduling your regional exam center visit to sit the test; keep sailing as a lifelong hobby.