Question 4151 Deck General

The correct answer is A) beam to the wind. When a vessel is drifting in a locale with no current, it will naturally assume a beam-to-the-wind orientation. This is due to the vessel's tendency to align its broadside or beam to the direction of the wind, which is the path of least resistance. The wind striking the vessel's sides will cause it to weathervane or pivot until its beam is perpendicular to the wind direction, resulting in a beam-to-the-wind orientation. The other options are incorrect because: B) bow to the wind would require the vessel to actively maintain that heading, which is not the natural orientation in a no-current situation; C) with the wind on the quarter would be an unstable orientation that the vessel would not naturally assume; and D) stern to the wind is also an unnatural orientation for a drifting vessel in calm conditions.