National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Q136 Deck General (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 19
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. A gas-free certificate would usually be issued by a(n). o (A) port engineer (B) certified marine chemist o (C) ABS marine surveyor o (D) Coast Guard marine inspector 2. Which method requires prior approval to be used when cleaning up an oil spill? (A) Chemical agents o (B) Sorbent booms o (C) Skimmers o (D) Suction equipment 3. When the period of beam seas equals the natural rolling period of a vessel, what will most likely occur? (A) Excessive rolling o (B) Excessive pitching o (C) Excessive yawing o (D) No change should be evident 4. When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the FIRST action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open? o (A) Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose. o (B) Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor. (C) Order the dock man to shut down. o (D) Trip the pump relief valve. Page 2 of 19
5. You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are shown in illustration D035DG below. What is the transfer for a turn of 60? (A) 105 yards o (B) 155 yards o (C) 205 yards o (D) 255 yards 6. When anchoring a vessel under normal conditions, which scope of chain is recommended? o (A) Two and one-half times the depth of water o (B) Fifteen times the depth of water (C) Five to seven times the depth of water o (D) Four times the depth of water 7. Which is the length of a standard "shot" of anchor chain? o (A) 12 fathoms (B) 15 fathoms o (C) 18 fathoms o (D) 20 fathoms 8. Which is an explosion hazard when exposed to flame? o (A) Tallow (B) Toluene o (C) Formic acid o (D) Nitrous oxide 9. Which statement about entering into a tank which has been sealed for a long time is TRUE? o (A) The tank need not be tested for oxygen content if it is ventilated for more than 24 hours. (B) The tank must be tested at frequent intervals to ensure that hazardous gasses have not regenerated. o (C) If the oxygen content tests at less than 12% you should wear an approved gas mask. o (D) The tank should be tested only once to ensure the oxygen content is at least 14% before entry. Page 3 of 19
10. Where would you find a list of the lifesaving equipment onboard your supply boat? o (A) U.S. Coast Guard Regulations o (B) Ship's Articles o (C) Muster List ("Station Bill") (D) Certificate of Inspection 11. Static electricity may be built up by the. o (A) spraying or splashing of petroleum o (B) flow of petroleum through pipes o (C) settling of solids or water in petroleum (D) All of the above 12. Using illustration D058DG below, which of the figures protects the stress bearing end of a wire rope from being crushed while forming a temporary eye splice using wire rope clips? o (A) B. (B) C. o (C) A. o (D) All the above. 13. When instructing a crew member concerning the right way to lift a weight, how should you instruct him/her? (A) Bend his knees and lift with his legs o (B) Arch the back to add strength to the muscles o (C) Bend his back and stoop with arms straight o (D) Bend his back and stoop 14. When loading a tanker, you should. (A) Close valves by closing them down, reopening one or two turns, and re-closing o (B) Keep the seamen on watch on standby in the messroom o (C) Keep a strain on the loading hoses o (D) Load only one tank at a time Page 4 of 19
15. What is the period of validity of a Safety Management Certificate? (A) 60 months o (B) 48 months o (C) 42 months o (D) 36 months 16. When inspecting ground tackle, where are fractures most frequently found? o (A) The anchor shank (B) The end links o (C) The flukes o (D) The swivel 17. What can be done to prevent small oil spills on deck from going overboard? o (A) Plugging the sounding pipes o (B) Closing the lids on the vents (C) Plugging the drains and scuppers o (D) Driving wooden plugs into the vents 18. The most likely time for oil pollution while bunkering is when. (A) final topping off is occurring o (B) first starting to receive fuel o (C) hoses are being blown down o (D) hoses are disconnected and being capped 19. U.S. regulations require cargo pump rooms, on tank vessels handling grades A, B, or C liquid cargo, shall be equipped with power ventilation of the exhaust type. in what amount of time should the ventilation effect a complete change of air? o (A) not more than 1 minute o (B) not more than 2 minutes (C) not more than 3 minutes o (D) not more than 5 minutes Page 5 of 19
20. Which is the Best way to reduce your wake in a narrow channel? o (A) Change your course to a zigzag course o (B) Shift the weight to the stern o (C) Apply enough rudder to counter the effect of the current (D) Reduce your speed 21. Your vessel is taking on cargo oil when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. Before you resume pumping, you should. o (A) place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers (B) replace the hose o (C) repair the hose with a patch o (D) notify the terminal superintendent 22. Tank vessel inerting refers to. o (A) the introduction of inert gas into a gas free tank for the purpose of reducing the oxygen content to below 8% by volume o (B) the introduction of inert gas into a cargo tank during cargo discharge to replace the volume of discharged cargo o (C) the introduction of inert gas into a tank with the object of reducing the oxygen content to below 8% by volume (D) All of the above 23. If you observe any situation which presents a safety or pollution hazard during fuel transfer operations, what action should you take FIRST? o (A) Sound the fire alarm o (B) Notify the person in charge of the shore facility (C) Shut down the transfer operation o (D) Close the valves at the transfer manifold 24. Which is an example of failure to exercise due diligence? (A) Overloading o (B) Sailing with less than 30% reserve fuel oil supply o (C) Sailing short of union manning requirements o (D) Sailing short of being full and down Page 6 of 19
25. You are heading into the sea during rough weather. What may happen if there is too much weight forward in your small boat? o (A) The craft will list severely (B) The craft may plunge into the wave o (C) The craft will broach o (D) The craft will rise rapidly over the wave 26. Under Annex V to MARPOL 73/78, food garbage discharged from vessels outside a special area, that are located between 3 and 6 nautical miles from nearest land must be ground to less than which of the following dimensions? (A) 1" o (B) 1-1/4" o (C) 1-1/2" o (D) 2" 27. Which term is give to the placing a lashing across a hook to prevent a fitting from slipping out of the hook? o (A) Flemishing down o (B) Worming (C) Mousing o (D) Faking 28. What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter B in illustration D003DG below? o (A) Timber summer load line o (B) Tropical load line o (C) Summer load line (D) Tropical fresh water load line Page 7 of 19
29. You are in the process of loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 1030, on 5 November, you gauge the vessel and find that you have loaded 203,000 barrels. At 1200 you find that you have loaded 218,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately. o (A) 1510, 5 November o (B) 1104, 6 November (C) 1242, 6 November o (D) 0735, 7 November 30. Which part of an anchor actually digs into the bottom? o (A) Shank (B) Fluke o (C) Stock o (D) Crown 31. 33 CFR 156 deals with matters concerning which of the following topics? (A) Oil and hazardous material transfer operations o (B) Lifesaving and firefighting equipment o (C) Operation of nautical school ships o (D) Vessel construction and design 32. During transfer operations, a quantity of propylamine spills on deck. According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is the correct reaction? (A) add sodium bisulfate on the contaminated surface and spray it down with water o (B) move to a position upwind of the spill and allow the product to boil off o (C) immediately flush the spill with large quantities of fresh water o (D) cover the contaminated surface with soda-ash-soaked lime solution 33. You are loading a cargo tank on your container ship. The tank displays the red label as shown in illustration D023DG below. Which statement is TRUE? (A) The tank contains propylene. o (B) The tank's volume is 1077 cubic feet. o (C) The tank contains an oxidizing material. o (D) There are three tanks in the shipment. Page 8 of 19
34. What is the Reid vapor pressure of allyl chloride? o (A) 16.5 (psia) o (B) 14.0 (psia) o (C) 12.9 (psia) (D) 10.3 (psia) 35. Ice concentration is measured in tenths. What concentration range of ice corresponds to "Open Pack"? o (A) < 1 tenth o (B) 1-3 tenths (C) 4-6 tenths o (D) 7-8 tenths 36. Which trait makes Nylon line dangerous? o (A) Nylon line breaks down when wet (B) Nylon line can stretch 40 percent o (C) Nylon line is not elastic o (D) Nylon line kinks when wet 37. Your vessel is running in a following sea. Which term defines the motion your vessel is experiencing? (A) Yawing o (B) Heaving to o (C) Pounding o (D) Reduced speed 38. Fuel oil tank vents are fitted with a screen which will stop. (A) flames on deck from entering the tank vent o (B) oil from flowing out of the tank vent o (C) air from entering the tank vent o (D) vapors from leaving the tank vent Page 9 of 19
39. While discharging a tanker, list can be controlled by. o (A) using the after peak tank, loading as necessary o (B) using a center tank near the bow, discharging as necessary (C) using wing tanks near the longitudinal center, discharging as necessary o (D) shoreside personnel 40. How many months after its expiration date may a Coast Guard credential be renewed without retaking the complete exam? o (A) 1 month o (B) 6 months (C) 12 months o (D) 24 months 41. Which term defines the process of dividing the total volume of the ship in cubic feet (after omission of exempted spaces) by 100? o (A) Light displacement (B) Gross tonnage o (C) Net tonnage o (D) Bale cubic 42. Which single-letter signal, when used by icebreakers on the Great Lakes, may be made by using the ship's whistle? o (A) E o (B) I (C) M o (D) None 43. Where is a permanently installed system of gas detection required? o (A) Air locks. o (B) Cargo compressor rooms. o (C) Cargo pump rooms. (D) All of the above. Page 10 of 19
44. What is the knot at the end of the heaving line used to pass the towing hawser called? (A) Monkey's fist o (B) Three strand Turk's head o (C) Ball or baseball knot o (D) Heaving knot 45. Which statement defines the term "gross tonnage" (A) The vessel's approximate volume less certain exempt spaces o (B) The weight of a grossly overloaded vessel o (C) The weight of a vessel with all tanks full o (D) The weight of the vessel measured in long tons 46. Which is a solid at ambient temperature? o (A) Formic acid o (B) Methyl chloride (C) Naphthalene o (D) Aniline 47. What form of ice is of land origin? o (A) Floe (B) Bergy bit o (C) Spicule o (D) Shuga 48. When an azimuth of the Sun has been taken and the deviation of the standard magnetic compass computed, the watch officer should record the results. (A) in the compass deviation log o (B) in the vessel's Official Logbook o (C) on the compass deviation card o (D) on a Napier diagram Page 11 of 19
49. According to the Chemical Data Guide, which extinguishing agent is NOT recommended for use on a retinol fire? (A) Water spray o (B) CO2 o (C) Dry chemical o (D) Foam 50. What is a CORRECT reply to a pilot's request, "How's your head"? o (A) "Eased to 10 rudder" o (B) "Checked" (C) "Passing 50 " o (D) "Steady" 51. You are ordering ship's stores. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) Cylinders containing compressed gasses must be constructed and tested in accordance with the Bureau of Standards. o (B) All stores of line, rags, linens and other similar type stores must be certified by UL as being fire retardant. o (C) All distress flares when received must be stored in the portable magazine chest. (D) Up to five gallons of a flammable liquid may be stowed in the engine room. 52. Your vessel is taking on fuel when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. Before you resume pumping, you should. (A) replace the hose o (B) notify the terminal superintendent o (C) repair the hose with a patch o (D) place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers 53. In the United States, which organization sets the load line markings? o (A) Federal Maritime Board (B) American Bureau of Shipping o (C) Coast Guard o (D) IMO Page 12 of 19
54. Which certificate is issued by the American Bureau of Shipping? o (A) Permit to Proceed for repairs o (B) Certificate of Inspection o (C) Safety Equipment Certificate (D) Load Line Certificate 55. During loading, what is the minimum pressure required to be maintained by the inert gas system on cargo tanks? o (A) 2" water gauge (B) 4" water gauge o (C) 20" water gauge o (D) 40" water gauge 56. What is the required access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grades C or D liquid cargo? o (A) from within the vessel o (B) only from enclosed areas free from sources of vapor ignition o (C) from areas equipped with power ventilation (D) from the open deck 57. In cleaning up an oil spill, which term depicts the main function of straw? (A) It acts as a sorbent o (B) It acts as a blocker o (C) It acts as a chemical agent o (D) None of the above 58. You are planning the stowage of two incompatible products on your multiple-product tankship. What will NOT provide the minimum required segregation? o (A) Tank containing a third cargo compatible with the other two (B) Solid (non-intercostal) bulkhead o (C) Empty tank o (D) Diagonally adjacent tanks Page 13 of 19
59. The flash point of vinyl chloride is. (A) -108 F (-78 C) o (B) 32 F (0 C) o (C) 97 F (36 C) o (D) -20 F (-29 C) 60. When is the effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel most noticeable? o (A) When going slow ahead (B) When backing o (C) When turning o (D) When going full ahead 61. Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed at night while bunkering at a dock? (A) One red light o (B) One red light over a yellow light o (C) One red light over a white light o (D) Two red lights 62. What limits the maximum theoretical stress that can be developed on a guy in a yard and stay rig? o (A) The position of the guy o (B) The location of the boom o (C) The weight of the load (D) The lifting capacity of the winch 63. What is the period of validity of a Merchant Mariner Credential? o (A) 2 years (B) 5 years o (C) 3 years o (D) 1 year Page 14 of 19
64. Every entry required to be made in the Official Logbook shall be signed. Who is required to sign the this logbook? (A) Master and Chief Mate or other member of the crew o (B) Master only o (C) Mate on watch o (D) Purser, one of the Mates, and some other member of the crew 65. As a general rule, how will your vessel lie when it is drifting in a locale where there is no current? o (A) The bow to the wind (B) The beam to the wind o (C) The stern to the wind o (D) With the wind on the quarter 66. Which international body is responsible for drafting the convention prohibiting marine pollution (MARPOL)? (A) The International Maritime Organization o (B) The International Association of Shipping o (C) The Maritime Advisory Council o (D) The Association of Seafaring Nations 67. When must a proper look-out must be kept? o (A) only between the hours of sunset and sunrise o (B) only when entering and leaving port o (C) only in fog (D) at all times Page 15 of 19
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D003DG 5/20/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 16 of 19
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D023DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 17 of 19
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D035DG 6/2/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 18 of 19
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D058DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 19 of 19