National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 7
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. On a small boat, which knot is best suited for attaching a line to the ring of an anchor? (A) Fisherman's bend o (B) Overhand knot o (C) Clove hitch o (D) Figure-eight knot If choice A is selected set score to 1. 2. The "rolling hitch" could be used to accomplish which task? o (A) Add strength to a weak spot in a line o (B) Join two lines of different sizes o (C) Join two lines of equal sizes (D) Act as a stopper to transfer a line under strain 3. Which describes yawing? (A) Veering from side to side on the end of the towline o (B) Jumping on the towline as the tow pitches o (C) Jumping on the towline as the tow slams into waves o (D) Corkscrew motion of the tow due to wave action If choice A is selected set score to 1. 4. Your vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. How can you reduce the danger of capsizing? (A) Rigging a sea anchor o (B) Constantly shifting the rudder o (C) Move all passengers to the stern o (D) Move all passengers to one side of the boat If choice A is selected set score to 1. 5. You are approaching a ship that is broken down and are preparing to take her in tow. BEFORE positioning your vessel to pass the towline, which action should you take? o (A) Secure the bitter end of the towing hawser to prevent loss if the tow is slipped o (B) Install chafing gear on the towline (C) Compare the rate of drift between the ships o (D) Have traveling lizards rigged to guide the towline while it is paid-out Page 2 of 7
6. A tow bridle is attached to the main tow hawser with which item? o (A) A tow hook o (B) A pelican hook o (C) A bight ring (D) A fishplate 7. You are towing a large barge on a hawser. Your main engine suddenly fails. What is the greatest danger? o (A) The tow will block the channel. (B) The tow will overrun tug. o (C) The tug and the tow will go aground. o (D) The tow will endanger other traffic. If choice B is selected set score to 1. 8. Which is TRUE of the "H" bitts used for towing? o (A) They must be positioned exactly at the bow of the towed vessel o (B) They must be Coast Guard approved o (C) They must be stamped with maximum working loads (D) They must be securely fastened to the vessel 9. You are underway in heavy weather and your bow is into the seas. Which action should you take to prevent pounding? o (A) Increase the speed of the vessel o (B) Secure all loose gear on your vessel (C) Decrease the speed of the vessel o (D) Put the seas on a 85 degree angle from the bow 10. Line is called "small stuff" if its circumference is less than which of the following? o (A) 3/4" o (B) 1" o (C) 1/2" (D) 1 3/4" Page 3 of 7
11. Which statement concerning an automatic towing engine is FALSE? o (A) It automatically maintains towline tension. (B) As tension on the hawser increases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine. o (C) As tension on the hawser decreases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine. o (D) It prolongs the life of the hawser by distributing chafing as the hawser is paid out and taken in. If choice B is selected set score to 1. 12. You are using tackle number 6 as shown in illustration D029DG below to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. Disregarding friction, what is the mechanical advantage of this rig? o (A) 11 o (B) 16 (C) 18 o (D) 24 13. You are on a ship that has broken down and are preparing to be taken in tow. You will use your anchor cable as part of the towline. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be just forward of your bow. o (B) The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be immediately astern of the towing vessel. o (C) The anchor cable should be led out through a chock, if possible, to avoid a sharp nip at the hawsepipe lip. (D) The strain of the tow is taken by the riding pawl, chain stopper, and anchor windlass brake. 14. Which statement describes the motion of a yawing tow? o (A) The tow snakes behind the tug o (B) The tow sheers to one side behind the tug and maintains a position in a line diagonal to the tug's forward movement o (C) The tow twists, sometimes violently, astern of the tug (D) All of the above Page 4 of 7
15. Why is the effect of ocean current usually more evident on a tug and tow than on a tug navigating independently? o (A) The current causes yawing o (B) The towline catches the current o (C) The current will offset the tow (D) The speed of the tug and tow is less 16. What is the effect of releasing the towline in a tripping situation? o (A) There is no effect other than relief. o (B) Yawing o (C) It frees the tug from its towing responsibilities. (D) It disconnects the capsizing force and allows the tug to recover from its list. 17. Which is the term given to a rope made of a combination of wire and fiber, known for its flexibility and elasticity? o (A) Preformed o (B) Lang lay o (C) Independent (D) Spring lay 18. When towing, what is the main reason for using a chain bridle on a wire hawser? o (A) It eliminates the necessity of a swivel. (B) It gives a spring effect to cushion the shock. o (C) It does not chafe. o (D) It makes for an easy connection. If choice B is selected set score to 1. 19. A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the towing line to you, where should you secure the line? o (A) At the stern o (B) To the base of the foremast (C) To the forwardmost bitts o (D) To the forward part of the deckhouse Page 5 of 7
20. When maneuvering a heavy barge up a wide channel with a tug, the tow may be most closely controlled by making up to the barge in which manner? o (A) Amidships, parallel to the barge o (B) With a short tow astern o (C) Nearly bow to bow, at a small angle (D) Nearly stern to stern, at a small angle to the barge Page 6 of 7
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D029DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 7 of 7