National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 17
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. Which term defines the strainer at the bottom of a bilge suction pipe to prevent clogging? (A) Rose box o (B) Bellmouth o (C) Flange o (D) Pipe cap 2. What imminent danger results from tripping? o (A) Your tug being pulled backwards by your tow o (B) The barge(s) collide with the stern (C) Capsizing your tug o (D) The stern of the tug submerges causing flooding into engine room 3. You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 550 yards and your vessel's LOA is 449 feet. If you anchor in 9 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle? o (A) 6 shots o (B) 5 shots (C) 4 shots o (D) 3 shots 4. You are docking a vessel. When are the wind and current most favorable in this situation? o (A) When they are both setting you on the pier o (B) When they are crossing your course, in opposite directions to the other (C) When they are both parallel to the pier from ahead o (D) When they are crossing your course, both in the same direction 5. When discharging cargo from a tank barge, in which case may the cargo pass through or over the towing vessel? o (A) When off-loading grade C cargo o (B) With permission from the person in charge of the towing vessel o (C) With permission from the person in charge of the shore facility (D) In no case Page 2 of 17
6. Which statement is TRUE when an anchor is used to assist in turning the vessel in restricted waters? o (A) This technique should only be used as a last resort o (B) Having to use the aid of an anchor is the sign of a novice shiphandler (C) Deploying the anchor underfoot shifts the pivot point forward o (D) Turning on the anchor is to be used only with a single-screw vessel 7. Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2206 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo? (A) Isocyanates, n.o.s. o (B) Hexanols o (C) Propadiene, inhibited o (D) Xylenol 8. 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 9. On the cargo manifest, which term is used to describe the weight of the cargo inside a box? o (A) Rate weight o (B) Gross weight (C) Net weight o (D) Light weight 10. The static bollard pull of a tug is measured in tons and consists of the brake horsepower of the tug's engine divided by 100 and multiplied by which factor? o (A) 0.5 (B) 1.3 o (C) 3.0 o (D) 10 Page 3 of 17
11. While towing astern, how can sudden shock-loading caused during heavy weather be reduced? (A) Increase the length of the hawser o (B) Using a short tow hawser o (C) Use of a nonelastic type hawser o (D) Decreasing the catenary in the hawser 12. You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of ethanolamine, methyl acrylate, and glycerine. Which statement is true? o (A) Methyl acrylate and ethanolamine are compatible but both must be segregated from glycerine. o (B) All of these cargoes are mutually incompatible. (C) Glycerine is compatible with both of the other cargoes. o (D) Glycerine may be stowed adjacent to methyl acrylate but must be segregated from ethanolamine. 13. Which knot in illustration D030DG below represents a single becket bend? o (A) E o (B) F o (C) G (D) H 14. 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. 15. You are on watch at night in clear visibility and the vessel has just been anchored. What is the first thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go? (A) Take bearings to obtain ship's position o (B) Lower the accommodation ladder and illuminate it o (C) Turn off the running lights and turn on the anchor lights o (D) Stop the engines Page 4 of 17
16. According to Pollution Prevention Regulations (33CFR), who is required to sign each completed page in the Oil Record Book? o (A) An oil terminal representative o (B) Coast Guard representative designated by COTP (C) The master o (D) The person(s) in charge of the operation 17. When more than one vessel is being assisted by an icebreaker, distances between vessels should be constant. Which signal should be given by a vessel which is ahead of another and whose speed suddenly begins to drop? (A) A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "5" o (B) Four short blast on the whistle o (C) A flag hoist consisting of the code letters "FE" (Foxtrot-Echo) o (D) A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "4" 18. Safety goggles or glasses are NOT normally worn during which task? (A) Handling wire rope or natural fiber line o (B) Using a rotary grinder with an installed shield o (C) Letting go the anchor o (D) Painting with a spray gun 19. Fire protection regulations for towing vessels require that drills be conducted on board the vessel as if there were an actual emergency. Drills include all of the following, EXCEPT which item? o (A) Testing all alarm and detection systems o (B) Breaking out and using the vessel's emergency equipment (C) Participation by selected crew members o (D) One person putting on protective clothing, if the vessel is so equipped 20. Providing you are not in a special area, such as the Mediterranean or Red Sea, how many nautical miles from land must you be to throw wooden dunnage into the sea? o (A) 3 nm o (B) 6 nm o (C) 12 nm (D) It is prohibited to discharge dunnage into the sea Page 5 of 17
21. What purpose does a tow hook serve? o (A) To prevent the towing hawser from fouling the propeller o (B) To recover the towing hawser from a barge o (C) To help pick up the towing hawser from the water (D) To quickly connect or release the towing hawser 22. Which towing equipment can be used to prevent the tripping of a tug? o (A) Chafing boards (B) Gob ropes o (C) Drogues o (D) Bridles 23. Which flash point would indicate a grade D combustible liquid? o (A) 40 F (B) 95 F o (C) 79 F o (D) 155 F 24. According to the regulations, what fire safety control feature is required in quick-closing shut off valves? o (A) Electrical cut off switch o (B) A water spray actuator (C) A fusible link o (D) Manual cut off switch 25. In general, an un-reinforced vessel can safely navigate in ice provided the concentration does not exceed how many tenths? o (A) 9-10 tenths o (B) 6-8 tenths o (C) 4-6 tenths (D) 1-3 tenths Page 6 of 17
26. What affect does shallow water have on a vessel's stopping distance? o (A) There is no difference in the stopping distance. o (B) The stopping distance is shorter. (C) The stopping distance is longer. o (D) The propeller is more effective when going astern in shallow water. 27. What is the purpose of a "check" line? (A) A line used to slow the headway of a barge o (B) A safety line attached to a man working over the side o (C) A line used to measure the overhead height of a bridge o (D) A line used to measure water depth 28. What is the name given to a smooth, tapered pin, usually of wood, used to open up the strands of a rope for splicing? o (A) Bench hook o (B) Awl (C) Fid o (D) Batten 29. In accordance with U.S. regulations which of the following is the proper label name for a class 4.3 substance? o (A) Spontaneously combustible o (B) Flammable solid o (C) Flammable liquid (D) Dangerous when wet 30. If your JP-5 barge has operated in salt water for less than 1 month in the 12 month period since it was last dry-docked, when is it required to be hauled out again? (A) 60 months since last dry-docking o (B) 36 months since last dry-docking o (C) 24 months since last dry-docking o (D) 12 months since last dry-docking Page 7 of 17
31. When you enter shallow water, which describes your vessel's rudder response and speed variations? o (A) The response will improve and your speed will increase o (B) The response will improve and your speed will decrease o (C) The response will be sluggish and your speed will increase (D) The response will be sluggish and your speed will decrease 32. What equipment is NOT used to protect a towing hawser? o (A) Seizing wire, rope yarn and marline o (B) Hawser boards and chafing gear o (C) Norman pins and tow spans (D) Halyards and snap hooks 33. Where should towlines be inspected for chafing? o (A) Areas as it passes through chocks o (B) Areas where it is attached to the disabled vessel o (C) Areas where it passes over the stern of the towing vessel (D) All of the above 34. Fire protection regulations for towing vessels allow you to use a nonmetallic flexible hose in fuel line installations EXCEPT under which condition? o (A) When used in lengths of not more than 30 inches (B) When it is fitted with Coast Guard approved garden hose fittings o (C) When it is reinforced with wire braid o (D) It is visible and easily accessible 35. Which safety check(s) should be made before letting go the anchor? o (A) See that the wildcat is disengaged. o (B) See that the anchor is clear of obstructions. o (C) See that the chain is all clear. (D) All of the above Page 8 of 17
36. According to MARPOL Annex V and 33 CFR, how is garbage containing plastic permitted to be disposed of? o (A) Grinding to less than 1" and discharging at least 25 nautical miles from nearest land o (B) Grinding to less than 1" and discharging at least 12 nautical miles from nearest land o (C) Discharging when at least 12 nautical miles from nearest land (D) Incinerating offshore 37. Which personal lifesaving device(s) is(are) approved for use on an uninspected towboat 150 feet in length? o (A) Buoyant vest or cushion (B) Life preserver o (C) Special purpose safety device o (D) All of the above 38. When backing down with sternway, where will the pivot point of a vessel be located? o (A) The pivot point will be about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow o (B) The pivot point will shift to the bow o (C) The pivot point will be aft of the propellers (D) The pivot point will be about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern 39. Your vessel is carrying 84,000 barrels of oil for discharge. The cargo hoses have an inside diameter of 14 inches. When four hoses are connected to the manifold, the container around the manifold must hold at a minimum how many barrels? o (A) Three (B) Four o (C) Twelve o (D) Sixteen 40. The final inspection responsibility for seeing that a tank barge is provided with the required equipment and fittings in good and serviceable condition prior to loading cargo rests with the. o (A) charterer through the Master of the towing vessel o (B) terminal operator o (C) owner of the barge (D) tankerman or person in charge of loading Page 9 of 17
41. When are Operators of Uninspected Passenger Vessels required to keep their Coast Guard credential aboard their vessel? (A) only when carrying passengers for hire o (B) only when operating more than one mile from shore o (C) only when operating at night o (D) At all times 42. Which is an example of synchronous towing? o (A) The tug is in the trough while the tow is riding on the crest of a wave o (B) The tug is on the crest of a wave while the tow is in the trough (C) The tug and tow are both in the same relative position on different waves at the same time o (D) The port and starboard engines on the tug are turning at the same RPM 43. Which best defines the term Dead freight? o (A) The carriage of demise cargo (B) The difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo booked, through no fault of the vessel o (C) The cost of transshipment of over-carried cargo o (D) The difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo discharged 44. In illustration D024DG below, what is the purpose of item "G"? (A) To prevent the knee from shifting when the rudder is put hard over o (B) To prevent the towboat from capsizing if item I should part o (C) To distribute the vessel's thrust over a wider area o (D) To keep the barges from shifting fore and aft 45. When is a vessel tide rode? o (A) When the vessel is being forced off of a pier by the hydraulic effect of the current (B) When the vessel is at anchor and stemming the current o (C) When the vessel is carrying extra rudder to compensate for the current o (D) When it is necessary to adjust the course steered to allow for the current Page 10 of 17
46. Cargo tanks on barges fitted with goose neck vents and flame screens are limited to carrying which grade of cargo? o (A) A and below o (B) B and below o (C) C and below (D) D and E only 47. 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 48. Which may indicate the proximity of pack ice? o (A) Rapid changes in seawater salinity o (B) Frequent changes in air temperature (C) White glare on clouds on the horizon o (D) Icebergs 49. What accident situation is considered a Serious Marine Incident? o (A) An injury to a crewmember that renders that person unfit to continue working on the vessel o (B) Damage to property in excess of $100,000 o (C) A discharge of 10,000 gallons or more of oil into navigable waters of the U.S. (D) All of the above 50. Which is the most effective method for towing and maneuvering on rivers and other restricted waters where wave action is limited? o (A) Towing on the hip o (B) Towing alongside and parallel to the vessel it is towing (C) Directly astern and pushing the tow o (D) Towing on a hawser Page 11 of 17
51. The remote control for a fixed fire extinguishing system, on an uninspected vessel, should be which of the following? (A) Labeled in red letters 2 inches high o (B) Protected by plexiglass o (C) Concealed from the crew o (D) The valves shall be padlocked 52. On uninspected vessels which statement is TRUE concerning work vests? o (A) They may be substituted for up to 10% of the required lifesaving gear aboard. (B) They must be stowed separately from approved life preservers. o (C) They need not be of an approved type. o (D) They may be worn during drills. 53. When inspecting ground tackle, where are fractures most frequently found? o (A) The swivel o (B) The anchor shank o (C) The flukes (D) The end links 54. When towing astern what equipment should be stowed ready for use near the towline? o (A) Fire extinguisher o (B) First aid kit o (C) Chafing gear (D) Axe or cutting torch 55. In some cases, the 50% duty on all foreign repairs made to American flag merchant vessels may be remitted. Which work does NOT come under the remitting policy of U.S. Customs? o (A) Repairs due to damage done by heavy weather (B) Chipping, painting, and scaling by foreign labor o (C) Repairs to hull structural damage o (D) Repairs to the main propulsion machinery Page 12 of 17
56. Keeping the draft at or below the load line mark will insure that the vessel has which of the following? o (A) Normal rolling periods (B) Reserve buoyancy o (C) Adequate ballast o (D) Minimaul displacement 57. After casting off moorings at a mooring buoy in calm weather, which action should you take? o (A) Go half ahead on the engines and pass upstream of the buoy o (B) Go full ahead on the engine(s) o (C) Go half ahead on the engines and put the rudder hard right (D) Back away a few lengths to clear the buoy and then go ahead on the engines 58. In illustration D024DG below, which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another when backing down? o (A) B (B) C o (C) I o (D) H 59. What is the TLV of cyclohexanol? o (A) 20 ppm o (B) 30 ppm o (C) 40 ppm (D) 50 ppm 60. Under which condition is a Container vessels required to maintain an Oil Record Book? o (A) If the vessel is 150 gross tons o (B) If the vessel is 200 gross tons o (C) If the vessel is 300 gross tons (D) If the vessel is 400 gross tons Page 13 of 17
61. To achieve the designed holding power of a stockless anchor, the flukes must be embedded in the sea bottom. Which of the following is also required to reach this condition? o (A) The shank should be upright and perpendicular to the flukes o (B) The shank should be upright and parallel to the flukes o (C) The length of chain should be stretched along the bottom and perpendicular to the shank (D) The length of chain should be stretched along the bottom and in line with the shank 62. The possibility of wake damage can be reduced by following which action? o (A) Passing close aboard to the moored vessel (B) Slow down when passing moored vessels o (C) Apply rudder in both port and starboard directions o (D) Alternate engine speeds 63. Which item in illustration D024DG below, parting which item is one of the greatest hazards of pushing ahead? o (A) A o (B) B o (C) F (D) I 64. Which method requires prior approval to be used when cleaning up an oil spill? o (A) Suction equipment o (B) Skimmers o (C) Sorbent booms (D) Chemical agents 65. Which space(s) is(are) exempt when measuring gross tonnage? o (A) Auxiliary machinery spaces above the uppermost continuous deck o (B) Steering gear room o (C) Part of the wheelhouse used to control vessel (D) All of the above Page 14 of 17
66. The control panel of a fire detection system must have all of the following EXCEPT which item? (A) A way to bypass the entire panel if it malfunctions o (B) A power-available light o (C) An audible alarm to notify the crew and identify the origin of the fire o (D) A means to silence audible alarms while maintaining visible alarm lights 67. Which uninspected vessel is required to carry an efficient daylight signaling lamp? o (A) 299 GT towing vessel on a coastwise voyage o (B) 199 GT towing vessel on a coastwise voyage o (C) 99 GT towing vessel on Inland Waters (D) 199 GT towing vessel on an international voyage 68. The turning circle of a vessel making a turn over 360 degrees is the path followed by which item? o (A) Centerline o (B) Bridge o (C) Bow (D) Center of gravity 69. Where is the most probable location of the remote shutdown station for cargo pumps on a tank barge carrying oil? o (A) Within 25 feet of the pump engine (B) The midpoint of the barge o (C) The loading dock o (D) Above the forward rake end 70. To facilitate passing the end of a large rope through a block, you could use which line? o (A) A gantline o (B) A head line (C) A reeving line o (D) A sail line Page 15 of 17
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D024DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 16 of 17
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D030DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 17 of 17