National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 16
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. 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 2. Which part of a cargo boom has the greatest diameter? o (A) Head (B) Middle o (C) It has the same diameter along its complete length. o (D) Heel 3. Each crewmember has an assigned firefighting station. Where is this assignment listed? o (A) On the Certificate of Inspection (B) On the muster list o (C) In the shipping articles o (D) On the fire fighting plan 4. Given a dry bulb temperature of 78 F and wet bulb temperature of 66.5 F, what is the dew point? o (A) 47.0 F o (B) 51.5 F (C) 59.0 F o (D) 70.0 F 5. Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed at night while bunkering at a dock? o (A) One red light over a white light (B) One red light o (C) One red light over a yellow light o (D) Two red lights Page 2 of 16
6. What is required to be posted in the pilothouse of a vessel? o (A) Certificate of Inspection o (B) Officer's licenses o (C) Company Mission Statement (D) Muster List ("Station Bill") 7. 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 8. What is the minimum number of bolts required in a temporarily connected standard ANSI (American National Standards Institute) coupling for the transfer of cargo oil? o (A) 2 (B) 4 o (C) 6 o (D) 8 9. 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 10. Which international body is responsible for drafting the convention prohibiting marine pollution (MARPOL)? o (A) The Maritime Advisory Council o (B) The International Association of Shipping o (C) The Association of Seafaring Nations (D) The International Maritime Organization Page 3 of 16
11. 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 180? o (A) 745 yards o (B) 770 yards (C) 850 yards o (D) 890 yards 12. 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 13. On a commercial fishing vessel, a wearable personal flotation device must be marked with which name(s)? o (A) The assigned individual's name o (B) The name of the owner of the device o (C) The vessel's name (D) Any of the above 14. How can the Coast Guard determine that a crew member is "able to understand any order spoken by the officers"? (A) Require a demonstration by the officer and the crew member o (B) Require that an interpreter be provided o (C) Require a written test o (D) All of the above 15. 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 Page 4 of 16
16. 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. 17. When oil is accidentally discharged into the water, what should you do after reporting the discharge? (A) Contain the oil and remove as much of it as possible from the water. o (B) Obtain your permit from the Corps of Engineers o (C) Throw chemical agents on the water to disperse the oil. o (D) Throw sand on the water to sink the oil. 18. You are on watch and the Pilot has the conn. The Master has temporarily gone below. The Pilot orders a course change which you are certain will put the vessel into imminent danger. Which should be your initial response? (A) Countermand the order and immediately notify the Master o (B) Make an appropriate entry in the deck log concerning the Pilot's order o (C) Immediately sound a short ring on the general alarm o (D) Immediately call the Master and await further orders from him 19. Which lifesaving equipment must be tested monthly? o (A) Hydrostatic releases o (B) Dated batteries o (C) Inflatable PFD's (D) EPIRB 20. 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 Page 5 of 16
21. When selecting the fuel oil tanks for the "burn-out" of bunkers during a voyage consideration of all of the following must be taken with the EXCEPTION of. (A) flashpoint o (B) list o (C) trim o (D) stability 22. 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 23. Which of the following is/are the component(s) of a twin crane set as shown in illustration D047DG? o (A) Hook block assembly o (B) Operator's cab o (C) Boom assembly (D) All of the above 24. An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "M" (Mike). What does this signal signify? o (A) I am altering my course to starboard o (B) I am operating astern propulsion o (C) I am altering my course to port (D) My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water 25. Which statement is TRUE of a gasoline spill? (A) It is visible for a shorter time than a fuel oil spill. o (B) It does little harm to marine life. o (C) It will sink more rapidly than crude oil. o (D) It is not covered by the pollution laws. Page 6 of 16
26. You are docking a vessel starboard side to with the assistance of two tugs. You are attempting to hold the vessel off by operating both tugs at right angles to the vessel and at full power. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) The bow doesn't close the dock first o (B) Steerageway is never taken off (C) The ship has no headway at the time o (D) The bow closes the dock first 27. Which knot in illustration D030DG below represents a single becket bend? o (A) E o (B) F o (C) G (D) H 28. 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 29. What is the period of validity of a Merchant Mariner Credential? (A) 5 years o (B) 1 year o (C) 3 years o (D) 2 years 30. What is the maximum weight the 30 ton capacity pedestal cranes shown in illustration D049DG can lift in the twin mode? o (A) 15 tons o (B) 30 tons (C) 60 tons o (D) 120 tons Page 7 of 16
31. Sweat damage in a hatch full of canned goods in cartons will occur when which condition exists? o (A) When the air temperature is higher than the temperature of the cargo o (B) When the air temperature is lower than the temperature of the cargo (C) When the dew point is higher than the temperature of the cargo o (D) When the dew point is lower than the temperature of the cargo 32. 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 33. What can be used to prevent a flammable atmosphere from occurring in a tank container? o (A) a combustion stabilizer (B) inert gas o (C) an oxidizer o (D) a vortex eliminator 34. 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 35. 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 Page 8 of 16
36. 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 37. 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 38. Where is an inflatable liferaft equipped with a SOLAS B pack on a fishing vessel required to be stowed? (A) In a location that it is able to float free o (B) In a location near the wheelhouse o (C) Located as far forward as possible o (D) In a location stowed with the vessel's emergency equipment 39. All U.S. Flag vessels engaged in foreign trade are required to be which of the following? o (A) Class Endorsed (B) Registry Endorsed o (C) Licensed o (D) Enrolled 40. Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage? (A) Boatswain's stores o (B) Passenger spaces o (C) Companions and booby hatches o (D) All of the above Page 9 of 16
41. 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 42. An icebreaker may use the code letter "K" to remind ships of their obligation to listen continuously on their radio. How can this signal be communicated to other vessels? o (A) By visual signal o (B) By light signal o (C) By sound signal (D) All of the above 43. You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship. (B) The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge. o (C) The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law. o (D) The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn. 44. A vessel has been surveyed in a foreign port and found unseaworthy as a result of neglect. A seaman on this vessel is entitled to discharge and which of the following? o (A) One month's pay only o (B) Transportation to the port of engagement o (C) One month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the least amount (D) One month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the greater amount Page 10 of 16
45. An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "I" (India) to signify that " ". o (A) I am altering my course to starboard o (B) I am operating astern propulsion o (C) My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water (D) I am altering my course to port 46. A cargo hose is marked with which of the following? (A) The maximum working pressure o (B) The maximum operating temperature o (C) The bursting pressure o (D) The safety relief valve setting 47. While assigned to a 150 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from New Orleans to which port? o (A) Houston, Texas o (B) Veracruz, Mexico (C) Cristobal Colon, Panama o (D) Kingston, Jamaica 48. Your vessel is being assisted by an icebreaker. How should you indicate that you are ready to cast off the towline? o (A) Sound one prolonged blast on the whistle o (B) Sound five short blasts on his whistle o (C) Display code numeral "5" (D) Display code letter "Y" (Yankee) 49. You are docking an oceangoing single-screw vessel under normal circumstances with a single tug. Which is the usual function of the tug? (A) To control the bow and is tied to the offshore bow o (B) To control the stern and is tied to the stern on the offshore side o (C) To push the ship bodily alongside and is tied to the offshore side on the stern o (D) To pull the vessel into the slip and is tied to the bow Page 11 of 16
50. The maneuvering information required to be posted in the wheelhouse must be based on certain conditions. Which of the following is NOT one of these conditions? o (A) The hull must be clean. (B) The depth of the water must be at least one and one-half times the draft. o (C) There must be no current. o (D) There must be calm weather-wind 10 knots or less and a calm sea. Page 12 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D030DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 13 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D035DG 6/2/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 14 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D047DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 15 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D049DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 16 of 16