National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 16
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. Which term applies to the angle between the flukes and the shank of an anchor? o (A) The holding angle o (B) A fleet angle o (C) A shank angle (D) The fluke angle 2. 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. 3. In illustration D039SA below, which Fire Control Plan symbol represents an international shore connection? o (A) 51 (B) 53 o (C) 49 o (D) 54 4. 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 Page 2 of 16
5. Which of the following is an inherent advantage possessed by a twin-screw vessel in opposition to a single-screw vessel? o (A) The drag effect will be cancelled out (B) The side forces will be cancelled out o (C) The vessel's speed will be increased o (D) The correct trim will be obtained more easily 6. Which of the following is NOT identified on the vessel's fire control plan? o (A) Dry chemical monitor (B) Fire and emergency signals o (C) Gas detector o (D) Fire control plan 7. You observe a V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing upstream in a river. What may this indicate? o (A) A submerged rock, not dangerous to navigation (B) A towed-under buoy o (C) A sunken wreck, not dangerous to navigation o (D) All of the above 8. What are the required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers for staterooms on cargo vessels? o (A) One C-I (B) None required o (C) One B-I o (D) One A-I 9. A tug placed at which location would have MINIMAL effect steering a large vessel? o (A) Attached by a tow line ahead of the vessel o (B) Secured on the vessel's quarter (C) Placed approximately amidships of the vessel o (D) Placed forward on either bow of the vessel Page 3 of 16
10. The rudders are amidships and both screws are going ahead. What will happen if the starboard screw is stopped? (A) The bow will go to starboard. o (B) The bow will remain steady. o (C) The stern will go to starboard. o (D) The bow will go to port. If choice A is selected set score to 1. 11. How is forty-five fathoms marked on the anchor chain? o (A) One turn of wire on the first stud from each side of the detachable link o (B) Two turns of wire on the second stud from each side of the detachable link (C) Three turns of wire on the third stud from each side of the detachable link o (D) Four turns of wire on the fourth stud from each side of the detachable link 12. Which of the following statements is true concerning the control activators, i.e., pull-handles, pushbuttons or levers, for a space protected by a CO2 fixed fire extinguishing system? o (A) Only one control activator is required for discharge piping systems designed without a stop valve. o (B) An alarm must sound for at least 20 seconds before CO2 is released into a space that is likely to be occupied. o (C) Two control activators are required when a stop valve is installed in the main discharge line to a space. (D) All of the above 13. Which of the following would be of immediate concern after discovering a large fire in the ship's galley? o (A) An adjacent storeroom, marked "Stewards Stores" (B) A storeroom directly above, containing combustible fluids o (C) An adjacent storeroom, containing spare parts o (D) An adjacent storeroom, containing mattresses and linen Page 4 of 16
14. Who has the exclusive use of the radiotelephone as stated in the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act"? o (A) a person designated by the Master o (B) the Master or person in charge of the vessel o (C) a person on board to pilot the vessel (D) All of the above 15. In moderate wind and current what should be the length of chain with a single anchor? o (A) 10 times the depth of the water in shallow water (B) 5 times the depth of the water in good holding ground o (C) 2 times the depth of the water in poor holding ground o (D) 8 times the depth of the water in deep water 16. Two vessels are abreast of each other and passing port to port in a confined waterway. What should you expect as your bow approaches the screws of the other vessel? (A) Your bow will sheer towards the other vessel. o (B) Your bow will sheer away from the other vessel. o (C) Your draft will significantly decrease. o (D) Your speed will significantly increase. If choice A is selected set score to 1. 17. Which is the root cause of wake damage to a vessel or structure in a narrow channel? o (A) Improper steering of the vessel o (B) Slack mooring lines (C) Excessive speed o (D) Trim of the vessel 18. 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 Page 5 of 16
19. When fighting fires in spaces containing bottles of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which is the most prudent action to take? o (A) See that the valves on all LPG bottles are closed (B) Cool the bottles or remove them from the fire area o (C) Attempt to isolate the fire from the LPG o (D) Place insulating material over the bottles 20. Unless extremely flexible wire rope is used, the sheave diameter should always be as large as possible. Which is the Coast Guard rule for correct sheave diameter? o (A) 10 times the wire rope diameter o (B) Match the rope diameter o (C) 2 times the wire rope diameter (D) 20 times the wire rope diameter 21. Which describes how flanking rudders effect a vessel's heading when going astern? o (A) The tunnel affect of the water flow past opposing rudders o (B) The discharge current being channeled to impinge on the vessel's deadwood o (C) The water flow due to the vessel's movement through the water (D) The effect of the propeller flow on the rudders 22. You are docking a vessel. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) You should approach the dock at a 90 angle o (B) You should go in with the current (C) You should go in against the current o (D) You should pass a mooring line to the dock and let the crew pull the vessel to 23. Which statement about tunnel bow thrusters fitted to large vessels is TRUE? o (A) They are fully effective at all drafts. o (B) Because of their location, most modern installations have as much power as a tug. o (C) They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots. (D) When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control. Page 6 of 16
24. Which is a design modification of an anchor chain which prevents the chain from kinking and increases its strength? o (A) A detachable link o (B) The Kenter link o (C) The connecting link (D) The stud link 25. 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 26. Multiple factors will have an effect on your vessel when it is maneuvering in restricted waters. Which of the following factors is the combination of sinkage and trim of the vessel? o (A) Bank cushion (B) Squat o (C) Heel o (D) Bank suction 27. When taking a Pilot from a pilot vessel in a seaway, which way should you head your vessel if the ladder is on the leeward side? o (A) Bow to the sea and no way on your vessel (B) Sea on the weather bow and ship moving ahead slowly o (C) Sea on the quarter with sternway on the ship o (D) Sea on the lee quarter with ship moving ahead slowly 28. What is the BEST conductor of electricity? (A) Salt water o (B) Distilled water o (C) Fresh water o (D) Carbon dioxide If choice A is selected set score to 1. Page 7 of 16
29. Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel? o (A) Certificate of Inspection o (B) Muster List o (C) Officer's licenses (D) Official Crew List 30. 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 31. Which term defines the distance that a ship moves forward with each revolution of its propeller, if there is no slip? (A) Pitch o (B) Transfer o (C) Head reach o (D) Advance If choice A is selected set score to 1. 32. 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 33. You are operating a twin-screw vessel and lose your port engine. You continue to operate on your starboard engine only. Which action would you take to move your vessel ahead in a straight line? o (A) Surge the starboard engine. o (B) Compensate with left rudder. o (C) Rudder amidships - no compensation is necessary on a twin-screw vessel. (D) Compensate with right rudder. Page 8 of 16
34. 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 35. When anchoring, good practice requires 5 to 7 fathoms of chain for each fathom of depth. Which is TRUE when anchoring in deep water? o (A) Veer more chain for each fathom of depth o (B) Use the same ratio (C) Use less chain for each fathom of depth o (D) Use two anchors with the same ratio of chain 36. A combination or all-purpose nozzle produces. o (A) a solid stream and foam o (B) a solid stream only (C) a solid stream and fog o (D) low-velocity fog only 37. What is the name of tackle number 4 as shown in illustration D029DG below? o (A) 2-2 tackle o (B) Luff tackle o (C) Double whip (D) Two-fold purchase 38. Traditionally, the signal for fire aboard ship is. o (A) 1 short blast on the whistle o (B) alternating short and long blasts on the ship's whistle o (C) more than 6 short blasts and 1 long blast on the whistle, and the same signal on the general alarm (D) continuous sounding of the ship's whistle and the general alarm for at least 10 seconds Page 9 of 16
39. In a fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system where pressure from pilot cylinders is used to release the CO2 from the main bank of 20 cylinders, what is the minimum number of required pilot cylinders? (A) 2 o (B) 3 o (C) 4 o (D) 6 If choice A is selected set score to 1. 40. What is the MOST important consideration when determining how to fight an electrical fire? o (A) Maintaining electrical power (B) Danger of shock to personnel o (C) Whether the fire is in machinery or passenger spaces o (D) The amount of toxic fumes created by the extinguisher 41. 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 If choice A is selected set score to 1. 42. 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 43. 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. Page 10 of 16
44. How should the letter "W" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone? o (A) DUB A U o (B) WI NE (C) WISS KEY o (D) WOO LF 45. What speed do most bow thrusters generally become ineffective? (A) Over 3 knots headway o (B) Over 1 knot sternway o (C) At any speed astern o (D) At any speed ahead If choice A is selected set score to 1. 46. How many fire axes should be carried by a 700 GT cargo vessel, navigating the Great Lakes? o (A) 4 (B) 6 o (C) 2 o (D) 8 47. When a vessel is entering or leaving a port, where is the record of engine speeds kept? o (A) The engine rough log o (B) The deck rough log (C) The bell book o (D) The Official Logbook 48. When moored with a Mediterranean moor, how should the ship be secured to the pier? (A) Send out a stern line and two quarter lines crossing under the stern o (B) Send out a stern line, 2 bow lines, and 2 quarter lines leading aft to the pier o (C) Send out two bow lines and two midship lines leading aft to the pier o (D) Send out all regular lines leading to the pier in opposition to the anchor If choice A is selected set score to 1. Page 11 of 16
49. 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 50. Your vessel must moor port side to a berth limited by vessels ahead and astern using a single tug. You are stemming a slight current and there is a light breeze off the dock. Where should the tug make up to the vessel? o (A) The stern on a hawser o (B) The vessels waist (C) The bow o (D) The vessel's quarter Page 12 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D029DG 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 D039SA 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 15 of 16
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D039SA 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 16 of 16