National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 15
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. You are 15 feet off a pier and docking a vessel using only a bow breast line and stern breast line. Once the slack is out of both lines you begin to haul in on the bow breast line. What is the effect on the vessel? o (A) The stern will come in and the bow will remain the same distance off the pier. o (B) The bow will come in and the stern will go out. o (C) The bow and stern come in equally closer toward the pier. (D) The bow will come in and the stern will remain the same distance off the pier. 2. An International Tonnage Certificate will be issued to a vessel when it meets several requirements. Which is one of the requirements? o (A) Will engage in intercoastal trade (B) Must be 79 or more feet in length o (C) Admeasure over 100 GT o (D) Has been issued a Certificate of Inspection 3. When picking up your mooring at the buoy, which is the correct method? o (A) Stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy o (B) Approach the buoy with the wind and current astern (C) Approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead o (D) Approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam 4. 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. o (A) on a Napier diagram o (B) in the vessel's Official Logbook (C) in the compass deviation log o (D) on the compass deviation card Page 2 of 15
5. You are using the anchor to steady the bow while maneuvering. When do you know you have the proper scope of anchor cable out? (A) When the bow is held in position with the engines coming slowly ahead o (B) When the anchor is just touching the bottom o (C) If the scope is not more than 5 times the depth of the water o (D) When the cable enters the water at an angle between 60 and 85 from the horizontal 6. As a ship moves through the water, it drags with it a body of water called the wake. Which term defines the ratio of the wake speed to the ship's speed? o (A) Speed of advance (B) Wake fraction o (C) Wake distribution o (D) Propeller velocity 7. Which term describes the distance a vessel moves parallel to the original course from the point where the rudder is put over to any point on the turning circle? o (A) Drift angle o (B) Transfer (C) Advance o (D) Pivoting point 8. You are the Master of a single-screw vessel. You are docking at a port which has no tugs available. You decide to drop the offshore anchor to help in docking. How much chain should you out? o (A) 5 to 7 times the depth of the water o (B) NEVER use the anchor to help in docking (C) 1 1/2 times the depth of the water to the hawsepipe o (D) Equal to the depth of the water 9. Which item is a journal kept by the officer of the watch in which day to day happenings are recorded regarding the deck department? o (A) A cargo record book (B) The deck rough log o (C) The bell book o (D) The Official Logbook Page 3 of 15
10. Who will certify the vessel to be gas free before entering the shipyard? (A) A shoreside gas chemist. o (B) A dedicated company representative. o (C) A representative from the vessel's class society. o (D) The chief officer. 11. Dunnage may be used to protect a cargo from loss or damage from which of the following items? o (A) Hygroscopic absorption o (B) Tainting o (C) Inherent vice (D) Ship's sweat 12. Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. What is the designation number for the middle boat on the starboard side? o (A) 2 o (B) 2 STARBOARD (C) 3 o (D) 4 13. How long is a credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for apprentice mate (steersman) of Towing Vessels valid for? o (A) 2 years and must be renewed o (B) 3 years and must be renewed (C) 5 years and must be renewed o (D) None of the above 14. According to regulations when, if ever, may cargo hatches on Great Lakes vessels, with more than 6 feet of freeboard, be left uncovered or open while the vessel is being navigated? o (A) On the authority of the Bosun o (B) The hatch may never be uncovered (C) At the discretion of the Master, for reasonable purposes o (D) If a Mate deems it necessary for ship's maintenance Page 4 of 15
15. Your vessel has the symbol shown in illustration D022DG below inscribed on the side. Which statement concerning this symbol is TRUE? (A) The applicable gross and net tonnage of the ship will change if this mark is submerged and the load line mark is visible. o (B) This represents the load line marks when engaged on a voyage upon the Great Lakes. o (C) The symbol is the equivalent of a load line marking and is used by government vessels (USN, MSC, USCG) only. o (D) The line directly under the triangle is at the same level as the summer load line. 16. A mariner whose credential has been revoked shall not be issued another credential without which of the following? o (A) approval of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection o (B) taking a new examination (C) approval of the Commandant o (D) approval of an administrative law judge 17. After each operation involving the transfer of oil or oily mixture, when shall an entry be recorded in the Oil Record Book? o (A) As the operation permits (B) Without delay o (C) Within 1 hour of completion of the inspection o (D) Within 6 hours of completion of the operation 18. Which statement is TRUE concerning the placard entitled "Discharge of Oil Prohibited"? o (A) It must be located in a conspicuous place in the wheelhouse. o (B) It is required on all vessels. (C) It must be located at the bilge and ballast pump control station. o (D) All of the above 19. Single hull vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes must be dry docked at intervals not to exceed what time period? o (A) 12 months o (B) 24 months (C) 60 months o (D) 48 months Page 5 of 15
20. The S.S. Sheet Bend arrives in New York after encountering heavy weather on a voyage from Cape Town. Who will note the maritime protest for the Master? o (A) Collector of Customs (B) Notary Public o (C) Officer in Charge Marine Inspection o (D) U.S. Shipping Commissioner 21. A tug should not come alongside a tank vessel in way of its cargo tanks while it is loading grade A, B, or C cargo without the permission of the. o (A) local fire department (B) person in charge of the transfer o (C) superintendent of the shoreside facility o (D) the cognizant OCMI 22. How long must the operator of each vessel engaged in a vessel-to-vessel oil transfer operation keep a signed copy of the declaration of inspection for? o (A) 10 days (B) 1 month o (C) 6 months o (D) 1 year 23. In the United States, which organization sets the load line markings? o (A) IMO (B) American Bureau of Shipping o (C) Coast Guard o (D) Federal Maritime Board 24. Which of the following is a rope ladder with wooden rungs? o (A) A life ladder (B) A Jacob's ladder o (C) A drop ladder o (D) A jury ladder Page 6 of 15
25. A wire rope rove through two single blocks with two parts at the moving block is used for a boat fall. The weight of the 100-person boat is 5 tons. Compute the required breaking strain per davit (2 per boat). Safety Factor - 6, weight per person - 165 lbs., 10% friction per sheave (2 sheaves). o (A) 18.30 tons B.S. o (B) 20.29 tons B.S. (C) 22.27 tons B.S. o (D) 24.31 tons B.S. 26. According to U.S. regulations which of the following statements is correct regarding the fuel oil containment around loading manifolds? o (A) Containment drains are prohibited from leading to a common tank. (B) They may be fixed or portable, depending upon the age of the vessel. o (C) The containment drains must have quick-closing valves to be closed in the event of leakage or failure of any part of the transfer connection. o (D) All containment drains must lead to a common fixed drain tank. 27. Which statement about entering into a tank which has been sealed for a long time is TRUE? o (A) The tank should be tested only once to ensure the oxygen content is at least 14% before entry. o (B) The tank need not be tested for oxygen content if it is ventilated for more than 24 hours. (C) The tank must be tested at frequent intervals to ensure that hazardous gasses have not regenerated. o (D) If the oxygen content tests at less than 12% you should wear an approved gas mask. 28. While operating your oceangoing vessel you must keep a record of any discharge or disposal of garbage. When should these entries be made? o (A) Before the end of the voyage (B) At the time the garbage was disposed o (C) Before arriving at your next port o (D) No later than 24 hours after disposal of the garbage Page 7 of 15
29. Which statement is TRUE concerning buoyant work vests aboard tank vessels? (A) They must be used only under supervision of a designated ship's officer. o (B) They may be worn during drills. o (C) They may be worn while working on deck but not while working over the side. o (D) They will be accepted for up to 10% of the required life preservers. 30. 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. o (A) stability o (B) list o (C) trim (D) flashpoint 31. Which type of stopper should be used to stop off wire rope? (A) Chain o (B) Polypropylene o (C) Wire o (D) Manila 32. Which will most likely occur when your vessel enters shallow water? o (A) Rudder action will become more effective o (B) The vessel's list will decrease o (C) An increase in speed will occur (D) The vessel's trim will change 33. How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel? o (A) It pulls the bow toward the bank. o (B) It pushes the entire vessel away from the bank. o (C) It heels the vessel toward the bank. (D) It pulls the stern toward the bank. Page 8 of 15
34. Which of the following reduces the holding capacity of a mooring winch brake? o (A) The setting of the manual intake valve o (B) The setting of the windlass/winch control switch o (C) The mooring drum intake rate adjustment (D) The number of layers of wire on the drum 35. According to U.S. regulations, what is required where cargo pump shafts on tankers pierce bulkheads? o (A) the glands are to be kept under continuous suction with power ventilation o (B) a pressure gauge or manometer shall be installed on the bulkhead to ensure the gastight seal is maintained o (C) compressed air shall be used as the primary means to discharge cargo (D) readily accessible gastight glands shall be provided 36. Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of manila line with a breaking stress of 8 tons. o (A) 0.75 tons o (B) 1.25 tons (C) 1.33 tons o (D) 8.00 tons 37. You are planning to anchor in an area where several anchors have been lost due to fouling. What precaution should you take? o (A) Use a stern anchor with a scope of 8 or more to 1 o (B) Only anchor using both anchors not set in bottom o (C) Anchor with scope of 8 or more to 1 (D) Fit a crown strap and work wire to the anchor 38. Which is an example of a modern anchor which has a stock? o (A) Baldt anchor o (B) Articulated anchor o (C) Flipper Delta anchor (D) Danforth anchor Page 9 of 15
39. You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light. The results are shown in illustration D034DG below. What is the transfer for a turn of 45? (A) 130 yards o (B) 165 yards o (C) 195 yards o (D) 230 yards 40. How can fracture damage to the end links of the anchor cable, or to the anchor ring be eliminated? o (A) Install the connecting shackle with the bow towards the anchor o (B) Use a smaller diameter connecting shackle o (C) Ensure that the swivel is well lubricated and free to turn (D) secure a piece of wood to the anchor ring 41. What should be used when temporarily securing a hook to the end of a wire rope? o (A) A long splice (B) Wire rope clips with a thimble eye o (C) An overhand knot with a wire rope clip o (D) A bowline knot 42. On an inspected vessel, when may a stability test be dispensed with? o (A) Coast Guard does not have a qualified inspector available o (B) projected cost is unreasonable (C) Coast Guard has the approved stability test results of a sister vessel o (D) vessel is of a proven design 43. What is the FIRST action to take if you detect oil around your tank vessel while discharging petroleum products? (A) Shut down operations o (B) Have the pumpman check the discharge piping o (C) Try to find out where the oil is coming from o (D) Call the Master Page 10 of 15
44. You are docking a vessel. When are the wind and current most favorable in this situation? o (A) When they are crossing your course, in opposite directions to the other o (B) When they are crossing your course, both in the same direction o (C) When they are both setting you on the pier (D) When they are both parallel to the pier from ahead 45. A precaution you should take before bunkering is to. o (A) plug the vents (B) plug the scuppers o (C) close the lids on the vents o (D) plug the sounding pipes 46. Your vessel is at a dock taking bunkers. If oil begins to flow out of a tank vent, what should you do FIRST? (A) Signal the shore control point to shut down. o (B) Set out drip pans and sawdust and begin to mop up the spill. o (C) Close the valve on the tank vent line. o (D) Open the intake valve to an adjacent tank. 47. Which can be prevented only by segregating two lots of cargo into separate holds? o (A) Overcarriage, overstowage, and short landing (B) Contamination of a food cargo by an odorous cargo o (C) Contamination of dry cargo by a wet cargo o (D) Contamination of a clean cargo by a delicate cargo 48. You are docking a vessel. Which statement is TRUE? o (A) You should pass a mooring line to the dock and let the crew pull the vessel to (B) You should go in against the current o (C) You should approach the dock at a 90 angle o (D) You should go in with the current Page 11 of 15
49. Which of the following is the strongest of the natural fibers? o (A) Hemp (B) Manila o (C) Cotton o (D) Sisal 50. What does the line labeled "MS" indicate on the Great Lakes load line model shown in illustration D031DG below? o (A) Midseason o (B) Mean sea level o (C) Maximum submergence (D) Midsummer Page 12 of 15
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D022DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 13 of 15
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D031DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 14 of 15
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D034DG 5/25/2018 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 15 of 15