National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 18
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions. 1. A mariner whose credential has been revoked shall not be issued another credential without which of the following?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 2. 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 3. Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations? o (A) Never exceed crane manufacturer's limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs. o (B) Lifting points on all equipment must be safely checked prior to commencing a lift. o (C) Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting needs to be properly secured so as to prevent shifting during transport. (D) All the above 4. Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel? o (A) Officer's licenses o (B) Certificate of Inspection (C) Official Crew List o (D) Muster List 5. 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. (C) When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control. o (D) They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots. Page 2 of 18
6. 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 7. In a tank vessel constructed in 1970, carrying grade A, B, C, or D liquid cargo, what is required to isolate cargo pumps from sources of vapor ignition? o (A) cofferdams o (B) general cargo spaces (C) gastight bulkheads o (D) passageways or living quarters 8. Ice concentration is measured in tenths. What concentration range of ice corresponds to "Close Pack"? o (A) 9-10 tenths (B) 7-8 tenths o (C) 4-6 tenths o (D) 1-3 tenths 9. No hot work shall be performed on board a vessel with hazardous materials as cargo unless the work is approved by the. (A) local U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port o (B) American Bureau of Shipping o (C) harbormaster o (D) National Cargo Bureau 10. Which of the following terms best defines the spontaneous mixing of a tank's liquid contents when a heavier layer forms above a less dense lower layer? o (A) flash over o (B) boil off o (C) cascading (D) rollover Page 3 of 18
11. If you must pump bilges while a vessel is in port, which is the proper method? o (A) During the outgoing tide (B) The discharge is led to a shore tank or barge o (C) Only during the hours of darkness o (D) Only pump as much as is necessary 12. Which type of link is generally used to connect shots of anchor chain? o (A) Stud link o (B) Open o (C) Pear shaped (D) Detachable 13. Which factor is MOST important in preventing sweat damage within a cargo hold? o (A) Dew point of the outside atmosphere o (B) Temperature of the cargo (C) Dew point of the cargo hold o (D) Outside air temperature 14. 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? o (A) Turn off the running lights and turn on the anchor lights o (B) Lower the accommodation ladder and illuminate it o (C) Stop the engines (D) Take bearings to obtain ship's position 15. Which statement about the carriage of solid hazardous materials in bulk is TRUE? (A) Hazardous materials that require separation must not be handled at the same time. o (B) A certificate issued by ABS will be accepted as evidence that the vessel complies with all applicable loading regulations. o (C) A special permit issued by the Coast Guard is required before bulk solid materials that require special handling are loaded o (D) The shipping papers can be used in lieu of a Dangerous Cargo Manifest for a vessel carrying solid hazardous materials in bulk. Page 4 of 18
16. Which of the following is required to have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan? o (A) Any barge or ship constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can be carried aboard (B) An oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, or other ship of 400 gross tons and above o (C) All vessels, regardless of size and commercial application o (D) An oil tanker of 400 gross tons and above, or other ships of 150 gross tons and above 17. Which shallow water effect will increase dramatically if you increase your ship's speed past its "critical speed"? (A) Squatting o (B) Smelling the bottom o (C) Sinkage o (D) Bank cushion 18. Your ship has loaded 9,000 barrels of fuel oil at a cargo temperature of 35 C (95 F). API gravity is 44. The volume correction factor (VCF) is.0005. You are bound to New Jersey from Venezuela. How many barrels would you expect to unload if the cargo temperature is 55 F at the discharge port? o (A) 9,090 o (B) 8,910 o (C) 9,180 (D) 8,820 19. Which product(s) is(are) compatible with the product ethylene cyanohydrin? o (A) Isocyanates (B) Ammonia o (C) Nitric acid o (D) Sulfuric acid 20. What is the meaning of a flag hoist consisting of the code letters "WM" (Whiskey Mike) when displayed by an icebreaker? o (A) "I am going ahead; follow me." o (B) "You should stop your vessel instantly." o (C) "Icebreaker support is finished." (D) "Icebreaker support is now commencing." Page 5 of 18
21. Where can the deepest water when rounding a bend in a river be located? o (A) Toward the center of the river just before the bend, then change course for the river's center after the bend o (B) In the center of the river o (C) Toward the inside of the bend (D) Toward the outside of the bend 22. 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 23. You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of isophorone, ethylenediamine, and creosote. Which of the following is TRUE? o (A) All of these cargoes are incompatible. o (B) Isophorone is incompatible with ethylenediamine but may be stowed adjacent to creosote. o (C) Ethylenediamine is compatible with isophorone but both are incompatible with creosote. (D) All of these cargoes are compatible. 24. Prior to being able to sail, each vessel that carries grain in bulk must have a certificate of loading. Which organization issues this certificate? o (A) American Bureau of Shipping o (B) Lloyds of London (C) National Cargo Bureau o (D) U.S. Salvage 25. Most of your vessel's superstructure is forward. How will the vessel lie when drifting with no way on? o (A) With the wind off the starboard beam (B) With the wind from abaft the beam o (C) With the wind off the port beam o (D) With the wind from ahead Page 6 of 18
26. Which is NOT a recommended practice when handling nylon line? (A) Manila line stoppers should be used for holding nylon hawsers. o (B) Nylon lines which become slippery because of oil or grease should be scrubbed down. o (C) When easing out nylon line, keep an extra turn on the bitt to prevent slipping. o (D) Iced-over nylon lines should be thawed and drained before stowing. 27. Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set? o (A) When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited. o (B) The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation. o (C) The cranes may be operated independently. (D) All of the above 28. What is the "iron mike"? (A) The automatic pilot o (B) A standby wheel o (C) A speaker o (D) The pilot 29. 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 30. How is Cottonseed oil classed? o (A) As poison B o (B) As a flammable solid o (C) As a flammable liquid (D) As a combustible liquid Page 7 of 18
31. Which describes how flanking rudders effect a vessel's heading when going astern? o (A) The water flow due to the vessel's movement through the water o (B) The discharge current being channeled to impinge on the vessel's deadwood (C) The effect of the propeller flow on the rudders o (D) The tunnel affect of the water flow past opposing rudders 32. You are standing watch on entering port and the Master gives a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should ensure the helmsman which action? (A) Obeys the Master's commands o (B) Asks the Pilot if he has relinquished control o (C) Obeys the Pilot's commands o (D) Brings the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting positions 33. 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 34. When dropping anchor, you are stationed at the windlass brake. Which is the most important piece(s) of personnel protection equipment? o (A) Gloves o (B) A hard hat o (C) A long sleeve shirt (D) Goggles 35. 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 Page 8 of 18
36. You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible? o (A) Port of loading (B) Firefighting procedures o (C) Name and address of consignee o (D) Exact quantity on board 37. According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is the Reid Vapor Pressure of tert-butylamine? (A) 11 (psig) o (B) 12 (psig) o (C) 13 (psig) o (D) 14 (psig) 38. Which item is designed to be a safety stopper that prevents the anchor cable from running free if the cable jumps the wildcat? o (A) The spill pipe o (B) The devil's claw (C) The riding pawl o (D) The buckler plate 39. You are using tackle number 5 as shown in illustration D029DG below to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (A) 20 o (B) 9 o (C) 5 o (D) 4 Page 9 of 18
40. U.S. regulations require having a responsible person present at the hatches of spaces containing Class 1 explosive materials. When does the requirement apply during cargo operations? o (A) A responsible person is required to be in attendance only while the handling of cargo is in progress o (B) From the commencement of loading Class 1 Explosives until the completion of the final load and the vessel departs (C) Any time the hatch containing the explosive is open whether the handling of cargo is in progress or not o (D) A responsible person is required to randomly check the loading process, not to maintain constant attendance 41. 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 42. Where is the heel block located on a boom? o (A) Near the spider band o (B) Near the midships guy o (C) At the cargo hook (D) At the base of the boom 43. Another name for coal naphtha that would appear on a dangerous cargo manifest is. o (A) tar o (B) toluene o (C) middle oil (D) benzene 44. Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk? (A) Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only. o (B) Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions. o (C) Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet. o (D) Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible. Page 10 of 18
45. Which single-letter signal, when used by icebreakers on the Great Lakes, may be made by using the ship's whistle? (A) M o (B) E o (C) I o (D) None 46. A vessel in Great Lakes service shall carry anchors in accordance with standards established by which group? o (A) The U.S. Coast Guard o (B) The underwriters of the vessel (C) The American Bureau of Shipping o (D) The Canadian Coast Guard 47. 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. 48. In cleaning up an oil spill, which term depicts the main function of straw? o (A) It acts as a blocker o (B) It acts as a chemical agent (C) It acts as a sorbent o (D) None of the above 49. 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 Page 11 of 18
50. Which statement about the hospital space on a cargo ship is TRUE? o (A) The hospital space must have both a bathtub and shower. o (B) A hospital is required on all vessels with a crew of 12 or more if it makes overnight voyages. (C) If a ship has a crew of forty-five who do not have their own room, the hospital must have four berths. o (D) The hospital may be used for disciplinary confinement if it is not being used for treatment. 51. Which is a common occurrence when a vessel is running into shallow water? o (A) The vessel is more responsive to the rudder o (B) The wake is less pronounced (C) "Squat" will cause a decrease in bottom clearance and an increase in draft o (D) All of the above 52. A tanker is loaded with 8,000 barrels of fuel oil. The temperature of the cargo is 50 F. API gravity is 37. The volume correction factor (VCF) is.0005. What is the net amount in gallons of cargo loaded? o (A) 334,320 (B) 337,680 o (C) 437,800 o (D) 442,200 53. What is required of an access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grade D liquid cargo? (A) from the open deck o (B) away from galleys, living quarters, or navigation spaces o (C) isolated from sources of vapor ignition o (D) only from areas equipped with power ventilation systems 54. 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 Page 12 of 18
55. If you shorten the scope of anchor cable, what is the effect of your anchor's holding power? o (A) The holding power remains the same (B) The holding power decreases o (C) The holding power increases o (D) Holding power has no relation to scope 56. When planning the loading or discharging of a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) what is the most important consideration? o (A) Rate of loading o (B) Draft and trim (C) Limits of the bending moments o (D) Rate of discharging 57. What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 10 as shown in illustration D029DG below? o (A) 4.0 o (B) 4.5 (C) 5.0 o (D) 5.5 58. To determine the weight capacity of a deck in a cargo hold, which reference would you refer to? (A) The deck capacity plan o (B) The cubic capacity tables o (C) The deadweight scale o (D) The general arrangement plan 59. 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 Page 13 of 18
60. 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 61. Your vessel is being assisted through an ice field in Thunder Bay by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Alexander Henry. The starboard lookout reports that the icebreaker has run up the code flag "N" (November). Which action should you take? (A) Stop your engines o (B) Reduce speed o (C) Reverse your engines o (D) Stop your vessel instantly 62. 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 63. When carrying a full or nearly full load of bulk ore in a general cargo type vessel, how should the ore be loaded? o (A) Toward the forward bulkhead of all holds o (B) Along the centerline (C) In accordance with the vessels stability information booklet o (D) Toward the after bulkhead of all holds 64. What can a rolling hitch be used for? (A) Secure a line around a spar o (B) Mouse a hook o (C) Shorten a line o (D) Make a temporary eye Page 14 of 18
65. 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 66. Which defines the pitch of a propeller on a merchant vessel? (A) The number of feet per revolution the propeller is designed to advance in still water without slip o (B) The angle that the propeller makes with a free stream of water o (C) The positive pressure resulting from the difference of the forces on both sides of the moving propeller in still water without slip o (D) The angle that the propeller makes with the surface of the water 67. 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 68. 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 69. What is one of the main purposes of dunnage? o (A) To support weakened bulkheads o (B) To secure the tarpaulins in place o (C) To act as ballast for light vessels (D) To provide ventilation and drainage for cargo Page 15 of 18
70. Which term describes the force exerted by a propeller which tends to throw the stern right or left? o (A) Slip o (B) Rotational force o (C) Thrust (D) Sidewise force Page 16 of 18
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D029DG 5/23/2016 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 17 of 18
National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners D034DG 5/25/2018 Adapted for testing purposes only Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 18 of 18