Master < 500-1600 GRT, Revision & Practice Exams

What quality of a diesel fuel is most significant for efficient combustion?

1. Volatility ✓
2. Flash point
3. Specific heat
4. Viscosity

How does good housekeeping prevent fires on a vessel?

1. Allowing better access in an emergency
2. Eliminating trip hazards
3. Improving personnel qualifications
4. Eliminating potential fuel sources ✓

You are the person in charge of a lifeboat when land is sighted. Due to a medical emergency, you have made the decision to beach the lifeboat through the surf. Which of the following is of greatest consideration in making this decision?

1. if there is a supply of freshwater near the landing area
2. the likelihood of broaching or capsizing the survival craft ✓
3. the likelihood of the landing area being inhabited
4. if the surf appears less rough from the sea

Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 24.2 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 22'-04", AFT 23'-00"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

1. 72°
2. 78° ✓
3. 86°
4. 92°

If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

1. The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true ✓
2. The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
3. The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true
4. The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

Which type of weather could you expect soon after seeing "hook" or "comma" shaped cirrus clouds?

1. Rain with the approach of a warm front ✓
2. Continuing fog and rain
3. The formation of a tropical depression
4. Clearing with the approach of a cold front

Which is the difference between the DR position and a fix, both of which have the same time?

1. Leeway
2. Variation
3. Deviation
4. Current ✓

Which defines the term relative humidity?

1. The ratio of the actual vapor content at the current temperature to the air's vapor holding capability ✓
2. The maximum vapor content the air is capable of holding
3. The relation of the moisture content of the air to barometric pressure
4. The maximum vapor content the air is capable of holding at 70 degrees

Which statement is TRUE concerning equatorial tides?

1. They are used as the basis for the vulgar establishment of the port.
2. They occur when the Moon is at maximum declination north or south.
3. The difference in height between consecutive high or low tides is at a minimum. ✓
4. They occur when the Sun is at minimum declination north or south.

The path that a vessel is expected to follow, represented on a chart by a line drawn from the point of departure to the point of arrival, is known by which term?

1. Track line ✓
2. DR plot
3. Estimated course
4. Heading

Which item in illustration D034NG below shows a fixed and flashing light?

1. A ✓
2. B
3. C
4. D

If your propeller is racing in rough weather, which action should you take?

1. Stop your engine until the rough weather passes
2. Ignore it, this is acceptable in rough weather
3. Decrease your engine speed ✓
4. Increase your engine speed

According to the Chemical Data Guide, the flash point for the grade B flammable liquid piperylene is __________.

1. -20°F ✓
2. 43°C
3. 108°F
4. not available

Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed at night while bunkering at a dock?

1. One red light over a white light
2. Two red lights
3. One red light ✓
4. One red light over a yellow light

On stud-link anchor chain, how much does the addition of the stud increase the strength of the link?

1. 10%
2. 15% ✓
3. 20%
4. 50%

According to the Lifesaving regulations in Subchapter W, fire and abandon ship drills must be held within 24 hours of leaving port if the percentage of the crew that has not participated in drills aboard that particular vessel in the prior month exceeds which percentage?

1. 5%
2. 10%
3. 25% ✓
4. 40%

What is the purpose of a striking plate?

1. It provides a surface for applying force on machinery
2. It prevents valve stem over-travel
3. It provides a landing surface for the sounding bob ✓
4. It absorbs machinery vibration

A drill must be conducted in the use of the line throwing appliance. How often is this drill required to be conducted?

1. 2 months
2. 3 months ✓
3. 4 months
4. 5 months

In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy with a quick light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds. Which topmark in illustration D030NG below would be fitted to this buoy under the IALA Buoyage Systems?

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D ✓

Pressure gradient is a measure of __________.

1. pressure difference over horizontal distance ✓
2. vertical pressure variation
3. a high-pressure area
4. pressure difference over time

Swell is the rise and fall of the ocean's surface due to __________.

1. the pull of the moon
2. local storms
3. fetch
4. distant winds ✓

Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?

1. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship
2. An outline of the area of the sector
3. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light ✓
4. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector

The four standard light colors used for lighted aids to navigation are red, green, white, and __________.

1. blue
2. purple
3. yellow ✓
4. orange

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code assigns classes to dangerous goods. What is the proper nomenclature for class 9 substances?

1. Gases
2. Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles ✓
3. Toxic and infectious substances
4. Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

According to Pollution Prevention Regulations (33CFR), who is required to sign the entry in the Oil Record Book after every designated operation?

1. The person(s) in charge of the operation and a credentialed officer present at the operation
2. The master
3. The person(s) in charge of the operation ✓
4. Any credentialed officer present at the operation designated by the master

If a cargo of kerosene were considered "too lean" to explode, then it must be __________.

1. above the "explosive range"
2. below the "explosive range" ✓
3. within the "explosive range"
4. None of the above

When should you first have any food or water after boarding a lifeboat or liferaft?

1. After 12 hours
2. After 24 hours ✓
3. Within 48 hours
4. Some food and water should be consumed immediately and then not until 48 hours later.

What is the calling and distress frequency on a single side band (SSB) marine radiotelephone?

1. 1492 kHz
2. 1892 kHz
3. 2082 kHz
4. 2182 kHz ✓

If you see an individual fall overboard, which action(s) should you take?

1. Throw him/her a life buoy
2. Pass the word to the bridge
3. Hail "man overboard"
4. All of the above ✓

Your drafts are: FWD 23'-03", AFT 27'-01". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessels displacement if you are in fresh water.

1. 12,550 tons
2. 12,900 tons ✓
3. 13,200 tons
4. 13,350 tons

Your vessel is on course 093°T at 15 knots. At 1835 a light bears 136°T, and at 1857 the same light bears 170°T. What was your distance off the light at 1857?

1. 6.0 miles
2. 6.4 miles
3. 6.8 miles ✓
4. 7.2 miles

You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 264°T, 68 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 13 knots?

1. 6h 31m
2. 6h 47m
3. 7h 03m
4. 7h 37m ✓

Which publication would describe the explosive anchorages in the ports on the east coast of the United States?

1. Notice to Mariners
2. Pilot Rules for Inland Waters
3. Sailing Directions
4. Coast Pilot ✓

Where can complete information on weather broadcasts throughout the world be found?

1. The Selected Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts ✓
2. The Coast Pilot Volume 2
3. The Notice to Mariners
4. The Amver worldwide voluntary reporting system

You take a bearing of 043° and 169° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best fix?

1. 144°
2. 356°
3. 201°
4. 102° ✓

Which is a characteristic of anticyclones?

1. High winds and cloudiness
2. Overcast skies
3. Dry, fair weather ✓
4. Gustiness and continuous precipitation

The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the celestial equator system, which is the other system?

1. Terrestrial system
2. Astronomical system
3. Horizon system ✓
4. Ecliptic system

What feature(s) of a daymark is (are) used to identify the beacon upon which it is mounted?

1. Size
2. Method of construction
3. Color and shape ✓
4. Signal characteristics

Which of the following causes the development of an occluded front?

1. A low-pressure area
2. A high-pressure area
3. An area of calm air
4. A cold front overtaking a warm front ✓

You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyrocompass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 039°.

1. 0.8°E
2. 0.0°
3. 0.5°W
4. 1.0°W ✓

The track line on the chart is 274°T. Variation is 4°E, and deviation is 2°E. The gyro error is 1.5°E. What course would be steered by gyrocompass to make good the desired course?

1. 280.5°pgc
2. 278.0°pgc
3. 275.5°pgc
4. 272.5°pgc ✓

Which wind results from a land mass cooling more quickly at night than an adjacent water area?

1. Coastal breeze
2. Land breeze ✓
3. Sea breeze
4. Mistral

The GP of a body for a high-altitude sight is determined from the declination and which other information?

1. The zenith distance of the body
2. The azimuth of the body
3. The right ascension of the body
4. The Greenwich hour angle of the body ✓

The First Point of Aries is the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere on or about __________.

1. September 21
2. March 21 ✓
3. June 21
4. December 21

A vessel's position should be plotted using bearings of __________.

1. buoys close at hand
2. fixed known objects on shore ✓
3. fixed objects
4. All of the above

When using a mechanical (windup type) marine chronometer, how often should it be reset?

1. Only when it is overhauled ✓
2. If the chronometer rate changes from gaining to losing or vice versa
3. At the start of each voyage
4. Whenever the chronometer error exceeds approximately four minutes

The sailing drafts are: FWD 23'-02", AFT 24'-06" and the GM is 2.8 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the available righting arm at 30° inclination.

1. 1.3 feet
2. 2.5 feet ✓
3. 3.2 feet
4. 3.7 feet

In a following sea, a wave has overtaken your vessel and thrown the stern to starboard. To continue along your original course, which action should you take?

1. Increase speed
2. Use more left rudder
3. Use more right rudder ✓
4. Decrease speed

If the situation arose where it became necessary to tow a disabled vessel, which statement is TRUE concerning the towing line?

1. There should be a catenary so the line dips into the water. ✓
2. The towing line between the two vessels should be clear of the water.
3. The towing line should be taut at all times between the vessels.
4. None of the above.

What does a Doppler log in the bottom return mode indicate?

1. The speed over the ground ✓
2. The depth of the water
3. The bottom characteristics
4. The velocity of the current

To measure distance on a Mercator chart between the parallels of LAT 34°30'N and LAT 31°30'N, which 30- mile scale should be used?

1. 33°00'N to 33°30'N
2. 32°15'N to 32°45'N
3. 32°30'N to 33°00'N
4. 32°45'N to 33°15'N ✓

Your vessel is entering port and you have steadied up on a range, dead ahead, in line with your keel. After a few minutes the range, still dead ahead, appears as shown in illustration D047NG below. Which action should you take?

1. Increase speed
2. Alter heading to the left ✓
3. Alter heading to the right
4. Maintain heading, keeping the range dead ahead

Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting which element of the weather?

1. The relative humidity
2. The dew point
3. The temperature
4. The wind velocity ✓

According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the Northern Hemisphere experiences a northwest wind, where is the center of low pressure located?

1. Northwest of the observer
2. West-southwest of the observer
3. South-southeast of the observer
4. Northeast of the observer ✓

A credential for apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels shall be renewed within what time period before or after the expiration date?

1. 90 days
2. 6 months
3. 30 days
4. 12 months ✓

What is the cause of most minor spills of oil products?

1. Human error ✓
2. Equipment failure
3. Major casualties
4. Unforeseeable circumstances

Which is TRUE concerning Spring tides?

1. Spring Tides have lows higher than normal and highs lower than normal
2. Spring Tides are always unpredictable
3. Spring Tides have lows lower than normal and highs higher than normal ✓
4. Spring Tides only occur in the spring of the year

Which scale is considered a harbor chart?

1. 1:150,000
2. not more than 1:25,000
3. not less than 1:500,000
4. 1:35,000 ✓

What does a pyrometer measure on a diesel engine?

1. Air box pressure
2. Water pressure
3. Exhaust temperature ✓
4. Water temperature

What is the name given to the strake on each side of the keel?

1. Gatewood strake
2. Insulation strake
3. Garboard strake ✓
4. Sheer strake

Your vessel is on an extended foreign voyage. Several vacancies have occurred in your unlicensed crew through sickness and repatriation. Which statement is correct?

1. Seamen to fill vacancies must be flown from U.S. to join the vessel in the foreign port.
2. Vacancies can only be filled by U.S. citizens with valid Merchant Mariner's Documents.
3. Qualified aliens may be employed to fill the vacancies. ✓
4. Aliens may be employed except that all U.S. flag vessels must maintain no less than 90% U.S. citizens in the crew.

When is the best time to work a boat into a slip?

1. At slack water ✓
2. When the current is setting against you
3. When there is a cross current
4. When the wind is against you

What is Metacentric height a measure of?

1. Stability through all angles
2. Initial stability only ✓
3. Maximum righting arm
4. Location of G above the keel

Your vessel is on a course of 082°T at 19 knots. At 0255 a light bears 059.5°T, and at 0312 the light bears 037°T. At what time and distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

1. 0333, 5.1 miles
2. 0321, 4.7 miles
3. 0327, 4.3 miles
4. 0324, 3.8 miles ✓

You are heading into the sea during rough weather. What may happen if there is too much weight forward in your small boat?

1. The craft will broach
2. The craft will rise rapidly over the wave
3. The craft may plunge into the wave ✓
4. The craft will list severely

What do the numbers on isobars indicate?

1. Wind speed
2. Temperature
3. Rain in inches
4. Barometric pressure ✓

You abandoned ship in the North Atlantic and one of the crew members is hypothermic. During a SAR helicopter extraction which lifting device should be avoided when hoisting this patient to the aircraft?

1. The rescue litter
2. The rescue basket
3. The rescue net
4. The rescue sling ✓

The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if which condition exists?

1. A boat will be used to recover the man
2. The conning officer is inexperienced
3. The vessel is very maneuverable ✓
4. The man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard

To lubricate the swivel or remove corrosion from a fire hose coupling, which should be used?

1. Graphite
2. Fresh water and soap ✓
3. Glycerine
4. Kerosene

You are plotting a running fix in an area where there is a determinable current. How should this current be treated in determining the position?

1. The current should be ignored.
2. The set should be applied to the second bearing.
3. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP. ✓
4. The drift should be added to the ship's speed.

Which is TRUE of Raster-scan chart data?

1. It is the only format recognized by IMO/IHO
2. It is organized into many separate files
3. It is composed of files that are smaller than vector files
4. It is a digitized "picture" of a chart in one format and one layer ✓

Before a magnetic compass is adjusted certain correctors must be checked to ensure that they are free of permanent magnetism. Which are the correctors?

1. Heeling magnet and Flinders bar
2. Flinders bar and quadrantal spheres ✓
3. Fore-and-aft and athwartships magnets
4. Dip needle and heeling magnet

Angular motion about the vertical axis of a vessel refers to which term?

1. Yaw ✓
2. Sway
3. Roll
4. Surge

One of your crew members falls overboard from the starboard side. You should IMMEDIATELY take which action?

1. Begin backing your engines
2. Position your vessel to windward and begin recovery
3. Apply left rudder
4. Throw the crew member a life preserver ✓

If, for any reason, it is necessary to abandon ship while far out at sea, it is important that the crew members should __________.

1. remain together in the area because rescuers will start searching at the vessel's last known position ✓
2. get away from the area because sharks will be attracted to the vessel
3. separate from each other as this will increase the chances of being rescued
4. immediately head for the nearest land

You are on a ship that has broken down and are preparing to be taken in tow. You will use your anchor cable as part of the towline. Which statement is TRUE?

1. The strain of the tow is taken by the riding pawl, chain stopper, and anchor windlass brake. ✓
2. The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be immediately astern of the towing vessel.
3. The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be just forward of your bow.
4. The anchor cable should be led out through a chock, if possible, to avoid a sharp nip at the hawsepipe lip.

Which publication contains information on navigation regulations, landmarks, channels, anchorages, tides, currents, and clearances of bridges for Chesapeake Bay?

1. Light List
2. Sailing Directions
3. Pilot Charts
4. Coast Pilot ✓