Master of Unlimited Tonnage, Revision & Practice Exams

What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel aft of the parallel mid-body?

1. Stern
2. Run ✓
3. Counter
4. Flow

Why is a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) with a 30,000 Shaft Horsepower Steam Turbine slow to respond to engine movements, and has less stopping power than normal ships?

1. They have a bigger propeller
2. They have smaller power to weight ratio ✓
3. They have larger power to weight ratio
4. They possess smaller propellers

While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ships foghorn 5.5 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

1. 3450 ft (1052 meters)
2. 3072 ft (936 meters) ✓
3. 3825 ft (1166 meters)
4. 2475 ft (754 meters)

You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a green can buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is TRUE?

1. You should leave the buoy to port. ✓
2. You should pass the buoy close aboard on either side.
3. The yellow square is retro-reflective material used to assist in sighting the buoy at night.
4. The buoy marks the end of the ICW in that area.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service is concerned with which document on a vessel making preliminary entry into a U.S. port from a foreign port?

1. Shipping Articles
2. Curio List
3. Crew List form I-418 ✓
4. Certified Cargo Manifest

What is the function of an air receiver in the compressed air system?

1. Condenses moisture
2. Provides overpressure protection
3. Utilized to store compressed air ✓
4. Purifies the air

When does a current perpendicular to a vessel's track have the greatest effect on the vessel's course made good?

1. In shallow water
2. At high vessel speeds
3. In deep water
4. At low vessel speeds ✓

Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna more important than the power output wattage of the radio?

1. Sea water absorbs the radiated energy
2. The air is more dense the higher you go
3. Salt water is a poor conductor of sound
4. VHF communications are basically "line of sight" ✓

Geographic range is the maximum distance at which a light may be seen under which conditions?

1. Existing visibility conditions, limited only by the intensity of the light
2. Permitting visibility conditions, limited only by interference from background lighting
3. Permitting visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth ✓
4. Existing visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth

The possibility of wake damage can be reduced by following which action?

1. Slow down when passing moored vessels ✓
2. Alternate engine speeds
3. Apply rudder in both port and starboard directions
4. Passing close aboard to the moored vessel

When is the effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel most noticeable?

1. When turning
2. When going full ahead
3. When backing ✓
4. When going slow ahead

You have taken another vessel in tow. Which is an indicator that the towing speed is too fast?

1. The tow line feels like it is "jumping" when touched
2. The catenary comes clear of the water ✓
3. The vessels are not in step
4. The towed vessel goes "in irons"

Your stability calculations indicate your vessel has a marginal GM. Which of the following is the most effective way to increase the stability of the vessel?

1. Raise the center of buoyancy and reduce freeboard
2. Lower the center of gravity and raise reserve buoyancy ✓
3. Raise the center of gravity and raise the center of buoyancy
4. Lower the center of buoyancy and raise the center of gravity

What does a white buoy with an orange circle marked on it indicate?

1. A mooring buoy
2. Vessels are excluded from the area
3. Operating restrictions are in effect ✓
4. Danger

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes which item?

1. Coast Pilots ✓
2. Sailing Directions
3. Pilot charts
4. Light Lists

You are outbound in a buoyed channel on course 015°T. You sight a white light showing a Morse (A) characteristic bearing 359° relative. For safety, which action should you take?

1. Change course to 359°T to pass near to the buoy
2. Check the chart to see where the marked danger lies in relation to the buoy
3. Stay in the channel and leave the buoy to port ✓
4. Alter course to 000°T and leave the buoy close on the starboard side

Which frontal system occurs when a cold air mass and a warm air mass meet, and there is no horizontal motion of either air mass?

1. An occluded front
2. A warm front
3. A stationary front ✓
4. A cold front

How is Argon classified?

1. Flammable liquid
2. Corrosive
3. Nonflammable gas ✓
4. Flammable gas

Your vessel is proceeding through a narrow channel. What actions can you take to avoid any sudden sheers of the vessel?

1. Reduce speed and stay to the outer limits of the channel
2. Put your offshore anchor well in the water
3. Reduce speed and stay in the deepest part of the channel ✓
4. Increase speed and stay to the outer limits of the channel

How long is a credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for apprentice mate (steersman) of Towing Vessels valid for?

1. 2 years and must be renewed
2. 3 years and must be renewed
3. 5 years and must be renewed ✓
4. None of the above

What is NOT true regarding a Lloyd's Open Form (LOF) Salvage Agreement?

1. The agreement between vessels can be made via VHF
2. The LOF is subject to the law of the country the two parties agree upon ✓
3. There is a bonus to the salvage award if environmental casualty is averted
4. If salvage is not successful, vessel owes salvor nothing

When does a vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker, display a flag hoist consisting of the code numeral "4"?

1. When the vessel stops
2. When it becomes icebound ✓
3. Any time the speed begins to drop
4. If it receives ice damage

On a vessel proceeding from a very cold to a warm climate with a cargo of a non-hygroscopic nature in the holds, which is TRUE?

1. The possibility of any sweat problem, either cargo or ship, is remote.
2. Danger of heavy ship sweat exists; constant and vigorous ventilation is required.
3. There is little danger of ship's sweat, slight possibility of cargo sweat; moderate ventilation is needed.
4. There is danger of heavy cargo sweat if outside air is introduced by ventilation. ✓

Which is TRUE before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn?

1. The Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course ✓
2. The Master must first request the Pilot to take corrective action
3. The Master should agree to sign a release of liability form
4. The vessel must be in extremis

A synonym for chloroform is __________.

1. sulfuric chlorohydrin
2. trichloromethane ✓
3. chlorine gas
4. 4-methyl phenol

Which best describes an anchor buoy?

1. A black ball that is hoisted when the ship anchors
2. A buoy attached to the scope of an anchor chain
3. A mark of the number of fathoms in an anchor chain
4. A buoy attached to the anchor ✓

Which is TRUE for a vessel's Certificate of Documentation?

1. It may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
2. It must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
3. It must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator
4. It must be carried on board ✓

Ice concentration is measured in tenths. What concentration range of ice corresponds to "Open Pack"?

1. < 1 tenth
2. 1 - 3 tenths
3. 4 - 6 tenths ✓
4. 7 - 8 tenths

When a vessel signals its distress by means of a gun or other explosive signal, the firing should be at approximately which time intervals?

1. 10 minutes
2. 1 hour
3. 1 minute ✓
4. 3 minutes

What condition will result in the automatic shutdown of a diesel engine?

1. Excessive turbo charger speed
2. Low lube oil pressure ✓
3. High jacket water pressure
4. High lube oil pressure

An aircraft has indicated that he wants you to change course and follow him. You cannot comply because of an emergency on board. Which signal should you make?

1. Send the Morse signal "N" by flashing light ✓
2. Make an "S" turn (hard right then hard left) and resume course
3. Fire a red flare at night or a red smoke signal by day
4. Make a round turn (360°) and resume course

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

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

Normally, where is the potable water systems directly connected to?

1. The feed-water system
2. The potable water tank ✓
3. The vessel's fire-main system
4. A freshwater sanitary system

What is the purpose of the tricing pendants?

1. They provide suspensions for the manropes
2. They hold a lifeboat next to the embarkation deck while loading ✓
3. They control the fore and aft motion of a lifeboat during lowering
4. They control the outboard swing of a lifeboat during lowering

An inflatable liferaft is thrown into the water from a sinking vessel. What should occur after the painter trips the CO2 bottles to inflate the raft?

1. The floor will automatically inflate.
2. The painter will detach from the raft.
3. If upside down, the craft will right itself.
4. The sea anchor should be deployed as soon you are away from the vessel. ✓

Inflatable liferafts are less maneuverable than lifeboats due to their _________.

1. shallow draft
2. shape
3. large sail area
4. All of the above ✓

Which of the following aspects of a flooded space will most adversely affect transverse stability if it is subject to free communication?

1. On the centerline
2. Off-center ✓
3. Open to the sea above and below the waterline
4. Completely flooded

Why are diesel engines considered safer than gasoline engines?

1. They operate at a lower speed
2. They are more heavily built
3. They can be easily reversed
4. The fuel used is less volatile ✓

The lever shown in illustration D013SA below is operated when a lifeboat is in which of the following positions?

1. When waterborne ✓
2. While at the embarkation deck
3. As it is being lowered to sea level
4. In the secured position in the davit

A galley grease fire on the stove may be extinguished using _______.

1. water
2. the range hood extinguishing system ✓
3. fire dampers
4. foam

Which of the buoys listed below could be used to mark an anchorage?

1. Yellow buoy lettered "N" ✓
2. White buoy numbered "3"
3. White buoy with orange bands
4. White buoy with a green top

Magnets in the binnacles of magnetic compasses are used to reduce which effect?

1. Local attraction
2. Variation
3. Deviation ✓
4. Static build-up

Which publication lists Class I and II private aids to navigation in or along navigable waters of the United States?

1. List of Private Aids
2. Aids to Navigation Manual
3. Light List ✓
4. Sailing Directions

Which nautical charts are intended for coastwise navigation outside of outlying reefs and shoals?

1. Approach charts
2. General charts ✓
3. Coastal charts
4. Sailing charts

The nominal range of a light may be accurately defined as the maximum distance at which a light may be seen __________.

1. with ten miles visibility ✓
2. under existing visibility conditions
3. with fifteen miles visibility
4. under perfect visibility

Illustration D011NG below represents the geographic location of a vessel and the radar presentation at the same time. Which statement is TRUE?

1. Ship No. 2 is not detected due to the side lobe effect of radar reflecting from the mountain.
2. A tangent bearing of the headland to the south-southeast is corrected by subtracting one-half of the beam width.
3. Small island is not detected due to the multiple echo effect from the mountain.
4. Ship No. 1 does not appear as an individual target due to the effect of beam width. ✓

While passing through Memphis, the weather report on the TV news indicates that a cold front is crossing western Kentucky and Tennessee. Tomorrow's weather will be dominated by a high-pressure area. What weather should you expect tomorrow?

1. Low overcast; mild temperatures with light, steady rain or drizzle
2. Light, southerly winds; high humidity and possibly fog
3. Moderate winds from the northwest, clear visibility and cooler temperatures ✓
4. Scattered clouds with light, southeasterly winds; high humidity and possible fog

Which is TRUE concerning Light Lists for coastal waters?

1. They are published every five years and require no correction
2. They are accurate through NM number on title page and must be corrected ✓
3. They are published every second year and must be corrected
4. They are published every year and require no corrections

Which is TRUE of an aneroid barometer?

1. An instrument that is used to measure the height of waves
2. An instrument used to measure the speed of wind
3. An instrument in which the pressure of the air is measured ✓
4. An instrument that tells which direction a storm is coming from

While steaming at 15.0 knots, your vessel consumes 326 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 178 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

1. 8.1 knots
2. 12.2 knots ✓
3. 11.1 knots
4. 8.5 knots

Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 20 while using a single belt loader to arrive at a desired mean keel draft of 29'-06"? (Use the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN.)

1. 1550 tons
2. 2920 tons ✓
3. 3010 tons
4. 3515 tons

A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is south of an approaching eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience which condition?

1. A southwest to west wind ✓
2. A falling barometer
3. Either rain or snow
4. The lowering clouds and drizzle

What speed do most bow thrusters generally become ineffective?

1. At any speed ahead
2. Over 3 knots headway ✓
3. Over 1 knot sternway
4. At any speed astern

An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "I" (India) to signify that "__________".

1. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water
2. I am altering my course to port ✓
3. I am operating astern propulsion
4. I am altering my course to starboard

Which condition must be met during a stability test on an inspected vessel?

1. Each tank must be partially full to show it does not leak
2. All dunnage, tools, and extraneous items are secured
3. The vessel must be moored snugly
4. Water under vessel must be deep enough to prevent grounding ✓