Wheelhouse Prep

Tank Vessel – Assistant, Revision & Practice Exams

Tank Vessel – Assistant. Built from official USCG NMC sample examinations (public domain).
Content last updated 12 June 2026

Revision Mode

Revise with instant feedback: the moment you pick an answer you see whether it was right, with the explanation where available. Untimed — ideal before you sit a mock exam. Questions you miss keep coming back until you know them.

Modules to include
Number of questions

Exam Mode

Exam-day conditions: no feedback until you submit, each module scored separately like the real test, with a full question-by-question review at the end.

Modules to include
Exam length
Timer (optional)

The real exam is passed module by module: Rules of the Road requires 90%, most other modules 70%. Chart-plotting modules are taken on paper and not included.

Modules & your progress

Unlock the full question bank

The free sample gives you 20 to 30 questions per module. The full bank contains every available official question, with written explanations on the popular small-vessel credentials, one-off $29, lifetime access on up to 3 devices, all credentials included.

Score history

Frequently asked questions

What score do I need to pass the Tank Vessel – Assistant exam?

You must pass each module separately. Most modules require 70% to pass.

What modules are on the Tank Vessel – Assistant exam?

The exam covers 2 modules: Tankship Dangerous Liquids, Tankship Liquefied Gases.

How many practice questions are available for Tank Vessel – Assistant?

This page includes free sample questions drawn from the official USCG sample examinations, with a full bank of around 99 questions across all modules available with lifetime access.

Are these real USCG exam questions?

Every question comes from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center's published sample examinations, which are U.S. government works in the public domain. Wheelhouse Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Do I need to create an account?

No. The free practice tests work in your browser with no signup. Your score history is saved on your own device.

Sample Tank Vessel – Assistant practice questions

A selection of free questions from the official USCG sample examinations. Use the interactive modules above for timed, scored drills.

In order to reduce the accumulation of static electricity while loading petroleum products, you should __________.

  1. increase the air flow into the tank
  2. start to load slowly ✓
  3. use the overall method of loading only
  4. start to load at maximum pressure

Which topic is NOT required to be discussed at the pre-transfer conference?

  1. Emergency shutdown procedures
  2. Identity of the product to be transferred
  3. Estimated time of finishing cargo ✓
  4. Details of transferring and receiving systems

The person in charge on the vessel and the person in charge at the facility must hold a meeting before starting the transfer of oil. Who must decide to start the transfer?

  1. The person in charge at the facility
  2. Both persons in charge ✓
  3. The person in charge of either place that is doing the pumping
  4. The person in charge on the vessel

Why: Federal oil-transfer regulations (33 CFR 156) require a pre-transfer conference, and pumping may begin only when both persons in charge agree. Neither the vessel PIC nor the facility PIC may start the transfer unilaterally.

Show all 20 sample questions with answers & explanations

In reference to accidental oil pollution, the most critical time during bunkering is when __________.

  1. Final topping off is occurring ✓
  2. Hoses are being disconnected
  3. You first start to receive fuel
  4. Hoses are being blown down

When stripping a tank, what is caused by excessive air in the suction line?

  1. loss of suction ✓
  2. back pressure
  3. an over-pressurized line
  4. increase of suction

How can you determine which grades of cargo a tank vessel is permitted to carry?

  1. examine the cargo tanks and fittings
  2. ask the terminal supervisor or his representative
  3. check the loading order
  4. refer to the vessel's Certificate of Inspection ✓

What causes the most frequent incidents of pollution during tanker operations?

  1. routine discharge of oil during ballasting and tank crude oil washing
  2. groundings
  3. loading operations ✓
  4. collisions

How should pinching of the cargo hose between the vessel and the dock be prevented?

  1. tying off the topping lifts and runners to winch heads
  2. laying out an excess length of hose on deck
  3. adjusting the hose supports ✓
  4. install hose preventers

U.S. regulations state that no person may transfer oil to or from a vessel unless which of the following conditions is met?

  1. a representative sample has been taken from the oil being received
  2. oil residue has been drained from all hoses
  3. an oil containment boom is available for immediate use
  4. all parts of the transfer system have been properly lined up ✓

46 CFR directs the location of fuel oil sounding tubes and access openings for fuel oil tanks on cargo vessels. Where can the tubes be located?

  1. Laundries
  2. Crew lounge
  3. Washrooms
  4. Cargo-holds ✓

Who enforces the U.S. pollution regulations that apply to ships?

  1. State Pollution Board
  2. Port Authority
  3. U.S. Coast Guard ✓
  4. Corps of Engineers

Which of the following describes the flash point temperature of a liquid?

  1. at which a liquid will explode
  2. at which a liquid will give off inflammable vapors ✓
  3. that a liquid must reach before it will flow readily
  4. at which a liquid will burn steadily

U.S. regulations require a meeting before starting any oil transfer operation. Who must be in attendance at this meeting?

  1. terminal supervisor, master of the vessel and the Coast Guard
  2. master and chief engineer of the vessel and the terminal supervisor
  3. person in charge of the oil transfer operations on the vessel and the person in charge of the oil transfer operations at the facility ✓
  4. master of the vessel and the terminal superintendent

What is the maximum allowable oxygen content within the ships cargo tanks, inert gas piping and the vapor recovery system?

  1. 4%
  2. 5%
  3. 8% ✓
  4. 10%

Your vessel is taking on cargo oil when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. What action should you take before you resume pumping?

  1. repair the hose with a patch
  2. notify the terminal superintendent
  3. place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers
  4. replace the hose ✓

Cargo hose carried on tank vessels shall be able to withstand a pressure of at least how many psi?

  1. 75 psi
  2. 100 psi
  3. 120 psi
  4. 150 psi ✓

What should be the first consideration when discharging an oil cargo?

  1. get the bow up ✓
  2. discharge from amidships first
  3. discharge from the centerline tanks first
  4. discharge from the wings first

What is the required gas supply capacity of an inert gas system?

  1. 125% of fan capacity
  2. 125% of forced draft rate
  3. 125% of cargo pump capacity ✓
  4. 125% of shore side loading rate

Your tank vessel is loaded down to her marks, and you find that she has too much trim by the stern. Which of the following actions would reduce the excessive trim?

  1. discharge cargo from the after tanks
  2. shift bunkers forward ✓
  3. add ballast forward
  4. load more cargo forward

The cargo pump relief valve is usually piped to which of the following components?

  1. cargo pump pressure gauge
  2. suction side of pump ✓
  3. atmosphere through pump vent
  4. crossover line