USCG Able Seafarer (Able Seaman) Limited

Under the COLREGS, which vessel has the highest priority in a stand-on situation?

• AA power-driven vessel underway
• BA vessel engaged in fishing
• CA vessel not under command
• DA sailing vessel

What is the meaning of one prolonged blast sounded by a power-driven vessel in restricted visibility?

• AI intend to overtake you on your starboard side
• BA power-driven vessel underway making way through the water
• CA vessel at anchor warning of her position
• DI am operating astern propulsion

Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which vessel is the give-way vessel?

• AThe vessel that has the other on her port side
• BThe vessel that has the other on her starboard side
• CThe smaller of the two vessels
• DThe vessel proceeding at higher speed

A vessel showing two all-round red lights in a vertical line at night is:

• AA vessel constrained by her draft
• BA pilot vessel on station
• CA vessel not under command
• DA vessel engaged in trawling

On the Inland Rules, what sound signal is used by a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another on the other vessel's starboard side?

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• CTwo prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
• DTwo prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

A red lateral buoy marked '4' under U.S. Aids to Navigation System indicates:

• ALeave the buoy to starboard when returning from sea
• BLeave the buoy to port when returning from sea
• CA safe water mark with no preferred channel
• DAn isolated danger to be passed on either side

Under International Rules, a vessel engaged in trawling underway displays which masthead arrangement?

• ATwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• BA green all-round light over a white all-round light
• CA red all-round light over a white all-round light
• DThree all-round red lights in a vertical line

Five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle in U.S. waters indicates:

• AA passing agreement has been reached
• BDoubt regarding the intent or action of the other vessel
• CReduced speed in restricted visibility
• DA vessel leaving a slip or berth

The primary duty of a lookout is:

• ATo assist the helmsman in steering the course
• BTo maintain a proper lookout by sight, hearing, and all available means
• CTo monitor the radar continuously and report all targets
• DTo answer the VHF radio when the watch officer is busy

In a narrow channel, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length shall NOT impede the passage of:

• AAny pleasure craft transiting the channel
• BA vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel
• CAny fishing vessel hauling gear
• DAny vessel engaged in dredging operations

When a vessel is anchored at night, where must the all-round white anchor light be displayed if she is less than 50 meters in length?

• AOn the masthead only
• BWhere it can best be seen
• CForward and at the stern
• DAft of the wheelhouse

Under the International Rules, a vessel constrained by her draft may exhibit which additional day shape?

• AA black ball
• BTwo black balls in a vertical line
• CThree black balls in a vertical line
• DA black cylinder

What does a single long blast of the whistle from a vessel leaving a dock or berth signify under the Inland Rules?

• AA warning signal to vessels in the vicinity
• BAn intention to back out of the berth
• CA request for pilot services
• DA man overboard signal

A safe water mark (red and white vertical stripes with a red spherical topmark) indicates:

• AAn isolated danger above water
• BNavigable water all around the mark, often a fairway or mid-channel
• CThe end of a dredged channel
• DA federal restricted area

Under Rule 19 in restricted visibility, when a vessel detects another forward of the beam by radar only, she shall avoid:

• AAny course change to starboard
• BA turn to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for one being overtaken
• CSlowing below maneuvering speed
• DUse of fog signals until visual contact

A 'safe speed' under Rule 6 is one that allows a vessel to:

• AMaintain the schedule posted in the company's standing orders
• BTake proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appr…
• CMatch the speed of surrounding traffic in a separation scheme
• DReach maximum economical RPM for the engine

Which statement about traffic separation schemes (TSS) is correct under Rule 10?

• ASailing vessels of any length may use the inshore traffic zone freely
• BVessels shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes
• CVessels less than 20 meters may anchor in a separation zone
• DFishing vessels may impede the passage of other vessels in the lane

Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on shall:

• AEach alter course to starboard so each passes on the port side of the other
• BEach alter course to port to pass starboard to starboard
• CContinue on present courses if neither overtakes the other
• DSound one short blast and slow to bare steerage

Variation on a nautical chart is found by referring to the:

• ATitle block of the chart
• BCompass rose
• CChart's edge scale
• DLatitude scale on the side

A vessel showing sidelights and a single white sternlight only — no masthead light — is most likely:

• AA power-driven vessel underway less than 7 meters in length
• BA sailing vessel underway
• CA vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
• DA pilot vessel on station

A flood current in a tidal river typically flows in which direction?

• AFrom the sea toward the head of the river
• BFrom the head of the river toward the sea
• CParallel to the wind regardless of tide
• DIn whichever direction the prevailing current sets

When approaching a bend in a channel where vessels coming from the opposite direction cannot be seen, a vessel shall sound:

• AOne short blast
• BOne prolonged blast
• CTwo short blasts
• DFive short blasts

Under International Rules, a pilot vessel on duty exhibits which masthead light combination?

• ARed over white
• BWhite over red
• CTwo whites in a vertical line
• DGreen over white

Which of the following is the BEST first action when risk of collision exists and ample sea room is available?

• ASound the danger signal and hold course
• BMake a large, early, and readily apparent alteration of course
• CReduce speed gradually while continuing on course
• DWait for the other vessel to clearly indicate her intention

Under the Inland Rules, when meeting another power-driven vessel head-on at night and you intend to leave her on your port side, you should sound:

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• CThree short blasts
• DOne prolonged blast

On a U.S. nautical chart, a number printed inside a triangle indicates:

• AA radio reporting point
• BA fixed daybeacon or piling
• CA magnetic anomaly
• DA depth in fathoms

Three short blasts of the whistle indicate:

• ADoubt regarding the other vessel's intent
• BOperating astern propulsion
• CIntent to alter course to port
• DA vessel leaving a berth

Which of the following is correct regarding 'in extremis' situations under the Rules?

• AThe stand-on vessel may not depart from the Rules under any condition
• BBoth vessels must alter to starboard regardless of geometry
• CDeparture from the Rules is required when necessary to avoid immediate danger
• DThe give-way vessel may stand on if she sounds the danger signal

The horizontal angle between true north and magnetic north at a particular location is called:

• ADeviation
• BVariation
• CCompass error
• DSet

A vessel engaged in towing with a tow length, measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow, exceeding 200 meters shall exhibit by day:

• AA black cone, apex downward
• BA diamond shape where it can best be seen
• CTwo black balls in a vertical line
• DThree black balls in a vertical line

What is the minimum sea service required to qualify for the Able Seafarer-Limited national endorsement under 46 CFR 12.401 (standard requirement)?

• A180 days
• B360 days
• C540 days
• D1,080 days

Which knot is most appropriate for joining two lines of different diameters?

• ABowline
• BSheet bend
• CSquare knot
• DClove hitch

When taking soundings with a lead line, a 'mark' refers to:

• AAny whole fathom on the line
• BSpecific fathom values identified by a piece of leather, cloth, or cord
• CThe first fathom from the lead only
• DThe depth at which the lead first touches bottom

An anchor's 'scope' is defined as the ratio of:

• AAnchor weight to vessel displacement
• BLength of rode paid out to depth of water measured from the bow chock to the bottom
• CChain length to wire-rope length aboard
• DWind speed to current speed

When mooring alongside a pier with current setting astern, the line typically led FORWARD from the bow to act against the current is called a:

• AStern line
• BBow breast line
• CForward bow spring line
• DAfter bow spring line

Which line is led from the stern of a vessel forward to the pier to prevent the vessel from surging aft?

• AForward bow spring
• BAfter bow spring
• CForward quarter spring (stern spring leading forward)
• DAfter quarter spring

The standing part of a line is:

• AThe free end being worked
• BThe portion not actively being used in tying a knot
• CThe bight formed by doubling the line
• DThe eye splice at the end of the line

Which knot is recommended for securing a line to a tapered or smooth spar where the load is applied parallel to the spar?

• AClove hitch
• BBowline
• CRolling hitch
• DSquare knot

The minimum requirement under 46 CFR for the splice in a wire-rope cargo runner is that the splice shall:

• AUse at least three tucks of each strand
• BHave a length of at least five times the rope diameter
• CUse full tucks against the lay, with at least three full tucks followed by two tucks with…
• DBe coated with epoxy and shrink-wrapped

If a deck crewmember falls overboard, the FIRST action of the watch is to:

• AThrow a life ring with smoke/light marker and shout 'man overboard'
• BCall the master before doing anything else
• CSteer immediately for the person without marking the position
• DStop the engine and drift to the person

Which Williamson Turn characteristic makes it the preferred recovery maneuver for a man overboard at night or in reduced visibility?

• AIt is the shortest maneuver in time and distance
• BIt returns the vessel on a reciprocal heading down the original track
• CIt minimizes rudder use and fuel burn
• DIt places the wreck to leeward of the survivor

An immersion suit reduces hypothermia risk by:

• AProviding buoyancy only
• BInsulating the wearer and limiting water entry to the suit
• CActivating chemical heat packs automatically
• DReflecting infrared radiation back to the wearer's body

Which class of marine portable fire extinguisher is intended primarily for flammable-liquid (oil and grease) fires?

• AClass A
• BClass B
• CClass C
• DClass D

A galley fire involving cooking oil is best fought with:

• AWater from a fire hose at full pressure
• BA Class K (wet chemical) extinguisher
• CA CO2 extinguisher only
• DClass A foam

Which of the following is NOT one of the four elements of the fire tetrahedron?

• AFuel
• BHeat
• COxygen
• DPressure

Boundary cooling during a shipboard fire is performed to:

• ACool the fire pump motor casings
• BPrevent the spread of heat through bulkheads and decks to adjacent spaces
• CReduce smoke in the fire space
• DLower the temperature of breathing apparatus cylinders

Before entering an enclosed space such as a chain locker or void, the FIRST safety check is to:

• AVerify communications with a person stationed outside
• BTest the atmosphere for oxygen, flammable gases, and toxics
• CDon a self-contained breathing apparatus
• DRig portable lighting

The MARPOL Annex I 'oil record book' must be kept aboard a U.S. vessel of 400 gross tons or more and:

• ADiscarded when full
• BRetained on board for three years after the last entry
• CRetained on board for one year and then archived ashore
• DRetained on board for ten years after the last entry