USCG Able Seafarer (Able Seaman) Unlimited

Under Rule 5 of the Navigation Rules, a proper lookout must be maintained by:

• ARadar alone whenever it is operating
• BSight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circums…
• CThe officer of the watch only
• DVHF radio monitoring of channel 16

You are steering a vessel and the bearing to another vessel remains constant while the range is decreasing. You should:

• AContinue your course and speed because the bearing is steady
• BAssume risk of collision exists and act accordingly
• CWait until the range decreases to one mile before maneuvering
• DSound one short blast and continue

Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on. Under Rule 14, each vessel shall:

• AAlter course to port so each passes starboard-to-starboard
• BAlter course to starboard so each passes port-to-port
• CStop engines and drift until the other vessel passes
• DHold course and speed; the larger vessel gives way

In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, which vessel is the give-way vessel under Rule 15?

• AThe vessel with the other on her own port side
• BThe vessel with the other on her own starboard side
• CThe larger vessel regardless of side
• DThe vessel showing range lights

An overtaking vessel is defined under Rule 13 as one approaching from a direction more than:

• A11.25 degrees abaft the beam
• B22.5 degrees abaft the beam
• C45 degrees abaft the beam
• D90 degrees forward of the beam

What lights would a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length display when underway at night?

• ASidelights and a sternlight only
• BTwo masthead lights, sidelights, and a sternlight
• COne masthead light, sidelights, and a sternlight
• DThree all-round red lights in a vertical line

At night, you see a single white light low to the water dead ahead. What might it be?

• AA vessel at anchor or a sternlight of a vessel ahead
• BA fishing vessel actively trawling
• CA vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
• DA sailing vessel of less than 7 meters

What day shape is displayed by a vessel not under command under Rule 27?

• AThree black balls in a vertical line
• BTwo black balls in a vertical line
• CA black diamond shape
• DA single black cone with the point down

A vessel constrained by her draft, in addition to her normal lights or shapes, may exhibit:

• ATwo all-round red lights or a cylinder
• BThree all-round red lights or a cylinder
• CTwo all-round green lights or a diamond
• DAn all-round white light

Under Rule 34, what sound signal indicates 'I am altering my course to starboard'?

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• CThree short blasts
• DFive or more short blasts

The danger or doubt signal under Rule 34(d) consists of:

• AOne prolonged blast
• BTwo prolonged blasts
• CAt least five short and rapid blasts
• DThree short blasts

In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound:

• AOne short blast every two minutes
• BOne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
• CTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
• DThree short blasts at intervals of one minute

What sound signal is required from a vessel at anchor of 100 meters or more in length, in restricted visibility?

• ARapid ringing of the bell forward only
• BRapid ringing of the bell forward and a gong sounded aft, each for about five seconds at…
• CContinuous sounding of the whistle
• DOne prolonged blast every two minutes

Lights and shapes prescribed in the Rules must be exhibited from sunset to sunrise and also:

• AOnly during fog
• BFrom sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other circums…
• COnly inside a harbor
• DWhenever the master orders, day or night

The arc of visibility of a masthead light extends:

• A112.5 degrees on each side, total 225 degrees
• BForward 225 degrees, evenly disposed about the centerline
• CAll-round 360 degrees
• DForward 135 degrees

Under Rule 18, which vessel generally must keep out of the way of all others except a vessel not under command or restricted in her ability to maneuver?

• AA vessel engaged in fishing
• BA power-driven vessel underway
• CA sailing vessel
• DA vessel constrained by her draft

A vessel engaged in trawling under Rule 26 displays at night:

• ATwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• BTwo all-round lights, the upper green and the lower white
• CTwo all-round green lights in a vertical line
• DThree all-round white lights

A sailing vessel underway at night must show:

• ASidelights, a sternlight, and a masthead light
• BSidelights and a sternlight only
• CAn all-round red light over an all-round green light
• DAll-round white light only

A vessel less than 7 meters in length at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway, or anchorage:

• AMust display an anchor ball and anchor light
• BIs not required to exhibit the lights or shape required for anchored vessels
• CMust display two all-round red lights
• DMust show a yellow flashing light

When approaching a bend in a channel where vessels coming from the other direction may be obscured, you should sound:

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

In the U.S. lateral buoyage system (IALA Region B), 'red right returning' means:

• AKeep red buoys on starboard side when entering from seaward
• BKeep red buoys on port side when entering from seaward
• CKeep red buoys on starboard side when going to sea
• DRed buoys mark wrecks

A green can buoy in U.S. waters indicates:

• AStarboard side of channel returning from sea
• BPort side of channel returning from sea
• CMid-channel safe water
• DIsolated danger

A red-and-white vertically striped buoy with a red spherical topmark indicates:

• AIsolated danger
• BSafe water or mid-channel
• CCardinal mark, north
• DRestricted area

A standard compass rose printed on a nautical chart usually shows:

• AOnly true direction
• BOnly magnetic direction
• CTrue direction on the outer ring and magnetic direction on the inner ring, with annual va…
• DOnly the magnetic deviation for your vessel

Variation on a nautical chart is:

• AThe angle between true north and magnetic north at a given location
• BThe angle between magnetic north and the vessel's compass heading
• CThe same as compass deviation
• DAlways zero on the magnetic equator

Soundings on a U.S. nautical chart marked in feet should be read as depths referenced to:

• AMean high water
• BThe chart datum, usually mean lower low water
• CThe waterline of your vessel
• DSea level at noon

When entering a narrow channel under Rule 9, a vessel shall:

• AKeep to the port side of the channel
• BKeep as near to the outer limit of the channel as is safe and practicable on her starboar…
• CAlways sound three blasts
• DAnchor and wait for traffic to clear

Under Rule 19 (conduct in restricted visibility), if you detect by radar alone a vessel forward of the beam and risk of collision exists, you should avoid:

• AAny course change
• BAn alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel…
• CAn alteration of course to starboard
• DReducing speed under any circumstances

A vessel engaged in towing where the length of the tow from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall display by day:

• AOne black ball
• BA diamond shape where it can best be seen
• CTwo cones, points together
• DA black cylinder

An all-round flashing yellow light is displayed by an air-cushion vessel operating in:

• ANon-displacement mode in addition to her normal power-driven lights
• BDisplacement mode only
• CPlace of sidelights
• DPlace of the sternlight

Inland navigation lights for a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside differ from international rules by including:

• ATwo yellow sternlights one above the other in lieu of a sternlight
• BA flashing blue light
• CThree all-round red lights
• DOnly an all-round white light

When two power-driven vessels meet head-on under Inland Rules and want to confirm a starboard-to-starboard passing, they should exchange:

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• CThree short blasts
• DFive short blasts

A magenta-colored circle on a U.S. chart symbolizes:

• AA privately maintained light
• BA lighted aid to navigation
• CA submarine cable
• DA traffic separation zone

A bowline is best described as a knot that:

• AForms a fixed loop that will not slip or jam under load
• BJoins two ropes of unequal size
• CSecures a line to a spar by friction wraps
• DPrevents a line from passing through a block

A clove hitch is most commonly used to:

• AJoin two lines of different diameters
• BSecure a line temporarily to a spar, post, or rail
• CStop the end of a rope from passing through a block
• DForm a non-slipping loop at the end of a line

Which knot is used to join two lines of unequal diameter?

• ASquare knot
• BBowline
• CSheet bend
• DRolling hitch

The square (reef) knot is best used for:

• ASecuring a heavy load that will be hauled aloft
• BJoining the two ends of a single line, such as reefing a sail or tying a bundle
• CTying to a ring under sustained load
• DHoisting a person aloft

A rolling hitch is most useful when you need to:

• ATake a strain on a spar or another taut line in line with the spar
• BForm a fixed loop in the middle of a line
• CJoin two ropes of equal diameter
• DStop the end of a rope from running through a block

A figure-eight knot is most commonly used to:

• AForm a fixed loop at the end of a line
• BJoin two lines together
• CPrevent the end of a rope from running through a block or fairlead
• DLift a heavy load aloft

A 'becket bend' is another name for which knot?

• ABowline
• BSheet bend
• CClove hitch
• DReef knot

Which line type generally floats, has good shock absorbency, but degrades under UV light?

• AManila
• BPolypropylene
• CNylon
• DPolyester (Dacron)

Synthetic line of which fiber is preferred for mooring because of its strength and elasticity?

• AManila
• BSisal
• CNylon
• DPolyethylene

When standing watch around mooring lines under tension, the safest position is:

• ADirectly in line with the lay of the line
• BInside the bight of a slack line
• COut of the line of recoil, clear of the snap-back zone
• DOn top of the bitt

A 'spring line' on a docked vessel:

• APrevents fore-and-aft movement along the dock
• BHolds the bow against the dock
• CPulls the stern off the dock
• DActs as a backup anchor line

When heaving a line ashore, the heaving line is typically weighted with:

• AA monkey's fist
• BA square knot
• CA heavy steel ball
• DA bowline loop

The 'bitter end' of an anchor chain is:

• AThe end attached to the anchor
• BThe inboard end secured inside the chain locker
• CThe free fall section of the chain
• DThe section just above the waterline

The ratio of length of anchor chain in use to the depth of water (plus freeboard) is called:

• AScope
• BSag
• CCatenary span
• DBend ratio