USCG Master Great Lakes and Inland 500-1600 GRT

As master on watch under Rule 5 (Inland and International), you must maintain a proper lookout by:

• ASight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
• BAIS alone when traffic density is low
• CRadar only in restricted visibility
• DVisual observation only when the vessel is less than 500 GRT

Rule 7(a) requires every vessel to use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances to determine whether risk of collision exists, and adds that:

• AIf there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist
• BRisk may be discounted whenever the other vessel is transmitting on AIS
• CRisk of collision arises only inside a traffic separation scheme
• DOnly the give-way vessel need make the determination

Under Rule 8(f), a vessel that is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall:

• ATake early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel
• BWait until risk of collision actually exists before taking any action
• CAssume the other vessel will give way if the situation develops
• DSound five short and rapid blasts and hold her course

Under both Inland and International Rules, any vessel overtaking any other shall:

• AKeep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken
• BMaintain course and speed until abeam
• CSound two prolonged blasts and stand on
• DAlter course to port only if the overtaken vessel is fishing

Under both the Inland and the International Rules, three short blasts on the whistle mean:

• AI am operating astern propulsion
• BI intend to overtake you on your starboard side
• CI am altering my course to port
• DI am in doubt as to your intentions

Under Inland Rules on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current shall:

• AHave the right-of-way over an upbound vessel and propose the manner of passage; the upbou…
• BAlways keep to the starboard side of the channel and never sound signals
• CYield to all upbound traffic because following current makes her less maneuverable
• DAnchor if another vessel is within 1 mile ahead

A power-driven vessel underway, making way, shall exhibit which navigation lights under the Rules?

• ASidelights, a sternlight, and a masthead light (or lights as required by length)
• BOnly a white all-round light at the masthead
• CSidelights only, when less than 50 meters
• DTwo red lights in a vertical line only

Under Rule 19 (conduct of vessels in restricted visibility), a vessel which detects by radar alone another vessel forward of her beam should:

• ADetermine if a close-quarters situation is developing and take avoiding action in ample t…
• BAlways turn hard to port to open the CPA
• CMaintain course and speed until visual contact is made
• DSound five short blasts and stop only after collision is imminent

Under Inland Rules, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. This is most closely associated with:

• ARule 9 (narrow channels)
• BRule 18 (responsibilities between vessels) only
• CRule 10 (traffic separation schemes) only
• DRule 13 (overtaking) only

The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation shall initially:

• AKeep her course and speed, but may take action if it becomes apparent the give-way vessel…
• BAlways stop engines immediately
• CAlter course to port across the give-way vessel's bow
• DSound one prolonged blast every two minutes

Under Inland Rules, when a power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on her starboard side in a narrow channel where the overtaken vessel must take action to permit safe passing, the overtaking vessel sounds:

• AOne short blast (I intend to overtake you on your starboard side)
• BTwo prolonged blasts followed by one short blast only under International Rules wording a…
• CFive short blasts only
• DOne prolonged and one short blast

A vessel not under command shall exhibit:

• ATwo all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen (and, if making w…
• BThree all-round green lights in a vertical line
• COnly sidelights and a sternlight
• DA single yellow flashing light

A vessel engaged in fishing shall, so far as possible:

• ANot impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane or navigating within a narr…
• BAlways stand on against power-driven vessels regardless of situation
• CDisplay only a white masthead light when trawling
• DIgnore Rule 18 responsibilities because fishing vessels have absolute priority

Safe speed under Rule 6 requires you to consider, among other factors:

• AVisibility, traffic density, maneuverability, background lights, wind/sea/current, and dr…
• BOnly the vessel's maximum continuous rated speed
• COnly the presence of a pilot on board
• DOnly whether AIS is transmitting

Under Inland Rules, a power-driven vessel of 100 meters or more in length at anchor shall sound, in restricted visibility:

• AA rapid ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds at intervals of not more than 1 minute, a…
• BOne prolonged blast every two minutes only
• CFive short blasts every minute
• DNo sound signals if riding to a single anchor

Action to avoid collision under Rule 8 should be:

• APositive, made in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship; c…
• BA series of small successive course changes that keep the other vessel guessing
• CDelayed until the other vessel is within 0.1 mile
• DLimited to radio calls only, with no helm or engine action

A vessel constrained by her draft, under International Rules, may exhibit:

• AThree all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder by day
• BTwo all-round green lights
• CA single yellow light flashing every second
• DOnly the lights of a vessel not under command

If you are the give-way vessel and take action under Rule 16, you shall:

• ATake early and substantial action to keep well clear
• BMaintain course and speed until the stand-on vessel acts
• CAlways reverse engines as the only acceptable action
• DSound five short blasts and then stand on

As master of a limited-tonnage inland/Great Lakes freighter, the person ultimately responsible for the vessel's safe navigation is:

• AThe master
• BThe pilot only when embarked
• CThe company Designated Person Ashore only
• DThe chief mate on the 4-8 watch only

When anchoring, scope is best defined as the ratio of:

• ALength of anchor rode in use to the depth of water (including height of bow above water a…
• BAnchor weight to chain weight only
• CShip's length to beam
• DHolding ground quality to wind speed

A single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller is backing with the rudder amidships. To bring the bow to starboard using the engine alone, the master would:

• AContinue backing, because transverse thrust walks the stern to port and therefore swings…
• BGo ahead, because transverse thrust when going astern walks the stern to starboard
• CPut the rudder hard to starboard while still backing, which will control the swing
• DAccept that nothing can influence the heading of a single-screw vessel while backing

The detachable links joining shots of anchor chain are painted and their adjacent links wired so that the officer on the forecastle can:

• AReport how much cable is out as it runs, by counting the shot markings as they pass the w…
• BIdentify the chain's manufacturer while heaving
• CMeasure the depth of water directly from the cable
• DDetermine the vessel's displacement from the weight of chain veered

Rat guards fitted on a vessel's mooring lines while alongside are there to:

• AStop rodents from boarding the vessel by travelling along the lines
• BIncrease the breaking strength of the mooring line
• CProtect the line from abrasion where it bears in the chock
• DDisplay the line's safe working load to the linesmen

Load line marks assigned to a Great Lakes vessel include fresh water marks because:

• AFresh water is less dense than salt water, so the same weight of ship floats deeper in it
• BLoad line marks may be submerged at will on inland waters
• CLoad line rules apply only to vessels on international voyages
• DFreeboard is measured from the keel to the truck of the mast

When heaving up the anchor, if the chain tends dead ahead and grows vertical as the vessel comes over the anchor, the anchor is said to be:

• AAweigh when it breaks out and is clear of the bottom
• BFoul always when vertical
• CShort stay only when the flukes are still buried with slack chain
• DCatted once the chain is vertical

For a limited-tonnage master on GLI routes, standing orders to the mate on watch should primarily ensure:

• AClear criteria for calling the master, maintaining a proper lookout, safe speed, and navi…
• BThat the mate never adjusts engine RPM without shore office approval
• CThat AIS is turned off in all harbors
• DThat the lookout is optional when the mate is alone on the bridge

In ground-tackle terminology, to 'veer' the cable means to:

• APay out chain in a controlled manner, usually against the windlass brake
• BHeave the cable in until it is up and down
• CSecure the cable with the devil's claw or chain stopper
• DRelease the inboard end so the anchor and cable are left behind

When making fast with synthetic mooring lines on a vessel subject to surge in a lock or at a quay, a key master-level concern is:

• ASudden load spikes and snap-back hazard if a line parts under tension
• BThat synthetic lines never absorb energy and so never snap back
• CThat synthetic lines should always be led across sharp steel without protection
• DThat only wire rope may be used for breast lines inland

GM (metacentric height) is an indicator of:

• AInitial stability — the vessel's initial resistance to small angles of heel
• BLongitudinal strength only
• CThe vessel's maximum freeboard in tropical zones only
• DPropulsive efficiency of the propeller

A vessel's righting arm (GZ) at a given angle of heel is:

• AThe horizontal distance between the forces of weight and buoyancy acting to right the ves…
• BAlways equal to GM regardless of heel angle
• CThe vertical distance from keel to the center of buoyancy only
• DNegative whenever freeboard is positive

When shifting a limited-tonnage dry-bulk cargo inland, draft survey principles estimate cargo loaded or discharged primarily from:

• AChanges in displacement derived from observed drafts, density, and the vessel's hydrostat…
• BOnly the shore scale ticket without any draft check
• CRadar mast height changes only
• DEngine RPM and fuel consumption only

On deck machinery, the purpose of a devil's claw (or chain stopper arrangement used with the windlass) is to:

• ASecure the chain and take the load off the windlass while riding at anchor or when securi…
• BMeasure chain length in fathoms automatically
• CGrease the wildcat continuously while heaving
• DRelease the bitter end in the locker only

Before getting underway after loading, a master should verify that:

• AHatches/openings are properly secured, drafts and stability are acceptable, navigation ge…
• BOnly the AIS is on; no other checks are required on inland routes
• CLifeboats are left unsecured for faster launching
• DFire pumps are isolated so they cannot start accidentally

When working cargo with a ship's crane or deck gear, the master should ensure loads stay within:

• AThe certified safe working load (SWL) of the gear for the boom angle/configuration in use
• BTwice the SWL if the lift is for only a few seconds
• CAny weight if the cargo is bagged grain
• DThe breaking strength of the wire with no safety factor

Trim is best described as:

• AThe difference between forward and after drafts (by the head or by the stern)
• BThe angle of list due to off-center weight only
• CThe free surface correction in a slack tank only
• DThe height of the metacenter above the keel

A "short stay" when at anchor means:

• ARelatively little scope remains out; the chain is short and the vessel is close to being…
• BThe vessel has just arrived and has not yet dropped the anchor
• CThe full scope is out with maximum holding power
• DThe anchor is catted and secured for sea

On a vessel with a right-handed single screw, when the engine is put ASTERN, the stern typically kicks (walks):

• ATo port
• BTo starboard
• CStraight aft with no side component
• DOnly if a bow thruster is running

The primary purpose of a sea painter on a rescue boat or lifeboat is to:

• AKeep the boat alongside or under control relative to the ship while launching/recovering…
• BServe as the boat's only permanent mooring line in port
• CReplace the need for a coxswain during launch
• DMeasure the distance to the horizon

When taking a tow on a short hawser in confined inland waters, a major handling concern is:

• AReduced ability to maneuver, yawing, and interaction effects between tug/tow and banks or…
• BThat short hawsers eliminate all yaw
• CThat COLREGS no longer apply to the tow
• DThat speed may be increased without limit because control improves

Logbooks required on a U.S. inspected vessel typically include entries that document:

• ANavigational activities, drills, casualties, and other required operational and safety ev…
• BOnly fuel prices at the last bunker port
• COnly the master's personal opinions about crew performance
• DOnly cargo stow factor tables

The first action upon discovering a fire in an accommodation space should generally be to:

• ARaise the alarm / notify the bridge and attempt to contain/extinguish if safe, then fight…
• BOpen all doors and portholes to ventilate before calling anyone
• CLeave the vessel immediately without informing the bridge
• DSecure only the engine room ventilation and ignore the accommodation

The main danger in playing a straight water stream onto a burning fuel oil spill is that:

• AThe stream splashes and spreads the burning liquid, enlarging the fire
• BWater reacts chemically with fuel oil to produce hydrogen
• CWater conducts electricity, and fuel oil fires are always electrical
• DWater lowers the flash point of the oil

A CO2 fixed fire-extinguishing system in a machinery space is effective primarily because CO2:

• ADisplaces oxygen and interrupts the fire tetrahedron when the space is properly sealed
• BCools the fuel surface more effectively than water fog in all cases
• CIncreases oxygen content to dilute flammable vapors
• DIs safe for occupied spaces without evacuation

Free surface effect in a slack tank:

• AReduces effective GM and can seriously impair stability
• BAlways increases GM
• CHas no effect if the tank is off-center
• DOnly occurs in completely full tanks

An angle of loll is most commonly associated with:

• ANegative initial GM causing the vessel to settle at an angle where residual stability is…
• BExcessive double-bottom ballast only when GM is very large
• CA permanent structural list from grounding damage only
• DA compass error of more than 15 degrees

In damage control after hull flooding, counterflooding should be used:

• AOnly with careful calculation to reduce heel/trim without critically losing residual stab…
• BImmediately on every flooding casualty without assessment
• COnly to completely fill the engine room first
• DNever on inland vessels because stability rules do not apply

Personal flotation devices (PFDs) on board must be:

• ASufficient in number and suitable type, readily accessible, and in serviceable condition
• BLocked in the master's stateroom only
• COptional on inspected vessels under 1600 GRT on the Great Lakes
• DPainted black to reduce UV damage only

When abandoning ship into a survival craft, the preferred general sequence emphasizes:

• AMuster, don immersion suits/PFDs as required, board as directed, clear the vessel, and ac…
• BJump overboard immediately without a lifejacket if the water is calm
• CStay aboard until the vessel is fully submerged in all cases
• DLeave the EPIRB on the bridge to mark the wreck