USCG Master/Mate 200-Ton Captain License

Under Rule 5 of the COLREGS and Inland Rules, a proper lookout must be maintained by:

• ARadar alone whenever electronic equipment is operating
• BSight and hearing as well as all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstan…
• CThe licensed master only, without help from deck crew
• DMonitoring VHF traffic and AIS targets from the chart table

You take a series of compass bearings on an approaching vessel and the bearing remains nearly steady while the range is closing. What does Rule 7 require you to assume?

• AThere is no risk because both vessels are still well apart
• BThe other vessel must be a stand-on vessel and will hold course
• CRisk of collision exists
• DThe other vessel is overtaking you from astern

Rule 6 (Safe Speed) lists additional factors that apply specifically when:

• AThe vessel is moored to a pier or anchored
• BOperational radar is being used aboard the vessel
• CThe vessel is operating under sail without engines
• DVisibility exceeds five nautical miles

Rule 8 requires that any action taken to avoid collision must be:

• APositive, made in ample time, and large enough to be readily apparent
• BDelayed until the other vessel sounds a danger signal
• CMade as a series of small course changes spaced over several minutes
• DLimited to engine adjustments rather than course alterations

If there is any doubt whether risk of collision exists, the Rules direct you to:

• AAssume there is no risk until the other vessel sounds five short blasts
• BAssume risk of collision exists
• CStand on and maintain course and speed until CPA equals zero
• DWait for direction from Vessel Traffic Service before maneuvering

Two power-driven vessels are meeting on nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision. What does Rule 14 require each vessel to do?

• AAlter course to port so both pass starboard to starboard
• BEach vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port to port
• CThe smaller vessel stops while the larger vessel continues ahead
• DThe vessel with right-of-way holds course while the other turns away

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

• AThe vessel that has the other on her starboard side
• BThe vessel that has the other on her port side
• CThe faster vessel, regardless of relative position
• DThe vessel with the higher masthead light

Under Rule 13, a vessel is considered to be overtaking another when she is approaching from a direction more than:

• A11.25 degrees abaft the beam
• B22.5 degrees abaft the beam
• C45 degrees abaft the beam
• D67.5 degrees abaft the beam

In a crossing situation, when may the stand-on vessel take action to avoid collision?

• AOnly after sounding the danger signal five times
• BOnly when authorized by Vessel Traffic Service
• CWhen it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
• DNever, because the stand-on vessel must always hold course and speed

Rule 18 establishes a general 'pecking order' for responsibilities between vessels. Which of the following lists vessels in correct order of priority, from most privileged to least?

• APower-driven, sailing, fishing, restricted in ability to maneuver, not under command
• BNot under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, fishing, sailing, power-driven
• CSailing, power-driven, not under command, fishing, restricted in ability to maneuver
• DRestricted in ability to maneuver, power-driven, fishing, sailing, not under command

When two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision and each has the wind on a different side, which vessel must keep out of the way?

• AThe vessel with the wind on the starboard side
• BThe vessel with the wind on the port side
• CThe vessel ahead, regardless of wind
• DThe vessel making the greater speed through the water

In a narrow channel under Rule 9, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not:

• AUse the channel at any time
• BAnchor anywhere within sight of the channel
• CImpede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel
• DShow any navigation lights while in the channel

In restricted visibility, a vessel that detects another vessel by radar alone and forward of her beam should generally avoid:

• AAltering course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, except when overtaking
• BReducing speed to bare steerageway
• CSounding a fog signal
• DCalling the other vessel on VHF

A power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility sounds what fog signal?

• AOne short blast every two minutes
• BOne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• CTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• DThree short blasts every minute

A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water sounds, in restricted visibility:

• AOne prolonged blast every 2 minutes
• BTwo prolonged blasts with about 2 seconds between them, at intervals of not more than 2 m…
• CThree short blasts every 2 minutes
• DA continuous bell ringing for not less than 5 seconds

A vessel at anchor in restricted visibility (and less than 100 meters in length) is required to:

• ASound one prolonged blast every minute
• BRing a bell rapidly for about 5 seconds at intervals of not more than 1 minute
• CSound three short blasts every 2 minutes
• DMaintain silence so other vessels can detect it by radar

Inland Rules: a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another vessel on her starboard side in a power-driven crossing or overtaking situation sounds what whistle signal?

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

International Rules: what does one short blast from a power-driven vessel underway and in sight of another vessel signify?

• AI am altering my course to starboard
• BI am altering my course to port
• CI am operating astern propulsion
• DI require a pilot

The danger or doubt signal sounded by a power-driven vessel in sight of another vessel is:

• AThree short blasts
• BFour short blasts
• CAt least five short and rapid blasts
• DOne prolonged followed by one short blast

A power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length, underway, displays at night:

• AA masthead light, sidelights, and a sternlight
• BTwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a sternlight
• CAll-round white, sidelights, and a stern flare
• DAn all-round red light over an all-round white light

At night you see two all-round red lights in a vertical line on a vessel. What does this signal under the Rules?

• AVessel constrained by her draft
• BVessel not under command
• CVessel engaged in towing
• DVessel at anchor and aground

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver displays which day shape arrangement?

• ATwo black balls in a vertical line
• BBall over diamond over ball, in a vertical line
• CA single black diamond
• DA black cylinder

At night you observe a green light over a white light on a vessel. The vessel is most likely:

• AEngaged in trawling
• BA pilot vessel on station
• CTowing astern with a tow length over 200 meters
• DConstrained by her draft

Which lights identify a pilot vessel on pilotage duty?

• ARed over white, all-round, in a vertical line
• BWhite over red, all-round, in a vertical line
• CRed over green, all-round, in a vertical line
• DGreen over white, all-round, in a vertical line

A vessel at anchor less than 50 meters in length must display at night:

• AOne all-round white light where it can best be seen
• BTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• CRed over white over red, all-round
• DSidelights and a sternlight only

By day, a vessel aground exhibits:

• AA single black ball
• BThree black balls in a vertical line
• CA black diamond
• DTwo black cones with points together

Sidelights on a power-driven vessel must be visible from dead ahead to how many degrees abaft the beam on each side?

• A10 degrees
• B22.5 degrees
• C67.5 degrees
• D112.5 degrees

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

• AA single black ball forward
• BA diamond shape where it can best be seen
• CTwo black balls in a vertical line
• DA red flag at the stern

Inland Rules: at the bend of a channel where vessels approaching one another cannot be seen, a vessel nearing the bend shall sound:

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• COne prolonged blast
• DFive short and rapid blasts

A traffic separation scheme (TSS) requires vessels using it to:

• AProceed in any direction so long as risk of collision is avoided
• BProceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow and keep…
• CAnchor only in the separation zone for safety
• DCross lanes whenever convenient as long as VHF is monitored

Safe speed under Rule 6 is best described as the speed at which a vessel can:

• AAlways maintain her cruising RPM
• BTake proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appr…
• CMaintain full steerageway in any sea state
• DMake her scheduled arrival time

Inland Rules: a vessel intending to cross or overtake another in a power-driven crossing situation must reach agreement before maneuvering using:

• AWhistle signals only, with no VHF allowed
• BEither whistle signals or, by agreement, bridge-to-bridge VHF radio communication
• CHand signals from the wheelhouse
• DVisual signals from the company flag

Aboard a 175 GRT inspected passenger vessel, the master is ultimately responsible for:

• AOnly navigation while underway
• BOnly the safety equipment listed on the Certificate of Inspection
• CThe safe operation of the vessel, the safety of all aboard, and compliance with applicabl…
• DOnly items specified in the company SMS

Before getting underway with passengers aboard, which pre-departure task is most important from a regulatory standpoint?

• ATopping off the freshwater tank
• BConducting a passenger safety orientation covering location and use of lifejackets and em…
• CPolishing brightwork on the bridge wings
• DEnsuring all passengers have downloaded the company app

On a small passenger vessel, the official document that lists the maximum number of passengers and the route is the:

• AMMC of the master
• BCertificate of Documentation
• CCertificate of Inspection (COI)
• DBill of sale

While performing turnover, the relieving officer of the watch should NOT take over the watch if:

• AVisibility is reduced but radar is operating normally
• BThere is reason to believe he or she is not in a fit condition to perform the duties effe…
• CTraffic is heavy in the area being transited
• DA pilot is currently aboard

Free surface effect on a partially filled tank is most accurately described as:

• AA buoyancy gain caused by the void space above the liquid
• BAn apparent reduction in metacentric height (GM) due to liquid shifting as the vessel rol…
• CAn increase in displacement caused by liquid sloshing
• DA change in trim caused by ballast pumps cycling

Adding weight high above the vessel's center of gravity will typically:

• AIncrease GM and stability
• BRaise the center of gravity and decrease GM
• CHave no effect on stability
• DIncrease reserve buoyancy without changing GM

Gross Registered Tons (GRT) is a measurement of:

• AThe vessel's displacement weight in long tons
• BThe total enclosed internal volume of the vessel, expressed in units of 100 cubic feet
• CThe vessel's cargo carrying capacity in metric tons
• DThe maximum lifting capacity of the vessel's cranes

When anchoring, the rule of thumb for scope of anchor rode in normal conditions is approximately:

• A1:1 (rode equal to depth)
• B2:1 (twice the depth)
• C5:1 to 7:1 (five to seven times the depth)
• D15:1 (fifteen times the depth)

To check whether your anchor is dragging at anchor, the most reliable simple method is to:

• AWatch the masthead light for movement
• BObserve charted ranges or take bearings on two or more fixed objects ashore over time
• CListen for the anchor chain to grumble
• DWatch the bow rise and fall in the swell

A line under load that suddenly parts is most dangerous because it can:

• ASplash water onto the deck
• BWhip back with stored energy and cause severe injury
• CTangle the propeller every time
• DTrigger an automatic fire alarm

Which document records every required entry such as fire drills, abandon-ship drills, and any incidents during the voyage?

• AThe COI
• BThe Official Logbook / Deck Log
• CThe Continuous Synopsis Record
• DThe vessel's HVAC log

The 'bitter end' of an anchor chain refers to:

• AThe shackle nearest the anchor
• BThe inboard end that is secured inside the chain locker
• CThe chain link painted red as a warning marker
• DThe end of the swivel attached to the windlass gypsy

Which knot is best for forming a fixed, non-slipping loop at the end of a line?

• ASquare knot
• BClove hitch
• CBowline
• DTwo half hitches

A vessel is said to be 'tender' when she has:

• AA high metacentric height and a quick rolling period
• BA low metacentric height and a long, slow rolling period
• CExcess freeboard at the waterline
• DNegative reserve buoyancy

An adequate pre-departure check on a small passenger vessel includes verifying that:

• AThe bilge pumps work, lifesaving equipment is in place, navigation lights function, and t…
• BThe vessel's hull paint is glossy and the brightwork is varnished
• CThe galley refrigerator is between 35 and 38 degrees F
• DEach passenger has signed a personal waiver

When making fast a mooring line, an eye should normally be:

• ADropped over the bitt with the standing part on top of any other lines already in place
• BDipped through the eyes of any lines already on the bitt and then dropped over (the 'dipp…
• CCut and re-spliced after each docking
• DTied with a slipknot for easy release