USCG Master/Mate/Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels — Great Lakes and Inland

Under Rule 5, a proper lookout on a towing vessel must be maintained by:

• ARadar alone when pushing a long barge string
• BSight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
• CThe master only when the tow exceeds 200 meters
• DVHF Channel 13 alone while in a lock approach

You take successive compass bearings on another vessel while closing range. The bearing remains nearly steady. What should you assume?

• AThere is no risk because the bearing is not changing
• BRisk of collision exists
• COnly the other vessel has collision responsibility
• DThe other vessel must be overtaking you

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

• AThe vessel that has the other on her own port side
• BThe smaller of the two vessels
• CThe vessel that has the other on her own starboard side
• DThe vessel with barges in tow

Under Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on so as to involve risk of collision, each vessel shall:

• AAlter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
• BStop engines until the situation clears
• CAlter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other
• DSound five short blasts and maintain course

On inland waters you reach a passing agreement with an approaching vessel over the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone. Under Inland Rule 34(h), you are then:

• ARequired to sound the Rule 34 whistle signals anyway, because a radio agreement has no st…
• BNot obliged to sound the Rule 34 whistle signals, although you may still do so
• CRelieved of every Rule 34 obligation for the rest of the passage, including the doubt sig…
• DRequired to repeat the agreement to the local Coast Guard sector before executing the man…

A power-driven vessel towing astern where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit which additional day shape under the Rules?

• AA single black ball
• BA diamond shape where it can best be seen
• CTwo cones with apexes together
• DA cylinder

At night, a power-driven vessel towing astern with a tow longer than 200 meters shows how many masthead lights in a vertical line in addition to sidelights and sternlight?

• AOne
• BTwo
• CThree
• DFour

Under the Inland Rules, on the Western Rivers (except below the Huey P. Long Bridge) and on waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside — not rigidly connected as a composite unit — exhibits:

• ASidelights and two towing lights in a vertical line, with no masthead lights
• BTwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and two towing lights in a vertical l…
• CThree all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DSidelights and a single sternlight only

Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast when vessels are in sight generally means:

• AI am operating astern propulsion
• BI intend to leave you on my port side
• CI intend to leave you on my starboard side
• DDanger; I do not understand your intentions

Five short and rapid blasts on the whistle under Rule 34 means:

• AI am altering course to starboard
• BI am operating astern propulsion
• CDoubt as to the other vessel's intentions or actions, or danger
• DRequest for a lockage

In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way sounds which fog signal under Rule 35?

• AOne prolonged blast every two minutes
• BTwo prolonged blasts every two minutes
• COne prolonged followed by two short blasts every two minutes
• DFive short blasts every minute

A vessel engaged in towing that is restricted in her ability to maneuver sounds which fog signal under Rule 35?

• AOne prolonged blast every two minutes
• BTwo prolonged blasts every two minutes
• COne prolonged blast followed by two short blasts every two minutes
• DOne short, one prolonged, one short blast every minute

The special flashing light required by the Inland Rules at the forward end of a barge being pushed ahead is:

• AA red light flashing 120 times per minute over an arc of 360 degrees
• BA yellow light flashing 50 to 70 times per minute over an arc of not less than 180 nor mo…
• CA white light flashing 30 times per minute, shown only when the tow exceeds 200 meters
• DA green light flashing at any convenient rate, shown only on the Great Lakes

Under Inland Rule 15(b), on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall:

• AHold course and speed, because the ascending or descending vessel must give way
• BKeep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river
• CKeep clear only of downbound vessels; upbound vessels must give way to a crossing vessel
• DApply the ordinary crossing rule with no modification, since Rule 15(b) applies only to s…

Under Inland Rule 9, a vessel of less than 20 meters or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. On inland waters with a long barge tow, this most nearly means:

• ASmall craft may cut between barges if they sound one short blast
• BDeep-draft or long tows constrained to the channel should not be forced out of the naviga…
• COnly downbound tows have any channel rights
• DNarrow-channel rules never apply on the Great Lakes

Under Inland Rule 9, in a narrow channel or fairway on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, which power-driven vessel holds the right-of-way when two power-driven vessels are meeting?

• AThe vessel proceeding upbound against the current
• BThe vessel with the deeper draft only
• CThe vessel proceeding downbound with a following current
• DThe vessel that first sounds one short blast

You are pushing a barge string toward a blind bend in a connecting channel where an oncoming vessel would be hidden by the point. Under Rule 34(e) you shall sound:

• AOne prolonged blast, to be answered by a prolonged blast from any approaching vessel with…
• BTwo short blasts, indicating you will hold the outside of the bend
• CFive short and rapid blasts continuously until the bend is cleared
• DThree short blasts, to warn that you may have to back down

A barge being pushed ahead as part of a composite unit under the International Rules is treated for light purposes as:

• AA vessel being towed astern requiring separate towing lights on each barge
• BPart of the pushing vessel so the unit shows lights of a single power-driven vessel
• CA vessel not under command
• DAn anchored vessel

Under Rule 6, safe speed means a speed at which a vessel can:

• AMaintain full sea speed regardless of visibility
• BTake proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appr…
• CMatch the speed of the fastest vessel in the channel
• DExceed the lock approach speed limit if under radar control

Under Inland Rules, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing with risk of collision, a vessel leaving a dock or berth shall:

• AAlways be the stand-on vessel
• BSound the danger signal only after collision is inevitable
• CKeep clear of all vessels underway and sound the appropriate signal if required by the ci…
• DShow two black balls

Sidelights show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of how many degrees?

• A112.5 degrees
• B135 degrees
• C225 degrees
• D360 degrees

You are pushing a long barge string on inland waters at night and see a vessel's green sidelight and white masthead light on a steady bearing closing. Relative to your tow, that vessel is most likely:

• AApproaching from your port bow / crossing from port to starboard
• BApproaching from your starboard bow / crossing from starboard to port
• CDead astern overtaking you
• DAnchored on your port quarter

When making up barges for pushing ahead, face wires are primarily used to:

• ASecure the towline when towing astern on a hawser
• BConnect the tug's bow to the stern of the barge string so the unit can push as one
• CReplace required navigation lights on the lead barge
• DMark the draft of each barge

When towing a barge astern on a hawser in inland waters, lengthening the towline generally:

• AIncreases shock loading and decreases catenary cushioning
• BIncreases catenary, which can help cushion shock loads but may reduce control in confined…
• CEliminates the need for a towing light
• DMakes the tow immune to current

Flanking on a river or canal with a tow typically means:

• AAnchoring both ends of the barge string in mid-channel
• BUsing the current and engine/rudder (or flanking rudders) to control the tow's swing whil…
• CDisconnecting all face wires before entering a lock
• DSounding five short blasts continuously

A Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) is best described as:

• AA substitute for the USCG written exam modules
• BA documented practical skills assessment of towing officer competencies required for cert…
• CAn annual medical certificate
• DA shipyard drydock report

When working wire or synthetic lines under load on a tow, the safest position relative to a line under tension is:

• AStanding in the bight so you can see the lead better
• BStanding clear of the bight and snap-back zones
• CSitting on the wire to keep it from jumping
• DHolding the wire mid-span with bare hands while the winch heaves

Bank suction (bank cushion/suction effects) most nearly describes:

• ALoss of radar picture in fog
• BHydrodynamic forces that pull or push a hull toward or away from a nearby bank or shallow…
• CIce forming on the deck from spray
• DSounding reduction due to soft mud bottom only

Squat is best defined as:

• AThe increase in under-keel clearance when speed increases in shallow water
• BThe bodily sinkage and change of trim of a vessel underway in shallow water due to reduce…
• CThe rise of water level caused by a seiche
• DThe vertical lift from a lock filling chamber

When securing barges in a multi-barge push tow, the raked ends of barges are typically placed:

• AIn the middle of the string only for stability
• BAccording to company make-up plans and cargo/draft needs, with rakes often outboard or as…
• CAlways facing aft on every barge regardless of design
• DOnly on the tug itself

A jockey wire (or jockey line) on a push tow is generally used to:

• AReplace the main face wires entirely while underway at full river speed
• BHelp control lateral alignment or fine-tune the position of barges relative to the boat d…
• CServe as the sole required towing light support
• DMeasure water depth under the lead barge

Before heaving a tow winch or capstan under load, the deck watch should first:

• AClear personnel from danger zones and confirm communications with the wheelhouse
• BRemove all PPE so clothing does not catch
• CStand in the bight for better leverage
• DDisable the emergency stop

When a push tow enters a lock chamber, a primary handling concern is:

• AMaintaining excessive speed to keep position against the gates
• BControlling the tow so it does not strike lock walls, gates, or other vessels while manag…
• CDisconnecting radar before entering
• DExtinguishing all navigation lights even at night

Stability of a barge string can be adversely affected by:

• AEven loading within design limits only
• BFree surface in partially filled tanks, uneven loading, and improper ballasting
• CUsing the correct face-wire tension only
• DDaytime navigation exclusively

The term 'hip towing' or 'towing alongside' most nearly means:

• ATowing a barge with a long hawser dead astern only
• BSecuring the towing vessel alongside the barge(s) so the unit moves as a side-coupled com…
• CPushing with face wires only at the stern of a string
• DAnchoring the barge and steaming circles around it

When inspecting a tow wire before use, you should reject a wire that shows:

• AManufacturer markings and a valid certificate
• BBroken wires beyond retirement criteria, severe corrosion, kinks, or birdcaging
• CA slight film of lubricant
• DA properly seated thimble and socket

A common purpose of a surge chain or shock line in a towing-astern arrangement is to:

• AEliminate the need for a towing light
• BHelp absorb shock loads and reduce peak stress on the main tow gear
• CReplace the main tow wire permanently
• DIncrease the barge's free surface

While standing a navigational watch on a towing vessel, the officer of the watch should:

• ALeave the wheelhouse unattended during short coffee breaks if the autopilot is on
• BMaintain a proper lookout, monitor traffic and the tow, and not hand over the watch until…
• CRely solely on AIS without visual scanning
• DDisable bridge alarms to reduce noise

When a downbound tow with a following current approaches a lock, good practice is to:

• AEnter at full throttle to clear the chamber quickly
• BContact the lock, follow lockmaster directions, control speed early, and be prepared for…
• CIgnore radio calls if the lock lights are green
• DMake up additional barges while in the approach channel

A 'trip' or 'swing' of barges in fleeting most nearly refers to:

• AA single lock transit only
• BA group of barges made up and moved as a unit within a fleeting area or for delivery
• CThe master's license tonnage
• DA radar range ring setting

If the lead barge of a push tow begins to take a sheer toward a bank, the officer should generally:

• AIncrease speed immediately without correcting rudder/engine
• BUse rudder, engines (including flanking as equipped), and speed reduction as needed to ar…
• CAbandon the face wires at once
• DSound one prolonged blast only and take no helm action

Synthetic towlines compared with steel wire generally:

• AHave zero stretch and no snap-back risk
• BCan offer more elasticity (shock absorption) but may still fail with dangerous snap-back…
• CNever require inspection
• DAre prohibited on all inland towing vessels

An inland towing vessel's official log and required documents should be:

• ADiscarded after each voyage to save space
• BMaintained as required by regulations and company SMS, available for inspection, and kept…
• CFilled out only if a casualty occurs
• DStored ashore exclusively during the voyage

When shifting a light barge with a small assist boat in a fleeting area, the greatest collision risk often comes from:

• ADeep-ocean swell
• BLimited maneuvering room, current, windage on empty barges, and other fleet traffic
• CCelestial navigation errors
• DMagnetic variation changes hourly

The primary purpose of a fixed fire-extinguishing system in a towing vessel machinery space is to:

• AVentilate oil mist out of the engine room during normal operation
• BExtinguish or control a machinery-space fire when portable means are inadequate
• CProvide drinking water
• DReplace required portable extinguishers entirely on all vessels

For a Class B fire (flammable liquids), the preferred extinguishing approach is generally to:

• AUse a solid water stream directed into the fuel surface only
• BExclude oxygen and/or interrupt the fire tetrahedron with foam, dry chemical, or other su…
• CThrow sand only if the liquid is gasoline
• DOpen all vents to feed the fire more air

A Class A fire involves:

• ACombustible metals such as magnesium
• BOrdinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and many plastics
• CEnergized electrical equipment only
• DFlammable gases only