USCG Master/Mate/Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels — Oceans or Near Coastal

Under the International and Inland Rules, a proper lookout must be maintained by:

• ARadar alone when the tow restricts forward visibility
• BSight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
• CThe master only when the vessel is engaged in towing
• DVHF monitoring unless the vessel is pushing barges ahead

You observe another vessel by compass bearing while range is decreasing. 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?

• 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 the longer tow

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

A vessel is overtaking when she is coming up with another vessel from a direction more than:

• A22.5 degrees abaft her beam
• B45 degrees abaft her beam
• C67.5 degrees abaft her beam
• D90 degrees abaft her beam

Safe speed under Rule 6 must allow the vessel to take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances. Which factor is most relevant when towing a long hawser tow in traffic?

• AThe age of the master's license
• BTraffic density, maneuverability of the tow, draft relative to available depth, and backg…
• COnly the horsepower of the towing vessel
• DWhether the vessel is inspected or uninspected

Which day shape indicates a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver?

• ATwo balls in a vertical line
• BA ball, a diamond, and a ball in a vertical line
• CTwo cones with apexes together
• DThree balls in a vertical line

A power-driven vessel towing astern and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit, in addition to sidelights and sternlight:

• ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line
• BThree masthead lights in a vertical line
• COne all-round white light only
• DA single yellow flashing light on the towline

What light is exhibited above the sternlight of a power-driven vessel engaged in towing astern?

• AA white all-round light
• BA yellow towing light
• CA red all-round light
• DA green sidelight

A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on International waters shall exhibit:

• ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a sternlight
• BThree masthead lights and no sidelights
• COnly sidelights and a yellow towing light
• DThe same lights as a sailing vessel

On Inland waters, a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside, except a composite unit, shall exhibit:

• ATwo towing lights in a vertical line instead of a sternlight
• BThree all-round red lights
• COnly a single masthead light
• DNo sidelights when the barges are lighted

Which day shape is required when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters?

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

A power-driven vessel underway, making way, in restricted visibility sounds:

• AOne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
• BTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
• COne short, one prolonged, and one short blast every two minutes
• DFive short blasts continuously

A vessel engaged in towing that is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course is, for the purposes of the Rules:

• AAlways treated as a sailing vessel
• BA vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when so engaged and displaying the appropr…
• CExempt from all steering and sailing rules
• DRequired to keep out of the way of every other vessel at all times

Under Inland Rule 34, if you propose a meeting or overtaking arrangement by whistle and the other vessel agrees, she should reply with:

• AFive short blasts
• BThe same whistle signal if in agreement
• CThree prolonged blasts only
• DNo reply is ever required on Inland waters

In a narrow channel under Rule 9, 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 the channel. A towing vessel with a deep-draft tow should:

• AAlways yield to every recreational craft
• BNavigate with particular regard to her limited ability to maneuver outside the channel an…
• CIgnore traffic because towing always has absolute right of way
• DSound five short blasts continuously as the sole means of collision avoidance

Which statement best describes Rule 2 (responsibility)?

• ACompliance with the Rules always excuses a collision
• BNothing in the Rules exonerates any vessel or master from the consequences of neglect of…
• COnly the give-way vessel can be held responsible
• DTowing vessels are exempt from Rule 2

Action to avoid collision under Rule 8 shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be:

• ASlight and gradual so the other vessel may not notice
• BPositive, made in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship
• CDelayed until the vessels are within one ship length
• DLimited to engine orders only, never course changes

A vessel not under command by day exhibits:

• ATwo balls in a vertical line
• BA ball, a diamond, and a ball
• CThree balls in a vertical line
• DA single diamond

In a traffic separation scheme under Rule 10, a vessel engaged in towing shall:

• AAlways steam against the general direction of traffic flow
• BSo far as practicable comply with Rule 10 and not impede the safe passage of a power-driv…
• CIgnore the scheme because towing vessels are exempt
• DCross a separation zone at any angle without regard to other traffic

When making up a tow of barges for an oceans or near-coastal voyage, the towing vessel master should primarily ensure that:

• ABarges are secured so the tow can be controlled safely in expected weather and traffic co…
• BOnly the lightest barges are placed at the head of the tow regardless of cargo
• CAll barges remain completely empty for stability
• DTowlines are as short as possible with zero catenary in open ocean

What is a primary purpose of catenary in a long towing hawser or wire in open water?

• ATo eliminate all stretch so the towline acts as a rigid bar
• BTo act as a spring that absorbs shock loads between tug and tow
• CTo keep the towline permanently on the bottom
• DTo guarantee the tow follows exactly in the tug's wake with no yaw

Compared with synthetic hawser towing, steel wire towing generally:

• AHas greater stretch and softer shock absorption for the same length
• BHas less stretch and may require more attention to catenary and shock loading
• CNever requires inspection
• DIs immune to corrosion and wear

When pushing barges ahead as a unit, face wires and wing wires are used primarily to:

• ALight the barges at night
• BSecure the barges to the towing vessel so the unit can be steered and controlled as a com…
• CReplace the need for navigation lights
• DMeasure the length of the tow for Rule 24

Gross tonnage of a vessel is best described as:

• AThe actual weight of the vessel in long tons
• BA measure of the vessel's overall internal volume used for regulatory and documentation p…
• CThe weight of cargo the vessel can carry
• DThe vessel's draft in feet multiplied by beam

Free surface effect in a partially filled tank tends to:

• AIncrease the vessel's metacentric height (GM) and improve stability
• BReduce stability by allowing liquid to shift and lower the effective GM
• CHave no effect on stability if the tank is below the waterline
• DOnly affect trim, never list

Adding weight high on a towing vessel or barge generally:

• ALowers the center of gravity and increases GM
• BRaises the center of gravity and reduces stability
• CHas no effect on stability
• DAlways improves righting arm at large angles

Which knot is the standard bend for joining two lines, and is especially suited to lines of unequal diameter?

• AClove hitch
• BBecket (sheet) bend
• CFigure-eight stopper
• DSingle half hitch

When anchoring a towing vessel without a tow in a strong current, a common good practice is to:

• ADrop the anchor while still making strong headway toward shallow water
• BApproach the anchorage with controlled headway, let go at the intended position, and pay…
• CAlways use zero scope so the chain hangs vertical
• DNever use a second anchor regardless of conditions

A chafing gear or chafe protection on a towing hawser is used primarily to:

• AIncrease the rated breaking strength of the line by 50%
• BProtect the line from abrasion where it contacts fairleads, rails, or other hard surfaces
• CReplace the need for inspections
• DMake the line neutrally buoyant

When a towing vessel is maneuvering with a long astern tow in a channel, bank suction and bank cushion may cause:

• ANo effect if the engines are clutched ahead
• BUnexpected yaw or sheer toward or away from the bank that must be anticipated and counter…
• CThe towline to become permanently shorter
• DAutomatic cancellation of Rule 9 duties

The term "composite unit" in the navigational rules context generally means:

• AAny tug with any barge within 1 mile
• BA pushing vessel and an ahead barge rigidly connected so they are treated as a single pow…
• CTwo vessels rafted at anchor only
• DA vessel under sail with an engine running

Which document is specifically associated with demonstrating towing officer competency for many USCG towing endorsements?

• ASTCW GMDSS restricted operator certificate only
• BTowing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR)
• CInternational Load Line Certificate for pleasure craft
• DFCC radiotelegraph first-class license

When picking up a barge for towing, a critical deck general safety consideration is:

• AJumping between vessels without life jackets when the gap is small
• BControlling relative motion, using proper lines and winches, and keeping personnel clear…
• CUsing maximum throttle until the barge is alongside regardless of conditions
• DDisconnecting all communications until the face wires are made

Trim by the stern on a towing vessel often:

• AAlways reduces propeller immersion
• BCan improve propeller immersion and steering response compared with excessive trim by the…
• CHas no effect on handling
• DIs prohibited on all oceans routes

A fairlead is used primarily to:

• AGenerate electrical power for deck lights
• BGuide a line or wire and change its lead direction while reducing chafing at the turn
• CMeasure draft marks
• DSecure a hatch cover weathertight

When shortening up a towing hawser before entering a congested harbor, the master should primarily consider:

• AOnly fuel cost
• BManeuverability of the tow, traffic density, depth, and ability to control the barge stri…
• CAlways keeping maximum ocean scope until alongside the berth
• DRemoving all navigation lights

Which statement about watchkeeping on a towing vessel is most correct?

• AThe lookout may be dispensed with if radar is operating
• BThe officer in charge of the navigational watch must maintain a continuous proper lookout…
• COnly the engineer is responsible for collision avoidance
• DWatch officers need not know the vessel's draft when towing

Surge (snatch) loads on a towing hawser are most likely when:

• AThe sea is flat calm and both vessels ride identically with no yaw
• BSeas, yaw, or speed changes cause the towline to alternately slacken and snap taut
• CThe towline is permanently slack on deck
• DOnly when using chain exclusively with no fiber

Deadweight of a barge most nearly means:

• AThe volume of the barge in cubic meters only
• BThe carrying capacity by weight—difference between loaded displacement and light displace…
• CThe barge's official number
• DThe length overall times beam

The fire tetrahedron includes fuel, heat, oxygen, and:

• ANitrogen only
• BA chemical chain reaction
• CSalt water exclusively
• DCarbon dioxide exclusively

A Class B fire involves:

• AOrdinary combustibles such as wood and paper only
• BFlammable liquids and gases such as oil and fuel
• CEnergized electrical equipment only
• DCombustible metals only

If a fire is discovered on a tank barge in tow, the towing vessel master should generally first:

• AIgnore it until the next port
• BSound the alarm, notify the crew, assess and fight the fire as appropriate, and consider…
• CImmediately abandon both vessels without alarm
• DIncrease to full speed toward the nearest recreational marina without communications

A CO2 fixed fire-extinguishing system extinguishes primarily by:

• ACooling with water mist only
• BDisplacing oxygen and interrupting the fire's oxygen supply
• CSmothering with foam blankets only
• DAdding more fuel to dilute heat

If the towing hawser parts at sea, the master should immediately:

• AAssume the barge will stop and require no further action
• BAlert the crew, account for personnel, keep clear of the parted gear and free barge, and…
• CAbandon ship without assessing the situation
• DTurn off all radios to conserve power

Man-overboard recovery on a towing vessel with a long astern tow is complicated because:

• AThe vessel can always stop instantly without affecting the tow
• BManeuvering room is limited by the tow, and turning or stopping may endanger the person,…
• CPFDs are never required on towing vessels
• DRadar alone guarantees recovery

Oil pollution prevention under U.S. law and good practice requires that a towing vessel operator:

• ADischarge oily bilge water anytime outside 3 nm
• BPrevent illegal discharges, maintain required records and equipment, and report spills as…
• CIgnore sheens if the barge is unmanned
• DUse only open-deck transfer without drip containment