USCG Master Rivers 100 GRT

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

• ARadar alone when the river is foggy
• BSight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
• CThe master only when the vessel is under 100 GRT
• DVHF monitoring unless the vessel is in a lock

You observe another vessel by compass bearing while closing range on a river. 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 Inland 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 proceeding downstream

Under Inland 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

Under Rule 13, once a vessel is an overtaking vessel, any subsequent change of bearing between the two vessels:

• ADoes not relieve her of the duty to keep clear until she is finally past and clear
• BConverts the situation into a crossing situation once the bearing opens
• CMakes her the stand-on vessel as soon as she is abeam
• DEnds her obligations the moment the other vessel's sternlight is no longer visible

What lights does a power-driven vessel underway of less than 50 meters typically show under the Inland Rules at night?

• ASidelights and sternlight only
• BMasthead light, sidelights, and sternlight
• CTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DAn all-round white light only

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

• AI am altering my course to port
• BI am operating astern propulsion
• CDanger; I do not understand your intentions
• DI intend to leave you on my port side (Inland intention/agreement signal for a port-to-po…

Five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle means:

• AI am operating astern propulsion
• BI intend to overtake you on your starboard side
• CDoubt or danger — I do not understand your intentions or I doubt whether sufficient actio…
• DRequest for a lockage

In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than two minutes:

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

A vessel not under command (NUC) exhibits which day shapes?

• ATwo cones with apexes together
• BA ball, a diamond, and a ball
• CTwo balls or similar shapes in a vertical line
• DA single black ball

Which vessel generally has the highest priority in the Rule 18 responsibilities between vessels hierarchy?

• AA power-driven vessel underway
• BA sailing vessel
• CA vessel engaged in fishing
• DA vessel not under command

On Western Rivers under special Inland provisions, which vessel generally has the right-of-way when two power-driven vessels are crossing or meeting in a narrow channel or fairway?

• AThe vessel proceeding upbound against the current
• BThe vessel with the deeper draft only
• CThe vessel proceeding downbound with a following current
• DThe smaller vessel under 100 GRT

Three short blasts on the whistle when vessels are in sight means:

• AI intend to leave you on my starboard side
• BI am operating astern propulsion
• CI am altering course to starboard
• DDanger; keep clear

A vessel at anchor of less than 50 meters shall exhibit by night:

• ASidelights and a sternlight
• BAn all-round white light where it can best be seen
• CTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DA masthead light only

Under Rule 9 (narrow channels), a vessel of less than 20 meters or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. On a river, this means a small passenger vessel should:

• AIgnore commercial traffic if it has right-of-way in a crossing
• BAvoid impeding deep-draft or channel-bound vessels that need the fairway
• CAlways force a port-to-port meeting regardless of channel shape
• DAnchor in the best water of the channel to wait for lockage

Rule 8 states that an alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation, provided that:

• AIt is made in good time, is substantial, and does not result in another close-quarters si…
• BIt is made in a succession of small changes so the other vessel is not alarmed
• CIt is always an alteration to port, whatever the geometry
• DIt is announced on the radio before it is made

Under Inland Rule 24, the complete light picture for a power-driven vessel pushing ahead (not rigidly connected as a composite unit) is:

• ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and two towing lights in a vertical l…
• BOne masthead light, sidelights, and a sternlight only
• CTwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a sternlight
• DSidelights and three all-round green lights

Under Rule 17, the stand-on vessel shall keep her course and speed, but may take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone when:

• AShe prefers a different passing arrangement for convenience
• BIt becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
• CThe give-way vessel sounds one short blast
• DShe is on Western Rivers regardless of risk

Which day shape indicates a vessel aground?

• ATwo balls in a vertical line
• BA single diamond
• CTwo cones with apexes together
• DThree balls in a vertical line

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. On a congested river approach to a lock, which factor is most relevant?

• AThe age of the master's license
• BTraffic density, maneuverability, draft relative to available depth, and background light…
• COnly the vessel's maximum continuous rating
• DWhether the vessel is inspected or uninspected

A power-driven vessel underway, not making way, in restricted visibility sounds:

• AOne prolonged blast every two minutes
• BOne short, one prolonged, and one short blast
• CFive short blasts continuously
• DTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes

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

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
• DSmall vessels under 100 GRT are exempt from Rule 2

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (RAM) engaged in an operation such as dredging exhibits which day shapes (general picture)?

• AA single black ball
• BTwo cones apex to apex only
• CThree diamonds in a horizontal line
• DA ball, a diamond, and a ball in a vertical line (with additional shapes for obstruction…

You are master of a small power-driven river passenger vessel and see a downbound tow that can navigate safely only in the channel. The safest general practice under Rule 9 and good river seamanship is to:

• AClaim stand-on status and hold the center of the channel
• BKeep clear of the channel water the tow needs and make your intentions early and obvious
• CCross close ahead of the tow to save time
• DSound five short blasts and maintain course regardless of geometry

The best general definition of freeboard is:

• AThe distance from the keel to the waterline
• BThe vessel's gross register tonnage
• CThe horizontal distance from stem to stern
• DThe vertical distance from the waterline to the weather deck edge or freeboard deck

Adding weight high on a vessel (for example, passengers crowding an upper deck) generally:

• ARaises the center of gravity and reduces stability
• BLowers the center of gravity and increases stability
• CHas no effect on stability if the vessel is under 100 GRT
• DAlways increases freeboard

The three elements that must be present together for a fire to burn are:

• AWater, pressure, and confinement
• BSmoke, heat, and ventilation
• CNitrogen, carbon dioxide, and steam
• DFuel, oxygen, and heat

The preferred immediate action when a person falls overboard from a small river vessel is to:

• ARun to the engine room first to stop the engines
• BShout 'man overboard,' mark the side, throw flotation, keep the person in sight, and mane…
• CContinue to the next lock before responding
• DSound five short blasts only and wait for another vessel

Which extinguisher type is generally appropriate for an energized electrical (Class C) fire after securing power if possible?

• ACO2 or dry chemical rated for electrical fires
• BWater straight stream as first choice while equipment remains energized
• CFoam only, with no regard to conductivity
• DA Class D metal extinguisher only

When securing a small river vessel alongside a dock, the spring lines primarily:

• AHold the vessel off the dock only
• BReplace the need for breast lines in all cases
• CAre used only on vessels over 100 GRT
• DControl fore-and-aft movement along the dock

Bank suction (or bank effect) on a river typically tends to:

• APull the stern toward the near bank and can cause the bow to sheer away
• BHave no effect on vessels under 100 GRT
• CAlways push the entire vessel away from the bank evenly
• DOccur only in salt water

Squat in shallow water generally causes a vessel to:

• AIncrease freeboard and rise bodily
• BSink bodily and/or trim, reducing under-keel clearance at speed
• CExperience no change in draft
• DIncrease GM automatically

A Certificate of Inspection (COI) for an inspected small passenger vessel primarily:

• AIs optional decorative paper for marketing
• BReplaces the need for a Merchant Mariner Credential for the master
• CIs valid only on Near Coastal routes
• DStates the conditions under which the vessel may operate, including route, passengers, an…

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

• ANitrogen
• BA chemical chain reaction
• CCarbon dioxide
• DInertia

When approaching a lock on a small commercial river vessel, good practice includes:

• AEstablishing radio contact as required, controlling speed and approach angle, having line…
• BEntering at full cruise speed to maintain rudder authority only
• CIgnoring lock traffic signals if you are downbound
• DRafting without permission whenever the chamber looks empty

A figure-eight knot is primarily used to:

• AJoin two lines of greatly different diameter under heavy load as a permanent splice subst…
• BPut a stopper knot in the end of a line to prevent unreeving
• CServe as the strongest bend for wire rope
• DReplace a bowline for lifting people

The bowline is preferred when you need a:

• ATemporary loop that will not slip and is relatively easy to untie after loading
• BPermanent eye splice in wire rope
• CKnot that intentionally slips under load
• DStopper only for synthetic braid

If you discover a fire in the galley of a small passenger river vessel, your first priorities are generally to:

• AOpen all doors and windows to ventilate immediately
• BLeave the fire unattended while you finish docking
• CAlert the crew and passengers as needed, secure fuel/power if safe, attack with the corre…
• DThrow water on a grease fire without securing heat sources

PFDs (life jackets) required for passenger vessels must be:

• AStored locked in the engine room only
• BOptional if the vessel never leaves the dock
• CReplaced by throwables only on rivers
• DOf approved type, correctly sized and accessible as required for the vessel's service

When a vessel is down by the head, it means:

• AThe bow is deeper than the stern (deeper draft forward)
• BThe stern is deeper than the bow
• CThe vessel has equal draft fore and aft
• DThe vessel has negative freeboard aft only

Oil or fuel pollution into U.S. navigable waters must be reported. As master, you should:

• AWait 72 hours to see if the sheen disperses before any report
• BOnly report if more than 100 GRT of oil is lost
• CReport a discharge as required by law to the National Response Center / Coast Guard and t…
• DNever report river spills because inland waters are exempt

The pivot point of a vessel making headway is generally located:

• AAt the stern near the rudder
• BAlways exactly at the geometric center regardless of speed
• CAt the highest point of the mast
• DSomewhere forward of amidships so the bow swings less than the stern for a given turn

Hot work (welding/cutting) aboard should not begin until:

• AAny available crew member casually agrees
• BThe bilges are intentionally left oily for lubrication
• CThe area is prepared, flammables controlled, fire watch and extinguishers ready, and requ…
• DNightfall, because sparks are less visible

A ring life buoy is primarily intended to:

• AServe as a permanent seat cushion
• BProvide throwable flotation to a person in the water
• CReplace all wearable PFDs on inspected vessels
• DBe used only as a fender

When docking with a strong current from ahead on a river, a common good practice is to:

• AUse the current and engine/helm to control approach angle and speed, often stemming the c…
• BIgnore current and approach at full speed
• CAlways approach downcurrent at maximum rpm
• DShut down the engine before any lines are ready

Abandon-ship decisions and procedures on a small passenger vessel should prioritize:

• ASaving the vessel's electronics before people
• BWaiting until the vessel is fully submerged before acting
• CLeaving passengers uninformed to avoid panic without any plan
• DMuster, account for persons, don PFDs, launch/board survival craft as required, and send…

The tonnage figure that decides whether a mariner needs a Master of less than 100 GRT endorsement or a higher-tonnage endorsement is:

• AThe vessel's loaded displacement in long tons
• BThe deadweight the vessel can carry
• CThe vessel's regulatory gross tonnage, a measure of enclosed volume rather than weight
• DThe number of passengers listed on the certificate of inspection