USCG Master Rivers Unlimited Tonnage

Rule 7 warns against making assumptions about risk of collision on the basis of:

• AScanty information, especially scanty radar information
• BA steady compass bearing with decreasing range
• CA systematic radar plot of a detected target
• DLong-range scanning to get early warning of risk

Under the Inland Rules, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing with risk of collision, short-blast maneuvering signals generally express:

• AIntention and require agreement by the other vessel (reply)
• BAction already taken only, with no need for a reply
• CRestricted-visibility signals under Rule 35
• DDistress signals under Annex IV

Two power-driven vessels meet in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers, the downbound vessel having a following current. Under Inland Rule 9(a)(ii), the maneuvering signals are initiated by:

• AThe downbound vessel, which has the right of way and proposes the manner of passage
• BThe upbound vessel, which has the right of way against the current
• CWhichever vessel sights the other first, regardless of direction
• DNeither vessel, because whistle signals are not used on Western Rivers

Rule 9(g) advises that any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit:

• AAvoid anchoring in a narrow channel
• BAnchor in the deepest part of a narrow channel to stay clear of the banks
• CAnchor only on the left descending bank of any river
• DAnchor wherever convenient, provided anchor lights are shown

Rule 6 lists additional safe-speed factors that apply to a vessel with operational radar. Those factors include:

• AThe characteristics, efficiency, and limitations of the radar equipment and any constrain…
• BThe age of the vessel's certificate of inspection
• CThe number of crew carried on the payroll
• DThe price of fuel at the next terminal

On the Western Rivers under the Inland Rules, when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on or nearly so with risk of collision, which vessel proposes the manner of passage?

• AThe vessel proceeding downbound with a following current
• BThe vessel proceeding upbound against the current
• CWhichever vessel is larger in gross tonnage
• DThe vessel that first sounds one prolonged blast

Under Inland Rule 15(b) on the Western Rivers, a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall:

• AKeep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river
• BHave the right of way over all ascending or descending traffic
• CSound five short blasts and continue without altering course
• DIgnore Rule 15 because only Rule 9 applies on rivers

Under Rule 12, when two sailing vessels are approaching one another with the wind on the same side, the vessel that keeps out of the way is:

• AThe vessel to windward
• BThe vessel to leeward
• CThe vessel on the starboard tack, in every case
• DThe larger of the two vessels

A power-driven vessel of 50 metres or more in length underway must exhibit a second masthead light. That after masthead light is placed:

• AAbaft of and higher than the forward masthead light
• BForward of and lower than the forward masthead light
• CAt the same height as the forward light, athwartships of it
• DAt the stern, in place of the sternlight

A sailing vessel that is proceeding under sail while also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward, where it can best be seen:

• AA conical shape, apex downward
• BA single black ball
• CTwo cones with their apexes together
• DA cylinder

A power-driven vessel towing astern that is less than 50 meters in length and the tow is 200 meters or less in length generally shows at night:

• ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, a sternlight, and a towing light abov…
• BOnly an all-round white light
• CThree all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DSidelights only, with no masthead or stern lights

By day, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shows which shapes in a vertical line?

• ABall, diamond, ball
• BTwo balls
• COne cone, apex upward
• DOne cylinder

Rule 19(b) requires every vessel in or near an area of restricted visibility to proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and, in addition, to:

• AHave her engines ready for immediate maneuver
• BKeep her engines at full sea speed so she answers the helm
• CAnchor until the visibility improves
• DSwitch off her radar to avoid clutter

Under Inland Rule 34, the danger signal is:

• AAt least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle
• BOne prolonged blast
• CTwo prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
• DOne short blast only

When approaching a blind bend in a narrow channel where other vessels may be obscured, Rule 9 generally requires a power-driven vessel to sound:

• AOne prolonged blast
• BFive short and rapid blasts
• CThree short blasts
• DTwo short blasts

Rule 13 (overtaking) provides that any vessel overtaking any other shall:

• AKeep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken
• BHave the right of way as soon as she is abeam
• CRequire the overtaken vessel to slow immediately
• DSound continuous prolonged blasts until clear

Under Inland Rules, a vessel engaged in fishing (other than trawling) underway at night shows:

• ATwo all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower white, plus sideligh…
• BMasthead lights, sidelights, and sternlight only like any power-driven vessel
• CTwo all-round green lights
• DA single yellow flashing light only

Rule 16 sets the standard for give-way action. It requires the give-way vessel to:

• ATake early and substantial action to keep well clear
• BMatch the stand-on vessel's speed until the situation resolves
• CWait for the stand-on vessel to signal her intentions first
• DAlter course only after the danger signal has been exchanged

Under Rule 3, a vessel engaged in fishing means a vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other apparatus:

• AWhich restricts maneuverability, but not one fishing with trolling lines
• BOf any kind, including trolling lines
• COnly when she is also at anchor
• DOnly when she is more than 12 metres in length

Under Inland Rule 34(f), a vessel fitted with whistles more than 100 metres apart shall:

• AUse one whistle only for maneuvering and warning signals
• BSound both whistles together for maximum audibility
• CAlternate between the whistles on successive signals
• DUse the forward whistle by day and the after whistle by night

A vessel at anchor of 50 meters or more in length at night generally exhibits:

• AAn all-round white light in the fore part and a second all-round white light at or near t…
• BOnly sidelights and a sternlight
• CTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DA yellow towing light only

In fog, a power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds which fog signal at intervals of not more than two minutes?

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

Under Inland Rules, a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside (other than a composite unit) generally shows at night, in addition to sidelights:

• ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line and two towing lights in a vertical line at the st…
• BOnly a single masthead light and a sternlight
• CThree all-round green lights
• DNo special lights beyond an ordinary power-driven vessel

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances. This is primarily:

• ARule 6
• BRule 2
• CRule 10
• DRule 31

If you are in doubt whether a meeting situation is a head-on or a crossing situation under the Rules, you should:

• AAssume it is a head-on situation and act accordingly
• BAssume you are always stand-on
• CIgnore the other vessel until she is within one ship length
• DSound continuous prolonged blasts only and hold course

As Master of an unlimited-tonnage river vessel, ultimate responsibility for the safety of the vessel, crew, and cargo rests with:

• AThe Master
• BThe company operations manager only
• CThe pilot, who displaces the Master whenever aboard
• DThe Coast Guard boarding officer on every voyage

A relieving officer should not take over the navigational watch until:

• AThey have satisfied themselves as to position, traffic, standing orders, and the state of…
• BThe officer being relieved has already left the wheelhouse
• CThe scheduled hour arrives, whatever is happening at the time
• DThe master has personally attended the handover

On U.S. waters for which Federal pilotage is required, a coastwise seagoing self-propelled vessel of 1,600 gross tons or more must be navigated under the direction and control of:

• AAn individual holding a Federal first class pilot endorsement for the waters concerned
• BAny deck officer holding an unlimited master's endorsement, whatever their route knowledge
• CThe company's port captain, by radio from ashore
• DThe senior able seaman on watch

When a vessel is underway, charts and publications for the intended river route should be:

• ACorrected and currently applicable for the area to be transited
• BOptional if GPS is operating
• CKept only in the Master's cabin for security
• DReplaced solely by a smartphone mapping app

When making up a multiple-barge river tow, a primary deck-general concern is:

• AProper coupling, wire/line tension, and securing so the tow steers and flexes as planned…
• BLeaving all couplings slack so barges can swing freely in the current
• CRemoving all face wires before getting underway
• DLoading all cargo only on the aftermost barge

Before getting a large river tow underway from a fleeting area, the Master should ensure:

• AThe voyage plan, tow configuration, draft, and communications with the crew and any assis…
• BOnly the engineer knows the intended destination
• CNo lookout is posted until clear of the fleeting area
• DAll navigational lights remain off until mid-channel

A logbook entry for an officer watch should generally include:

• ASignificant navigational events, orders, weather/current notes, and safety-related occurr…
• BOnly the time the Master was off the bridge
• COnly cargo totals with no navigational content
• DPersonal opinions unrelated to the voyage

When a pilot is embarked on a river transit, the relationship with the Master is best described as:

• AThe pilot provides local knowledge and conducts the vessel subject to the Master's overal…
• BThe Master is legally relieved of all responsibility for the voyage
• CThe pilot has no duty to the vessel and only rides as a passenger
• DOnly the pilot may speak on VHF; the Master may not intervene

A principal reason to use face wires of proper length and tension on a push tow is to:

• AKeep the boat firmly coupled to the barges so steering forces transmit through the tow
• BAllow the boat to swing freely 90 degrees relative to the barges while underway
• CReplace the need for any stern lines or couplings
• DEliminate the need for a lookout on the head of the tow

MARPOL and U.S. pollution regulations generally prohibit the discharge of oil or oily mixtures into navigable waters. As Master you should:

• AEnsure oily waste is retained or discharged only through approved means to reception faci…
• BPump bilge oil overboard at night when traffic is light
• CDilute oil with river water until it is no longer visible, then discharge
• DIgnore oil pollution rules on inland rivers because MARPOL applies only offshore

When securing a barge alongside for fleeting, the preferred practice is to:

• AUse adequate lines/wires and fenders so the barge is held against current and wake withou…
• BUse a single light line regardless of current
• CLeave the barge free-floating unattended in the channel
• DAnchor every barge in mid-channel without lights

A vessel's GRT (gross register tonnage) is best described as:

• AA measure of internal volume used for regulatory and documentation purposes, not the vess…
• BThe exact weight of the vessel in long tons
• CThe maximum cargo weight in short tons only
• DThe horsepower of the main engines

When communicating bridge-to-bridge on VHF, standard practice for large commercial vessels includes:

• AUsing agreed channels, clear identification, and concise intentions for meeting/passing a…
• BSpeaking only in code words unknown to other traffic
• CNever identifying your vessel so competitors cannot track you
• DLeaving the radio off except for emergencies

Cargo gear (winches, wires, blocks) on deck should be inspected and used so that:

• AWorking load limits are respected and defective gear is removed from service
• BAny wire may be loaded far beyond its marked SWL if the job is urgent
• CGuards and limit switches may be bypassed routinely for speed
• DOnly color of the paint determines fitness for use

When planning an upbound transit with a heavy tow against a strong current, a key deck-general consideration is:

• AWhether available horsepower, draft, and fuel endurance support the intended speed-over-g…
• BIgnoring current because only wind matters on rivers
• CRunning at maximum RPM regardless of bank suction or meeting traffic
• DLeaving the engine room unmanned for the entire transit

A notice of arrival or similar vessel movement reporting requirement, when applicable, is intended primarily to:

• AProvide authorities advance information for safety, security, and traffic management
• BReplace the need for charts and publications
• CExempt the vessel from the Inland Rules
• DAllow discharge of oil without permits

When working deck crew on a barge tow in current, the Master should emphasize:

• ALife jackets, fall protection where required, clear communications, and keeping clear of…
• BWorking without PFDs because the water is shallow
• CStanding in bights of wire for better leverage
• DNo need for radios if hand signals are sometimes used

A gyrocompass error check by comparing gyro heading to a known true range or transit is useful because:

• AIt verifies gyro accuracy so courses and bearings can be trusted for piloting
• BIt replaces the need for any magnetic compass forever
• CIt eliminates variation from the chart
• DIt automatically corrects GPS positions

When loading dry bulk into hopper barges, a deck-general concern for the Master is:

• AEven distribution and draft/list control so the barge remains within freeboard and stabil…
• BLoading only one side to reduce trim
• COverloading above marks if the trip is short
• DIgnoring hatch covers because river spray is harmless

An AIS (Automatic Identification System), when fitted and required, is used primarily to:

• AExchange identity, position, and voyage-related data with other vessels and shore station…
• BReplace radar completely in fog
• CAuthorize automatic collision avoidance without human input
• DDisable the need for sound signals

When a towing vessel is pushing a tow and experiences bank suction (bank effect), the Master should expect:

• AThe stern may be drawn toward the near bank and the bow may sheer, requiring early counte…
• BNo effect on steering near banks
• CAutomatic increase in under-keel clearance
• DComplete cancellation of current forces

Drug and alcohol regulations for commercial vessel operations generally require that:

• ACrew perform safety-sensitive duties free from prohibited drugs and alcohol, subject to t…
• BAlcohol is permitted on watch if the Master approves informally
• COnly the cook is subject to chemical testing rules
• DTesting rules apply only after a collision and never before

A Certificate of Inspection (COI), when required for an inspected vessel, is important because it:

• AStates the vessel's inspected status, manning, routes, and conditions under which it may…
• BReplaces the need for a Merchant Mariner Credential for officers
• CIs optional decoration with no operational effect
• DAutomatically expires only after 50 years