USCG Mate Great Lakes and Inland 500-1600 GRT

As mate on watch under Rule 5 (Inland and International), you must maintain a proper lookout by:

• ARadar alone when visibility is restricted
• BAIS only when other vessels are within 6 nautical miles
• CSight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
• DVisual observation only, because electronics can mislead

Your vessel is fitted with operational radar. Under Rule 7 you must:

• ARely on the radar picture alone and dispense with visual bearings
• BUse the radar only when visibility falls below two miles
• CAssume that a target not shown on AIS is not a real vessel
• DCarry out long-range scanning for early warning and plot or systematically observe detect…

Rule 16 states the duty of the give-way vessel. She shall, so far as possible:

• ASound one prolonged blast before making any alteration
• BCross ahead of the stand-on vessel so as to clear the situation quickly
• CTake early and substantial action to keep well clear
• DMatch the stand-on vessel's speed until the situation resolves

Two sailing vessels are approaching one another with risk of collision and each has the wind on a different side. Under Rule 12:

• AThe vessel on the starboard tack keeps out of the way
• BThe windward vessel keeps out of the way
• CBoth alter course to starboard
• DThe vessel which has the wind on the port side keeps out of the way of the other

Under Rule 23, a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may, in lieu of a masthead light and sternlight, exhibit:

• ATwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• BAn all-round white light together with sidelights
• CA flashing yellow light only
• DNo lights at all, provided a torch is kept ready

You are overtaking another vessel. Under Rule 13, you are:

• AThe stand-on vessel if you are larger
• BRequired only to sound one short blast and maintain course
• CThe give-way vessel and must keep clear until finally past and clear
• DFree to cut across the overtaken vessel's bow once abeam

In restricted visibility under Rule 19, a vessel which detects by radar alone another vessel forward of her beam should determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and:

• AAlways alter course to port to open the CPA
• BIf so, take avoiding action in ample time; if altering course, avoid an alteration to por…
• CImmediately reverse engines without assessing the situation
• DSound five short blasts only and maintain course and speed

Under Inland Rules, the danger signal of at least five short and rapid blasts is used when:

• AVisibility drops below one nautical mile
• BA vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of another, or is in doubt whether…
• CYou intend to overtake on the starboard side
• DYou are leaving a dock in a fairway

In a narrow channel under Rule 9, 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 the channel. As mate, you should:

• ARequire the deep-draft vessel to leave the channel for you
• BCross the channel at any angle without regard to other traffic
• CKeep clear of deep-draft traffic that is channel-bound and avoid creating a close-quarter…
• DAnchor in mid-channel to wait for better weather

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (not fishing) underway at night shows, among other lights:

• AGreen over white all-round lights
• BThree all-round lights in a vertical line: red, white, red
• COne all-round white light only
• DTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line only

Under Inland Rules on the Great Lakes (except Western Rivers special applications), when power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way. This is the same principle as International Rule:

• A14
• B13
• C15
• D9

You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. Under Rule 17 you shall initially:

• AStop engines and drift until the other vessel acts
• BAlways alter course to port immediately
• CSound one prolonged blast every two minutes and maintain course only
• DKeep your course and speed, but may take action to avoid collision as soon as it becomes…

A vessel at anchor at night (not aground, not special) of less than 50 meters generally exhibits:

• ATwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• BAn all-round white light where it can best be seen
• CMasthead lights, sidelights, and a sternlight
• DSidelights and a sternlight only

Safe speed under Rule 6 must be such that you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances. Factors include:

• AOnly the vessel's maximum continuous rating speed
• BOnly AIS traffic counts within 3 miles
• CVisibility, traffic density, maneuverability, background lights, wind/sea/current, and dr…
• DOnly the posted channel speed limit, regardless of fog

Under Rule 18, a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel:

• AOnly larger commercial vessels
• BNot under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, engaged in fishing, or sailing (sub…
• COnly vessels at anchor
• DOnly vessels showing a diamond day shape

In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds:

• AFive short blasts continuously
• BTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• COne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• DOne short blast every minute

You intend to overtake another power-driven vessel on the Western Rivers under Inland Rules in a narrow channel. If agreement by whistle is required, one short blast means you intend to:

• AMeet head-on port to port
• BOvertake on the other vessel's port side
• COvertake on the other vessel's starboard side
• DStop and reverse

A vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling shows, when underway at night (Rule 26):

• AA single all-round yellow light only
• BMasthead lights only, same as a power-driven vessel
• CTwo all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower white, plus sideligh…
• DTwo all-round green lights in a vertical line

When relieving the mate on watch on a limited-tonnage inland/GL vessel, the relieving officer should first:

• AChange course to the next waypoint without briefing
• BTurn off the radar to reduce power load
• CReceive a thorough handover covering position, traffic, weather, machinery status, orders…
• DSign the log and leave the bridge immediately

As mate of the watch, when is the proper time to call the master regarding navigation?

• AOnly after a collision has occurred
• BOnly at the end of the watch
• CWhenever in doubt about the vessel's safety, traffic situation, equipment failure, or whe…
• DNever on inland waters

When preparing to anchor on a limited-tonnage vessel in a river with current, the mate should primarily consider:

• ADepth, nature of bottom, swinging room, current/wind, traffic, and scope of chain required
• BWhether AIS is transmitting an at-anchor status before stopping
• COnly the color of the water
• DOnly the vessel's maximum speed

As a rule of thumb for ordinary weather at anchor, a common starting scope of chain is about:

• A1 times the depth of water
• B5 to 7 times the depth of water (adjusted for tide/level, weather, and bottom)
• C20 times the vessel's length only
• DExactly 10 fathoms regardless of depth

When mooring alongside in current, the preferred general practice for controlling the vessel is to:

• ADrop both anchors while still making full way
• BUse spring lines and engine/rudder thoughtfully so the current helps hold the vessel alon…
• CApproach broadside at high speed
• DRely only on the bow thruster with no lines until fully secured

The draft marks on the hull indicate:

• AThe height of the mast above the keel
• BCargo tonnage currently aboard only
• CFreeboard remaining to the deck edge only, with no relation to keel
• DThe distance from the bottom of the keel (or reference) to the waterline at that mark loc…

Compass error is equal to:

• AGyro error minus leeway
• BOnly deviation, ignoring variation
• CVariation plus deviation (with east positive or by algebraic sign convention used)
• DOnly variation, ignoring deviation

When taking a magnetic compass bearing for a fix as mate of the watch, you should:

• AIdentify the object, take the bearing carefully, note the time and heading, and correct t…
• BUse only the GPS COG as a substitute for all visual bearings
• CTake bearings only on floating debris
• DEstimate the bearing by eye without instruments

A vessel's GM (metacentric height) being relatively large generally means:

• AThe vessel is relatively stiff and will return upright more quickly, possibly with a snap…
• BGM has no relation to rolling behavior
• CThe vessel will always capsize in a small beam sea
• DThe vessel has no stability at all

Before starting hot work (welding/cutting) on deck as the mate supervising, you should ensure:

• AA hot-work permit/procedure is followed, fire watch is set, combustibles are protected, a…
• BOnly that the welder has a flashlight
• CThat bilges are filled with fuel for ventilation
• DThat all fire detectors are disabled permanently

Oil pollution prevention under U.S. law for commercial vessels includes, among other duties, that the mate understand:

• AAny amount of bilge oil may be pumped overboard in inland waters freely
• BReporting is required only if more than 1,000 barrels are spilled
• COnly foreign-flag ships must prevent oil pollution
• DNo oily mixture may be discharged except as allowed by MARPOL/APPS and applicable regulat…

When heaving short before weighing anchor, the mate is primarily:

• APaying out all remaining chain on the winch
• BLetting go a second anchor underfoot immediately
• CSecuring the anchor for sea while still fully veered
• DShortening the rode/chain so the vessel is nearly over the anchor before breaking it out

A chafing gear or anti-chafe arrangement on a mooring line is used to:

• AIncrease the breaking strength of the line beyond its rated strength
• BReplace the need for a spring line
• CMark the midpoint of the vessel only
• DProtect the line where it rubs on fairleads, chocks, or rough surfaces

On a limited-tonnage vessel, the mate's deck log entries for the watch should typically include:

• APersonal opinions about other ships with no facts
• BNothing if the voyage is inland
• CSignificant navigational events, weather, course/speed changes, traffic incidents, and or…
• DOnly the names of the galley crew

When working cargo or stores with a crane or boom as mate supervising the deck, a primary safety control is:

• AUsing damaged wire rope if the frays look minor
• BAllowing anyone under a suspended load to steady it by hand routinely
• CDisabling limit switches to speed work
• DEstablishing a clear lift plan, exclusion zones, communication, and never exceeding SWL o…

Free surface effect in a partially filled tank tends to:

• AHave no effect on stability
• BIncrease GM and make the vessel stiffer
• CReduce the vessel's effective GM and make the vessel more tender
• DAlways improve damage stability

When approaching a lock on inland waters as mate of the watch, good practice includes:

• AEntering at full harbor speed without radio call
• BRafting unattended barges across the lock gates
• CEarly contact with the lockmaster, controlled speed, ready lines/fenders, and clear crew…
• DDropping anchor inside the lock chamber while gates are moving

The term "lee shore" means:

• AA shore from which the wind is blowing, offering a sheltered approach
• BA shore toward which the wind is blowing, onto which a vessel may be driven
• COnly the shore with a lighthouse
• DAny tropical coastline

When using a gypsy head or warping drum for line handling, the mate should ensure:

• AThe line is made fast permanently to the drum while steaming at sea
• BNo PPE is needed because synthetic lines do not snap back
• CTurns are applied carefully, the line is tended, and personnel keep clear of riding turns…
• DAs many loose turns as possible stack without tending

A vessel's air draft is important when:

• ATransiting under bridges or overhead cables where vertical clearance is limited
• BOnly calculating fuel consumption
• CSetting radar range rings only
• DDetermining propeller pitch only

When the vessel is being piloted by a compulsory pilot, the mate of the watch should:

• AContinue to monitor the vessel's position and safety; the master/mate remains responsible…
• BLeave the bridge entirely once the pilot boards
• CRefuse all pilot recommendations without discussion
• DTurn off all navigation equipment so the pilot uses only visual cues

Trim by the stern on a limited-tonnage vessel typically:

• AMeans the bow is deeper than the stern
• BAlways decreases fuel use regardless of conditions
• CHas no effect on handling
• DCan improve directional stability and propeller immersion but may affect forward draft an…

In shipboard fire classification, a Class B fire involves:

• AOrdinary combustibles such as wood and paper only
• BEnergized electrical equipment only
• CCombustible metals such as magnesium only
• DFlammable liquids such as oil, fuel, or grease

The primary extinguishing action of a CO2 portable extinguisher is to:

• ACool the fuel below ignition temperature with large water volume
• BConduct electricity away from the fire
• CSaponify cooking oil like a wet chemical
• DDisplace oxygen and smother the fire

When discovering a fire as mate of the watch, the immediate priorities are generally:

• ARaise the alarm, report location/type if known, ensure personnel safety, and begin firefi…
• BVentilate heavily into the fire without assessment
• CAbandon ship immediately without alarm in all cases
• DHide the fire until the next port

Personal flotation devices (PFDs) on a commercial vessel should be:

• AAvailable, serviceable, correctly sized, and worn when required by regulation, company po…
• BUsed primarily as seat cushions on deck
• CPainted over so they last longer
• DLocked permanently in a storeroom with no access during work

In a man-overboard situation as mate of the watch, the first actions typically include:

• AContinue to the next port without maneuvering
• BShout "man overboard," release a lifebuoy/marker, note position/time, notify bridge team/…
• CTurn off the GPS to protect privacy
• DWait 30 minutes to see if the person swims back

A periodic inspection of a stowed immersion suit should check:

• AThat the suit has never been unpacked, proving it is unused
• BZipper condition and lubrication, seam integrity, and any tears or hardening of the mater…
• CThe current market value of the suit
• DThat the suits are stowed in alphabetical order by crew name

Before entering a confined space (void, tank, cofferdam), the mate must ensure:

• AThat the space is entered alone to save time
• BThat cigarette smoking is used to test for gas
• CThe space is tested for oxygen and toxic/flammable gases, ventilated as required, permit…
• DOnly that the hatch is open for 30 seconds