USCG Mate Offshore Supply Vessels

Under Rule 5 and STCW watchkeeping standards, the person assigned as lookout on an OSV bridge:

• AMust be able to give full attention to keeping a proper lookout and be given no other dut…
• BMay also steer the vessel at any time, because the helm position has a clear view ahead
• CIs required only between sunset and sunrise
• DMay be replaced by AIS whenever traffic is light

In determining whether risk of collision exists, Rule 7 expressly requires that a vessel:

• AMake proper use of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanni…
• BAssume no risk exists whenever the other vessel is more than 5 miles away
• CAct on scanty radar information rather than delay a decision
• DWait until the other vessel sounds a maneuvering signal

As give-way vessel in a crossing you decide to pass astern of the stand-on vessel. Under Rules 8 and 16 that action must be:

• ATaken in ample time and large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel observing…
• BMade as a series of small heading changes of two or three degrees each
• CDelayed until the closest point of approach is inside 0.2 nautical miles
• DAnnounced on VHF instead of being made with helm or engines

Under Rule 14, a head-on situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night could see:

• AThe masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both of her sidelig…
• BOnly the sternlight of the other vessel
• CA single green sidelight with no masthead light
• DTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line

An overtaking vessel later alters her bearing so that the geometry begins to look like a crossing. Under Rule 13(d) she:

• ARemains the overtaking vessel and must keep out of the way until finally past and clear
• BBecomes the stand-on vessel because Rule 15 now governs
• CMay sound five short blasts and then hold her course and speed
• DIs relieved of all further duty once she draws abeam

In an overtaking situation, which vessel is the give-way vessel?

• AThe vessel that is overtaking
• BThe vessel being overtaken
• CBoth vessels equally
• DThe vessel with the other on her port side

Under Rule 17, the stand-on vessel shall:

• AKeep her course and speed, but may take action to avoid collision if it becomes apparent…
• BAlways alter course to port
• CImmediately reverse engines upon sighting another vessel
• DSound one prolonged blast every two minutes

In restricted visibility, a vessel not under command, restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, engaged in fishing, or towing shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes:

• AOne prolonged blast followed by two short blasts
• BOne prolonged blast only
• CTwo prolonged blasts only
• DFour short blasts only

A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water in restricted visibility shall sound:

• ATwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• BOne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
• COne short blast every minute
• DRapid ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds every minute

In restricted visibility under Rule 19, a vessel that detects by radar alone another vessel and determines that a close-quarters situation is developing shall:

• ATake avoiding action in ample time; if that action consists of an alteration of course, a…
• BMaintain course and speed until visual contact is established
• CImmediately reverse engines and sound five short blasts
• DAlways alter course to port for a vessel forward of the beam

Under the International Rules, a vessel 'constrained by her draught' is best described as a power-driven vessel which:

• ABecause of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is…
• BIs aground and waiting to be refloated
• CHas a draught of more than 10 metres in any water
• DIs restricted in her ability to manoeuvre by the nature of the work she is performing

Rule 3 defines a vessel 'not under command' as a vessel which:

• AThrough some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by the Rules and…
• BHas simply chosen not to keep a proper lookout
• CIs lying to a single anchor in a designated anchorage
• DIs engaged in fishing with gear that restricts her manoeuvrability

A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, when making way through the water, shall exhibit in addition to masthead light(s), sidelights, and sternlight:

• AThree all-round lights in a vertical line: red, white, red; by day, a ball, diamond, and…
• BTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line only
• CThree all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DOne all-round red light

Under Inland Rules, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other, a power-driven vessel intending to leave another on her port side may sound:

• AOne short blast
• BTwo short blasts
• CThree short blasts
• DFive short blasts

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 that can safely navigate only within the narrow channel or fairway. A power-driven vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel shall, when it is safe and practicable:

• AKeep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard sid…
• BKeep to the centerline of the channel at all times
• CKeep as near to the port-hand outer limit as possible
• DAnchor in the fairway if traffic is heavy

A vessel that must cross a traffic lane shall, so far as practicable, cross it:

• AOn a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic…
• BAt a fine angle, so as to spend the least possible time inside the lane
• COnly at the termination of the lane
• DOnly while exhibiting three all-round red lights in a vertical line

Which light arrangement identifies a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length underway?

• AA masthead light forward, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward on…
• BSidelights and sternlight only
• CAn all-round white light and sidelights only
• DThree all-round red lights in a vertical line

Under Rule 34, the danger signal of at least five short and rapid blasts may be supplemented by:

• AA light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes from an all-round white light
• BA red flare fired from the bridge wing
• CTwo black balls hoisted where they can best be seen
• DContinuous rapid ringing of the ship's bell

Under Rule 18(d), any vessel other than one not under command or restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit:

• AAvoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught exhibiting the sig…
• BKeep out of the way of every seaplane on the water
• CGive way to any vessel of greater gross tonnage
• DAlter course to port for any vessel forward of the beam

Under the Inland Rules, a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside (other than a composite unit) exhibits sidelights, two masthead lights in a vertical line, and:

• ATwo towing lights in a vertical line in place of a sternlight
• BA sternlight with one yellow towing light directly above it
• CThree all-round red lights in a vertical line
• DA single all-round white light in place of all other lights

During a bridge watch handover on an OSV, the relieving mate should NOT take the watch until:

• ASatisfied that the vessel's position, traffic situation, status of equipment, standing or…
• BThe previous watch officer has left the bridge
• CThe master has signed the night orders regardless of content
• DGPS shows a position fix even if other navigation systems are offline and unverified

Bridge resource management (BRM) on an OSV primarily emphasizes:

• AEffective use of all human and technical resources available to the bridge team to mainta…
• BMinimizing crew on the bridge to reduce distraction
• CRelying solely on the master's judgment without input from the watch officer
• DTurning off non-essential alarms to reduce noise

When preparing to anchor an OSV, the mate of the watch should ensure all of the following EXCEPT:

• AThat the anchor is walked out only after the vessel is hard aground
• BThat depth, nature of bottom, swinging room, and traffic are considered
• CThat the windlass, brakes, and communications with the bridge are tested and ready
• DThat scope of chain is planned for depth and expected weather

A common rule of thumb for anchor chain scope in moderate conditions is approximately:

• A5 to 7 times the depth of water (plus freeboard to hawsepipe, as applicable)
• B1 times the depth of water
• C20 times the depth of water in all conditions
• DExactly 3 shackles regardless of depth

When mooring an OSV alongside, the spring lines primarily serve to:

• AControl fore-and-aft movement of the vessel along the berth
• BProvide the only means of breasting the vessel off the dock
• CReplace the need for head and stern lines
• DAct solely as emergency towing lines

On an offshore supply vessel supporting drilling operations, bulk liquid mud (drilling fluid) is typically transferred using:

• ADedicated tanks, pumps, and deck manifolds with procedures for containment and communicat…
• BOpen deck barrels rolled by hand only
• CThe potable water system without isolation
• DBallast tanks with no manifold valves

Before starting a bulk liquid transfer on an OSV cargo deck, the mate should verify:

• ACorrect tanks aligned, valves set, communications established, containment ready, and tra…
• BOnly that the hose is on deck, regardless of valve lineup
• CThat all scuppers are open to sea for free drainage of any spill
• DThat no crew are assigned because automation will stop any spill

The transverse watertight bulkheads of a ship primarily serve to:

• ASubdivide the hull for damage stability and structural strength
• BIncrease free surface effect in all tanks
• CEliminate the need for bilge systems
• DProvide the only means of longitudinal strength

Free surface effect in a partially filled tank reduces stability primarily by:

• ARaising the virtual center of gravity as liquid shifts when the vessel heels
• BLowering the vessel's displacement
• CIncreasing the metacentric height (GM) automatically
• DEliminating the righting arm at all angles of heel

On an OSV engaged in offshore supply, deck cargo should be secured so that:

• AIt will not shift in a seaway, using appropriate lashings, stops, and stowage patterns fo…
• BIt is left free to slide to self-level the deck load
• COnly gravity and friction are used regardless of weather forecast
• DIt is stacked above the height of the cargo rails without regard to visibility or stabili…

When working cargo under a platform crane on an OSV, the mate of the watch should prioritize:

• ASafe approach, station-keeping relative to the installation, clear deck communications, a…
• BMaximum speed alongside regardless of weather limits
• CLeaving the bridge unmanned to help on deck
• DDisconnecting VHF to avoid distraction

The draft marks on a vessel are used primarily to:

• ADetermine the vessel's immersion (draft) forward, amidships, and aft for loading, stabili…
• BMeasure air draft only
• CIndicate the year the vessel was built
• DShow the maximum propeller RPM

Trim of a vessel is best described as:

• AThe difference between forward and after drafts
• BThe angle of list to port or starboard
• CThe freeboard to the uppermost continuous deck only
• DThe vessel's metacentric height

A vessel heels to a fixed angle to starboard and, when forced upright, settles at a similar angle to port. This behaviour indicates:

• AAn angle of loll caused by negative initial GM
• BA list caused by an off-centre weight
• CNormal rolling in a beam sea
• DSquat while underway in shallow water

Under the Navigation Safety Regulations concepts applicable to many inspected vessels (33 CFR Part 164), the person directing the movement of the vessel must ensure that:

• AThe vessel has adequate charts, publications, and navigational equipment for the intended…
• BOnly a single GPS receiver is used with all other methods disabled
• CPaper charts are never used if any electronic chart is available
• DRadar is optional in restricted visibility

When heaving short prior to weighing anchor, "heaving short" means:

• AHeaving in chain until the anchor is nearly up and down, ready for breakout
• BPaying out all available chain on deck
• CDisconnecting the anchor from the chain
• DSetting a second anchor underfoot immediately

On an OSV, the term "dead ship" typically refers to a condition in which:

• AThe vessel has lost main propulsion and electrical power, requiring special emergency pro…
• BThe vessel is at maximum continuous sea speed
• COnly the cargo pumps are secured
• DThe vessel is fully loaded on even keel

Gyrocompass error is best determined by:

• AComparing the gyro heading with a known true bearing of a range, celestial azimuth, or ot…
• BAssuming it is always zero after installation
• CUsing only the magnetic compass without any true reference
• DReading only the rate of turn indicator

When a magnetic compass heading is compared to a true course, the relationship is:

• ATrue course = magnetic course + variation (E) or − variation (W), then apply deviation; o…
• BTrue course always equals compass course with no corrections
• CVariation is applied only to gyro courses
• DDeviation is the same for all headings on all vessels

While on watch, you notice a marked discrepancy between radar ranges/bearings to charted objects and the GPS position. Your BEST immediate action is to:

• ATreat the position as uncertain, cross-check by all available means, slow or stop if requ…
• BIgnore radar and trust GPS exclusively
• CIgnore GPS and continue at full speed without investigation
• DTurn off all navigation equipment to reset automatically

A man overboard is reported on the starboard side. As mate of the watch, your FIRST actions should generally include:

• AMark the position (MOB function/GPS), release a lifebuoy with light/smoke if appropriate,…
• BContinue to the next port before investigating
• CSecure from lookout to reduce confusion
• DImmediately flood the engine room bilges

The purpose of a Pilot Card / bridge information exchange when a pilot embarks is to:

• AShare essential vessel particulars, maneuvering data, equipment status, and passage plan…
• BReplace the master's responsibility for the vessel's safety
• CAllow the bridge team to leave the bridge
• DProvide only the vessel's last port of call

On many OSVs, cargo rails or crash rails on the main deck are intended primarily to:

• AHelp restrain deck cargo from going overboard and protect the deck edge area
• BServe as the only required cargo lashing
• CReplace watertight hatch coamings
• DIndicate maximum draft

When using a windlass to heave anchor, the brake and wildcat/gypsy engagement should be operated so that:

• AThe chain is controlled at all times, with the brake used as required and personnel clear…
• BThe brake is left fully released with no one attending while chain runs free over the sid…
• CCrew stand in the bight of chain for better control
• DThe wildcat is never engaged during recovery

A vessel's reserve buoyancy is best described as:

• AThe volume of the watertight hull above the waterline that provides additional buoyancy i…
• BThe total capacity of the fuel tanks
• CThe horsepower of the main engines
• DThe weight of the anchor and chain

When taking a towline on an OSV for emergency or support towing, a key risk to control is:

• ASnap-back from a parted synthetic line and uncontrolled lateral loads on bitts and fairle…
• BExcessive free surface in empty tanks only
• CLoss of magnetic variation
• DIncrease of charted water depth

The load line mark (Plimsoll mark) indicates:

• AThe maximum allowable draft under stated conditions/seasons and freeboard assignment
• BThe minimum speed for steerageway
• CThe maximum RPM of the main engine
• DThe vessel's official number only