USCG Second Mate / Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

Under the International Rules (COLREGS), every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances. This requirement is found in:

• ARule 5
• BRule 6
• CRule 7
• DRule 19

Under COLREGS Rule 6, factors used to determine a safe speed include all of the following EXCEPT:

• AState of visibility and traffic density
• BThe nationality of the other vessel and its flag state registry
• CManeuverability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning abi…
• DAt night, the presence of background light such as from shore lights or back scatter of h…

Under Rule 7, risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel:

• AChanges rapidly and continuously
• BIs always less than 10 degrees from the bow
• CIs obtained only by radar without a visual check
• DDoes not appreciably change

In a crossing situation under International Rule 15, when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall:

• AHold course and speed as the stand-on vessel
• BSound five short and rapid blasts and maintain course
• CKeep out of the way and, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of…
• DAlter course to port to show a green-to-green passing

Under Rule 14 (head-on situation), when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to:

• APort so that each shall pass on the port side of the other
• BStarboard so that each shall pass on the starboard side of the other
• CStarboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other
• DPort only if the other vessel is more than 50 meters in length

A vessel is overtaking when she is coming up with another vessel from a direction more than how many degrees abaft her beam?

• A22.5 degrees
• B45 degrees
• C67.5 degrees
• D112.5 degrees

Under International Rule 9 (narrow channels), 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 a narrow channel or fairway. In addition, a vessel engaged in fishing shall not:

• AAnchor in any channel under any circumstances
• BImpede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway
• CDisplay shapes when underway in a channel
• DUse radar while fishing in a fairway

In a traffic separation scheme under Rule 10, a vessel shall so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone. A vessel crossing a traffic lane shall do so on a heading as nearly as practicable at:

• A45 degrees to the general direction of traffic flow
• BParallel to the general direction of traffic flow
• CRight angles to the general direction of traffic flow
• DAny convenient angle if AIS is transmitting

At night under the International Rules, a power-driven vessel underway of 50 meters or more in length shall exhibit:

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

A vessel not under command (NUC) underway at night exhibits which lights in addition to sidelights and a sternlight when making way through the water?

• ATwo all-round green lights in a vertical line
• BThree all-round lights in a vertical line: red, white, red
• CTwo all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper white and the lower red
• DTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line

Under Rule 35 in restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes:

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

Under Rule 19 (conduct of vessels in restricted visibility), a vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided:

• AAn alteration to starboard for a vessel forward of the beam (other than for a vessel bein…
• BAny reduction of speed
• CUse of sound signals
• DAn alteration of course toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam

Under the hierarchy of responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18), a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of all of the following EXCEPT:

• AA seaplane on the water that is not a vessel constrained by her draft
• BA vessel not under command
• CA vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
• DA vessel engaged in fishing

The danger signal under Rule 34—at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle—may be used when:

• AA vessel is anchoring in fog
• BA vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of another, or is in doubt whether…
• CTwo vessels agree by VHF to a starboard-to-starboard passage in all circumstances
• DA vessel is constrained by her draft in a traffic lane

Under Inland Rules in the United States, which statement about whistle signals is correct compared with the International Rules?

• AInland Rules never allow a one-short-blast signal for meeting or crossing
• BInland Rules require three prolonged blasts as the only meeting signal
• COn Inland waters, one short blast can mean 'I intend to leave you on my port side' in mee…
• DInland and International Rules use identical wording for all meeting and overtaking whist…

When a ship is moving ahead and begins a turn, the pivot point is generally located:

• AAt the stern
• BAt the geometric center of the waterplane only when dead in the water
• CDirectly above the propeller
• DAbout one-third of the vessel's length from the bow

On a single-screw ship with a right-handed propeller, when the engine is put ASTERN the stern typically kicks (walks) toward:

• AStarboard
• BNeither side; force is purely axial
• CPort
• DThe side opposite the rudder only

A standard shot of anchor chain is how long?

• A10 fathoms (60 feet)
• B20 fathoms (120 feet)
• C15 fathoms (90 feet)
• D30 fathoms (180 feet)

As a general rule of thumb for good holding in moderate conditions, the scope of anchor chain (ratio of chain length to depth of water) is often about:

• A5:1 to 7:1
• B1:1 to 2:1
• C3:1 only in all conditions
• D15:1 to 20:1

Stowage factor is best defined as:

• AThe weight of cargo that fills one cubic foot or one cubic meter of space
• BThe ratio of a vessel's deadweight to gross tonnage
• CThe percentage of broken stowage in a hold
• DThe number of cubic feet (or cubic meters) occupied by one long ton (or metric ton) of ca…

Dunnage is primarily used in dry cargo operations to:

• AProtect cargo from moisture, contamination, and damage and to allow ventilation/drainage…
• BIncrease the vessel's GM by adding high weight
• CReplace the need for lashings on all deck cargo
• DMeasure the angle of repose of bulk grain

Broken stowage refers to:

• ASpace in a cargo compartment that cannot be used because of cargo packaging, irregular sh…
• BCargo that has shifted in heavy weather
• CThe difference between gross and net tonnage
• DWaterplane area lost when a hatch is open

When standing an OOW bridge watch, the primary responsibility of the officer of the watch is to:

• AComplete cargo paperwork before looking outside
• BMaintain a safe navigational watch, including collision avoidance and following the passa…
• CLeave the bridge whenever the lookout is present
• DAlter the passage plan without notifying the master whenever AIS targets appear

Bridge resource management (BRM) emphasizes all of the following EXCEPT:

• AClear communication and closed-loop readbacks
• BChallenge and response when safety is in doubt
• CUse of all available bridge equipment and personnel as resources
• DDiscouraging junior officers from questioning a senior officer's decisions in any situati…

Gross register tonnage (GRT) is best described as a measure of:

• AThe vessel's actual cargo deadweight in long tons
• BThe vessel's displacement at summer load line
• CThe vessel's internal volume (under standardized measurement rules), not its weight
• DThe maximum bollard pull of the vessel

Freeboard is the vertical distance measured from:

• AThe keel to the waterline
• BThe masthead to the waterline
• CThe deck line (or upper edge of the deck line) to the waterline on each side
• DThe bilge keel to the sheer strake

A vessel's Certificate of Inspection (COI) is issued by the:

• AU.S. Coast Guard for U.S. inspected vessels, certifying the vessel may be operated under…
• BClassification society only, without Coast Guard involvement on U.S. inspected vessels
• CInternational Maritime Organization directly to each ship
• DFederal Communications Commission

Form CG-2692 is used to report:

• AApplication for an original Merchant Mariner Credential
• BA marine casualty or commercial diving casualty as required
• CSea service on small vessels
• DMedical evaluation of a mariner

When loading heavy-lift cargo, the chief officer/second mate planning concern of first importance among the following is usually:

• AWeight, dimensions, lifting points, ship's gear/crane limits, stability (GM and list), an…
• BPaint color of the hatch coaming
• CWhether the cargo is palletized for stores only
• DAIS static data accuracy

The angle of repose of a bulk cargo is:

• AThe maximum angle of the heel of the ship before cargo shifts
• BThe angle between the keel and the propeller shaft
• CAlways 30 degrees for all grain cargoes by regulation
• DThe natural angle to the horizontal at which a piled bulk material will stand without sli…

On a conventional merchant ship, the emergency steering gear is typically located:

• AIn the forecastle store
• BIn or adjacent to the steering gear compartment, aft
• CInside the gyrocompass repeater
• DOn the flying bridge only

A hygroscopic cargo is one that:

• ACannot be damaged by heat under any conditions
• BAbsorbs moisture from the air and may sweat or be damaged by moisture exchange
• CIs always carried on deck only
• DHas zero vapor pressure

When preparing a cargo hold for grain, a primary regulatory/operational concern is:

• AEliminating the need for any securing because grain never shifts
• BFilling, trimming, and securing as required so the grain surface cannot shift dangerously…
• CLoading only on deck lashings without hold preparation
• DKeeping the hold 50% empty to improve GM always

The term 'hogging' describes a condition in which:

• AThe midships section sags lower than the ends
• BThe vessel lists permanently to port
• CThe rudder is hard over continuously
• DThe bow and stern are lower than the midships section relative to a straight keel line (m…

A 'tweendeck' on a dry cargo ship is:

• AAn intermediate deck between the main/upper deck and the tank top, creating upper and low…
• BThe double-bottom tank top only
• CThe monkey island plating
• DThe weather deck camber measurement

When making a lee for a small boat or pilot transfer, the usual objective is to:

• AAlways put the wind on the starboard beam regardless of sea
• BStop engines with the beam sea on the transfer side
• CSteer directly into the trough at full sea speed
• DPlace the transfer side in the smoothest water by using ship heading and speed relative t…

Under typical merchant practice, the official logbook entries for which the master is responsible include casualties, births/deaths, and other legally required events. The third mate's routine deck log (bridge log) is primarily used to record:

• AOnly the crew's overtime hours
• BClassification society survey checklists exclusively
• CNavigational and operational events of the watch: courses, speeds, weather, traffic, dril…
• DCargo tallies in the hold only

Interaction effects between ships in a narrow channel can include bank cushion, bank suction, and ship-to-ship interaction. Bank suction typically tends to:

• ALift the entire vessel vertically with no yaw moment
• BOnly affect vessels at anchor
• CPush the bow away from the near bank and pull the stern toward the near bank
• DIncrease underkeel clearance automatically

Squat is the bodily sinkage and change of trim of a ship underway in shallow water caused by:

• ADecreased pressure under the hull as flow speeds up in the restricted underkeel clearance…
• BIncreased pressure under the hull at higher speed in shallow water
• COnly the weight of fuel burned during the passage
• DGyrocompass error

A bill of lading in carriage of goods by sea typically serves as:

• AA vessel safety radio certificate
• BA receipt for goods, evidence of the contract of carriage, and (in negotiable form) a doc…
• CA substitute for the Certificate of Inspection
• DAn STCW certificate for the master

A Class A fire involves:

• ACombustible metals such as magnesium
• BFlammable liquids such as oil or gasoline
• CEnergized electrical equipment only
• DOrdinary combustible solid materials such as wood, paper, and cloth

A Class B fire is best described as a fire involving:

• AWood and paper only
• BFlammable liquids and gases
• CCooking oils in a galley deep-fat fryer only under all classification systems
• DCombustible metals

The PASS method for portable extinguishers stands for:

• APush, Activate, Spray, Stop
• BPrime, Aim, Spray, Secure
• CPull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
• DPull, Advance, Smother, Seal

Before releasing a fixed CO2 total-flooding system into a machinery space, the most important preparatory actions include:

• AOpening all ventilation to feed the fire with air
• BStarting the fuel oil purifiers to clear the space
• CEnsuring personnel are evacuated from the space, ventilation is shut down, openings are s…
• DFlooding the space with water first in all cases

Boundary cooling is used primarily to:

• AIncrease the free surface in the fire compartment deliberately
• BReplace the need for any extinguishing agent on the fire itself
• CVentilate smoke into accommodation spaces
• DCool adjacent bulkheads/decks to prevent heat transfer and fire spread to other compartme…

An immersion suit (survival suit) is designed primarily to:

• AReplace the lifejacket in all daily work aloft
• BProvide thermal protection to delay hypothermia if the wearer is in cold water after aban…
• CServe as fire proximity clothing in the engine room
• DAct as a working dry suit for tank cleaning

A hydrostatic release unit (HRU) on a liferaft cradle is designed to:

• AAutomatically release the raft from its cradle when submerged to a designed depth if the…
• BInflate the raft when the painter is pulled by hand only
• CReplace the need for a painter line
• DSteer the raft toward shore

A 406 MHz EPIRB is primarily designed to:

• AReply to X-band radar interrogations with a series of dots on the radar display
• BTransmit a distress alert via satellite (COSPAS-SARSAT) to launch search and rescue, ofte…
• CReplace the ship's AIS transponder for collision avoidance
• DMeasure barometric pressure for weather routing