national maritime center - united states coast guard...• (a) complete the stroke, raise your oar...

National Maritime Center Serving Our Nation’s Mariners

U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam

Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons

Q391-Deck General-Safety

(Sample Examination)

of 19 Q391-Deck General-Safety

8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3

Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions.

1. Which will most likely occur when your vessel enters shallow water?

o (A) Rudder action will become more effective o (B) An increase in speed will occur • (C) The vessel's trim will change o (D) The vessel's list will decrease

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

2. How many months after its expiration date may a Coast Guard credential be renewed without retaking the complete exam?

o (A) 1 month o (B) 6 months • (C) 12 months o (D) 24 months


3. What is the effect of spreading oil on the open sea?

o (A) Lengthening the distance between successive crests • (B) Preventing the wave crests from breaking o (C) Diminishing the height of the seas o (D) Increasing the height of the seas

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

4. If you must enter water on which there is an oil fire, you should __________.

o (A) keep both hands in front of your face to break the water surface when diving head first o (B) wear very light clothing o (C) protect your life preserver by holding it above your head • (D) enter the water on the windward side of the vessel

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

5. Which term defines the process of dividing the total volume of the ship in cubic feet (after omission of exempted spaces) by 100?

o (A) Light displacement o (B) Bale cubic o (C) Net tonnage • (D) Gross tonnage



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 6. Mooring wire fiber tails should be inspected on a regular basis. Which of the following would be

included in the inspection?

o (A) Inspection of the overall length to determine amount of stretch • (B) Inspection of the connection between the wire and tail o (C) Inspection for any signs of fading o (D) Inspection of the diameter and replace if there is a 10% increase


7. What is the purpose of a striker plate?

o (A) Provides surface for applying force on machinery o (B) Absorbs machinery vibration o (C) Prevents valve stem over-travel • (D) Provides landing surface for the sounding bob


8. Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed during the day while bunkering?

o (A) A red light • (B) A red flag o (C) A yellow flag o (D) A red and yellow flag


9. Which term defines cargo that is highly susceptible to damage by tainting from odorous cargo?

o (A) Clean cargo o (B) Immune cargo o (C) Dry cargo • (D) Delicate cargo


10. Accumulations of oily rags should be __________.

o (A) kept in nonmetal containers o (B) cleaned thoroughly for reuse • (C) discarded as soon as possible o (D) kept in the paint locker



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 11. A vessel reduces speed without backing. Which item is the primary factor that determines the rate

that her speed through the water decreases?

o (A) The vessel's horsepower • (B) The vessel's displacement o (C) The number of propellers o (D) The sea state


12. You are using tackle number 12 as shown in illustration D029DG below to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 2. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig?

o (A) 9 o (B) 10 • (C) 14 o (D) 21


13. Each distress signal and self-activated smoke signal must be replaced not later than the marked date of expiration, or, from the date of manufacture, not later than which timeframe?

o (A) 6 months o (B) 12 months o (C) 24 months • (D) 42 months


14. The force acting on a single cargo runner which is vertically lifting or lowering a load is greatest when __________.

o (A) lowering the load at constant speed o (B) raising the load at constant speed • (C) decelerating when lowering the load o (D) decelerating when raising the load



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 15. You are at sea and have received a General Emergency message announcing the outbreak of war

in Europe. You are directed to comply with the instructions in NGA (NIMA) PUB 117, Chapter Eight. Which statement is TRUE?

o (A) When over 200 miles from a port in the danger zone, you should not darken ship. o (B) If on a coastwise voyage along the east coast of the U.S., you should put into the nearest

port. • (C) You should attempt to submit an AMVER report to NSA. o (D) You should only enter a port in the danger zone during hours of darkness.


16. All personnel on board a vessel should be familiar with the rescue boat's __________.

o (A) fuel consumption rates o (B) navigational systems o (C) maintenance schedules • (D) boarding and operating procedure


17. A large vessel is equipped with a controllable pitch propeller. Which statement is TRUE?

o (A) When the vessel has headway and the propeller is in neutral, there is no effect on rudder control.

• (B) When dead in the water, it is often difficult to find the neutral position and slight headway or sternway may result.

o (C) When maneuvering in port, full ahead or astern power can usually be obtained without changing shaft RPM.

o (D) When going directly from full ahead to full astern, there is complete steering control.


18. A 750 foot passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes, not subject to SOLAS regulations, is required to carry how many ring life buoys?

• (A) 24 o (B) 18 o (C) 12 o (D) 6

If choice A is selected set score to 1.


8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 19. Which statement about a tunnel bow thruster is TRUE?

o (A) It is fully effective at speeds up to about six knots. • (B) It provides lateral control without affecting headway. o (C) It can be used to slow the ship in addition to backing down. o (D) It will allow you to hold a position when the current is from astern.


20. Two vessels are abreast of each other and passing port to port in a confined waterway. What should you expect as your bow approaches the screws of the other vessel?

• (A) Your bow will sheer towards the other vessel. o (B) Your draft will significantly decrease. o (C) Your speed will significantly increase. o (D) Your bow will sheer away from the other vessel.


21. Before using a fixed CO2 system to fight an engine room fire, you must __________.

o (A) secure the engine room ventilation o (B) secure the machinery in the engine room o (C) evacuate all engine room personnel • (D) All of the above


22. What is the primary danger when dealing with a helicopter fire?

o (A) Loss of stability o (B) Heat damage to helicopter structure • (C) Burning jet fuel running on to quarters or other areas o (D) Rotating and flying debris


23. Which agency must approve the Safety equipment on board inspected vessels?

o (A) The National Safety Council o (B) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • (C) The U.S. Coast Guard o (D) The Safety Standards Bureau



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 24. When the GMDSS Radio Operator on watch hears "SECURITE" spoken three times he can expect

to receive a message concerning __________.

o (A) the safety of a vessel or a person is in jeopardy o (B) a coast station traffic list o (C) a vessel in need of immediate assistance • (D) the safety of navigation or important meteorological warnings


25. As a ship moves through the water, it causes a wake, which is also moving forward relative to the sea. In addition to a fore and aft motion, which direction will the wake flow?

o (A) Upward and outward flow • (B) Upward and inward flow o (C) Downward and outward flow o (D) Downward and inward flow


26. When approaching a fire from leeward you should shield firefighters from the fire by using __________.

o (A) a straight stream of water • (B) high-velocity fog o (C) low-velocity fog o (D) foam spray


27. The shipping papers for the products being carried in your tankship are NOT required to contain which information?

o (A) The grades of the cargoes o (B) The location of the delivery point(s) o (C) The name of the consignee(s) • (D) The exact quantity of the cargoes



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Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 28. You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch. After reviewing the

chart and having been briefed by the off-going mate, you are now ready to effect the relief. When is the watch officially transferred to you?

o (A) As the mate being relieved says, "You have the conn" and you state the ship's course • (B) When you say, "I relieve you" and you state the course per gyro and magnetic compasses o (C) When you state the vessel's charted position, present course and port of destination o (D) As the mate being relieved tells you the vessel's course and speed and states that you have

the watch


29. Which of the following aspects of a flooded space will most adversely affect transverse stability if it is subject to free communication?

• (A) Off-center o (B) Completely flooded o (C) Open to the sea above and below the waterline o (D) On the centerline


30. In illustration D016SA below, what number indicates the frapping line?

o (A) 1 • (B) 2 o (C) 3 o (D) 4


31. Which data can NOT be found on a moisture equilibrium chart?

o (A) Dry bulb temperature o (B) Vapor pressure o (C) Moisture content • (D) Wet bulb temperature


32. While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

o (A) Racetrack turn o (B) Round turn o (C) figure eight turn • (D) Williamson turn



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 33. If you are operating on the Inland Waters of the United States, which of the following may you

discharge overboard?

o (A) Bottles o (B) Metal o (C) Dunnage • (D) None of the above


34. Which is required to be marked on the vessel's life preservers?

o (A) The crew member's article number • (B) The vessel's name o (C) The vessel's home port o (D) The stowage space assigned


35. Which term describes the strengthening of damaged bulkheads by using wood or steel?

• (A) Shoring o (B) Blocking o (C) Bracing o (D) Battening


36. While on watch at sea you must maintain a proper lookout at all times. On a 700-foot cargo vessel being hand-steered during daylight hours in good visibility and clear of any navigational hazards, who may be the lookout?

o (A) The helmsman • (B) The mate on watch o (C) Either A or B o (D) Neither A nor B


37. What does the lifesaving signal indicated by a horizontal motion of a white light or white flare mean?

o (A) "Negative" o (B) "Landing here highly dangerous" o (C) "Avast hauling" • (D) All of the above



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 38. You are approaching a ship that is broken down and are preparing to take her in tow. BEFORE

positioning your vessel to pass the towline, which action should you take?

o (A) Install chafing gear on the towline • (B) Compare the rate of drift between the ships o (C) Secure the bitter end of the towing hawser to prevent loss if the tow is slipped o (D) Have traveling lizards rigged to guide the towline while it is paid-out


39. Which is an explosion hazard when exposed to flame?

o (A) Tallow o (B) Formic acid • (C) Toluene o (D) Nitrous oxide


40. The vessel shown in illustration D025DG has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam. You are making more leeway than she. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines?

• (A) A o (B) B o (C) C o (D) D


41. During transfer operations, a quantity of propylamine spills on deck. According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is the correct reaction?

o (A) immediately flush the spill with large quantities of fresh water o (B) cover the contaminated surface with soda-ash-soaked lime solution • (C) add sodium bisulfate on the contaminated surface and spray it down with water o (D) move to a position upwind of the spill and allow the product to boil off


42. You are rigging a stage over the ship's side to serve as a working platform. For stability of the stage, the downhaul to one end of the stage and the downhaul to the other end, which are used for lowering the stage, should be led in which direction?

o (A) Either both to the inboard or both to the outboard side of the stage o (B) Both to the inboard side of the stage o (C) Both to the outboard side of the stage • (D) One to the inboard and the other to the outboard



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 43. Your vessel is conducting helicopter evacuation operations for an injured crew member. Which of

the following statements is true concerning the hoisting line?

o (A) A tag line is required to be attached to the hoist cable for securing o (B) As a safety measure wrap the line around the patient before attaching it to the basket • (C) Allow the line to touch the deck to discharge the static electricity o (D) Secure the graining line to the deck railings


44. Generally, you can best maintain a vessel's steering control under which condition(s)?

o (A) The vessel has no way on, with engines stopped o (B) The vessel has sternway • (C) The vessel has headway o (D) The vessel has no way on, with engines full ahead


45. You are using a racetrack turn to recover a man overboard. The vessel is first steadied when how many degrees away from the original heading?

o (A) 60° to 70° o (B) 90° o (C) 135° • (D) 180°


46. Which term describes the distance a vessel moves parallel to the original course from the point where the rudder is put over to any point on the turning circle?

o (A) Drift angle o (B) Pivoting point • (C) Advance o (D) Transfer


47. How long shall the Oil Record Book be maintained on a vessel engaged in coastwise trade?

o (A) 12 months o (B) 24 months • (C) 36 months o (D) 48 months



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 48. Which term is used to describe the distance a vessel moves at right angles to the original course,

when a turn of 180° has been completed?

o (A) Kick o (B) Advance o (C) Pivoting point • (D) Tactical diameter


49. Which item do you NOT have to provide for the Coast Guard representative at the time of a stability test?

o (A) Capacity plans showing the vertical and longitudinal centers of gravity of stowage spaces and tanks.

• (B) A stability letter. o (C) Tank sounding tables and draft mark locations. o (D) General arrangement plans of decks, holds and inner bottoms


50. Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk?

o (A) Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions. • (B) Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only. o (C) Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible. o (D) Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet.


51. When bunkering at a dock which of the following signals must be displayed?

o (A) A yellow flag by day, red light by night • (B) A red flag by day, red light by night o (C) A green flag by day, green light by night o (D) A red flag by day, a blue light by night


52. When should the control of flooding of your vessel be addressed?

o (A) Only if a threat exists • (B) Following control of fire o (C) Following restoration of vital services o (D) First



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 53. When the handle of an all-purpose nozzle is pulled all the way back, it will __________.

o (A) shut off the water o (B) produce high-velocity fog • (C) produce a straight stream o (D) produce low-velocity fog


54. Which is a predictable result of a vessel nearing a bank or edge of a steep banked channel?

o (A) The vessel will be drawn bodily into the bank unless the engines are stopped o (B) The vessel continues in a straight line, but with greatly reduced maneuverability o (C) The bow sheers toward the bank • (D) The stern is drawn to the bank as the bow sheers off


55. Which of the following is required to have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan?

o (A) All vessels, regardless of size and commercial application • (B) An oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, or other ship of 400 gross tons and above o (C) Any barge or ship constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can be

carried aboard o (D) An oil tanker of 400 gross tons and above, or other ships of 150 gross tons and above


56. In writing up the logbook at the end of your watch, you make an error in writing an entry. What is the proper means of correcting this error?

o (A) Carefully and neatly erase the entry and rewrite it correctly. o (B) Remove this page of the log book, and rewrite all entries on a clean page. o (C) Blot out the error completely and rewrite the entry correctly. • (D) Cross out the error with a single line, and write the correct entry, then initial it.


57. What statement about immersion suits is TRUE?

o (A) Any tear or leak will render the suit unserviceable and it must be replaced. • (B) No stowage container for immersion suits may be capable of being locked. o (C) During the annual maintenance, the front zipper should be lubricated using light machine oil

or mineral oil. o (D) Immersion suits should be worn while performing routine work on deck.



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Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 58. Which is TRUE concerning the painter of an inflatable liferaft?

o (A) Stowed under the raft to protect from the elements • (B) Secured to permanent object on deck via weak link o (C) Faked out next to the case on deck o (D) Staged for free running on the deck


59. When electrical equipment is involved in a fire, where should the stream of dry chemicals be directed?

o (A) Fogged above the equipment o (B) Shot off a flat surface onto the flames • (C) Aimed at the source of the flames o (D) Used to shield against electrical shock


60. International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificates are required for each U.S. oil tanker at or above how many gross registered tons?

o (A) 100 gross registered tons • (B) 150 gross registered tons o (C) 300 gross registered tons o (D) 400 gross registered tons


61. Which types of portable fire extinguishers are designed for use on electrical fires?

o (A) Dry chemical and soda-acid • (B) Dry chemical and carbon dioxide o (C) Carbon dioxide and foam (stored pressure) o (D) Foam (stored pressure) and soda-acid


62. On an international voyage, a cargo vessel of 1,000 GT or more operating two fire pumps simultaneously is required to have a minimum pitot tube pressure from the two highest outlets. What is the minimum required pressure?

• (A) 50 psi o (B) 70 psi o (C) 100 psi o (D) 35 psi



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 63. Which statement describes the relationship between flash point and auto-ignition temperature?

o (A) They are not necessarily related. o (B) Both are higher than normal burning temperatures. o (C) The flash point is always higher. • (D) The ignition temperature is always higher.


64. When the dew point of the outside air is higher than the dew point of the air in the cargo hold, which action should you take?

o (A) Ventilate the cargo holds • (B) Do not ventilate the cargo holds o (C) Energize the exhaust blowers o (D) Energize the intake blowers


65. If you are fighting a fire below the main deck of your vessel, which action is most important concerning the stability of the vessel?

o (A) Maneuvering the vessel so the fire is on the lee side o (B) Shutting off electricity to damaged cables o (C) Removing burned debris from the cargo hold • (D) Pumping fire-fighting water overboard


66. Where must a pressure gauge for each fire pump on a tankship be located?

o (A) At each fire station discharge • (B) At the pump discharge o (C) At the manifold connection o (D) At the pump station


67. What is the cause of most minor spills of oil products?

o (A) Major casualties • (B) Human error o (C) Unforeseeable circumstances o (D) Equipment failure



8/17/2020

Q391-Deck General-Safety U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Illustrations: 3 68. How should the letter "D" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

o (A) DA VID • (B) DELL TAH o (C) DOG o (D) DUKE


69. If more than one liferaft is manned after the vessel has sunk, which action will aid in your rescue?

o (A) Each raft should go in a different direction in search of land o (B) The possibility of a search aircraft finding you is increased by spreading out • (C) Tie each of the rafts together and try to stay in a single group o (D) Reduce the number of liferafts by getting as many people as possible into as few rafts as

possible


70. North Atlantic for several days. What could occur if a person suffering from hypothermia is vertically lifted in a rescue sling to the helicopter?

o (A) A decrease in the symptoms of hypothermia o (B) Temporary blindness from the altitude change • (C) Severe shock or cardiac arrest o (D) Frostbite on exposed areas



8/17/2020

National Maritime Center

Serving Our Nation’s Mariners

8/13/2018

D025DG

Adapted for testing purposes only

Further reproduction prohibited without permission of 19

Q391-Deck General-Safety



7/30/2018

D029DG

Adapted for testing purposes only from HAYLER, American Merchant Seaman’s Manual

Copyright © 1980 by Cornell Maritime Press, Inc.

Further reproduction prohibited without permission of 19 Q391-Deck General-Safety

national maritime center - united states coast guard...• (a) complete the stroke, raise your oar...

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