ARE YOU QUALIFIED?

On your tests you’ll need the following grades to pass.

Chart Plotting: 10 questions. 90 percent correct. Rules of the Road: 50 questions. 90 percent correct. Deck General: 50 questions. 70 percent correct. Navigation General: 50 questions. 70 percent correct.

Here are some random sample questions you’ll face on your exams.

1. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound four short blasts in succession. What does this signal indicate?

A. A vessel fishing.

B. A sailboat on port tack. C. A vessel being towed.

D. A pilot vessel on duty.

2. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a vessel “restricted in her ability to maneuver?”

A. A vessel towing unable to deviate from her course.

B. A vessel constrained by her draft.

C. A vessel not under command.

D. A vessel underway in fog.

3. Which of the following usually precedes a cold front? A. Hurricane.

B. Doldrum.

C. Squall Line.

D. Trough.

4. Which is the BEST method of determining if a vessel is dragging anchor?

A. Observe changes in bearings of fixed objects onshore. B. Note any change in the tautness of the anchor chain. C. Observe how much the vessel sheers while at anchor. D. Observe the amount of line paid out.

5. What is the cause of advection fog?

A. Temperature inversion over land.

B. An anabatic wind.

C. Warm, moist air blowing over cold surfaces.

D. Cold, moist air blowing over warm surfaces.

6. Which is one of the limitations of foam as an extinguishing agent?

A. Foam conducts electricity. B. Foam cannot be made with salt water.

C. Foam is heavier than oil and sinks below its surface. D. Foam is corrosive to all steel surfaces and is hazardous to firefighters.

7. How are Preferred Channels marked on a chart? A. Black and red horizontal bands.

B. Black can buoys.

C. Red and green horizontal bands.

D. Black and white vertically striped buoys.

8. What period would an occulting light have?

A. A period of light greater than that of dark.

B. A period of light less than that of dark.

C. An equal period of dark and light.

D. A longer period of light than an oscillating light.

9. “Fixed Light” would be abbreviated on a nautical chart:

A. FL.

B. Fi.

C. F.

D. Fx.

10. You enter a channel marked with a range and observe the lower section of the range to your left. What should you do?

A. Alter course to the right. B. Alter course to the left. C. Continue on course.

D. Check the light list to see if the range is aligned.