Deck General & Safety practice test

20 questions. Pick an answer to see its rule.

1. Question 1, Seamanship, International and Inland

   Which of the following is a hook that will release quickly?

   AMargin hookBMarginal hookCPelican hookDLongshore hook
   Show the answer

   C. Pelican hook

   A pelican hook is hinged and held by a ring, so knocking the ring free releases it quickly, even under load.

   General seamanship. Source: NMC sample exam.

2. Question 2, Seamanship, International and Inland

   You are preparing to slush a stay on your vessel by lowering yourself down the stay in a bosun's chair. The proper way to do this is to ride down the stay on a riding shackle in which configuration?

   AWith the pin of the shackle riding on the stayBWith the pin of the shackle through the chair's bridle eyeCWith a hook attaching the chair to the riding shackleDConnected to a second shackle on the chair
   Show the answer

   B. With the pin of the shackle through the chair's bridle eye

   The shackle's pin goes through the bridle eye and the bow rides the stay, so the turning shackle can't work the pin loose.

   General seamanship. Source: NMC sample exam.

3. Question 3, Seamanship, International and Inland

   Which is the proper way to coil right-laid line?

   AThe line can only be coiled on a reelBEither clockwise or counterclockwiseCCounterclockwise or against the sunDClockwise or with the sun
   Show the answer

   D. Clockwise or with the sun

   Coil right-laid line clockwise, or with the sun, to work with the lay and avoid kinks.

   General seamanship. Source: NMC sample exam.

4. Question 4, Watchkeeping, International and Inland

   While on duty as a look-out, which other duty may you perform?

   ASweep down the fo'c'sleBOverhaul a block, as long as it is at your look-out stationCPaint any area near your stationDNone of the above
   Show the answer

   D. None of the above

   A lookout does nothing else. Any other task takes attention away from the watch.

   Rule 5. Source: NMC sample exam.

5. Question 5, Watchkeeping, International and Inland

   What should look-outs report?

   AFloating objectsBDiscolored waterCShoalsDAll of the above
   Show the answer

   D. All of the above

   Report anything that could affect safe navigation, including floating objects, discolored water and shoals.

   Rule 5. Source: NMC sample exam.

6. Question 6, Boat Handling, International and Inland

   Your vessel is proceeding through a narrow channel. What actions can you take to avoid any sudden sheers of the vessel?

   APut your offshore anchor well in the waterBIncrease speed and stay to the outer limits of the channelCReduce speed and stay to the outer limits of the channelDReduce speed and stay in the deepest part of the channel
   Show the answer

   D. Reduce speed and stay in the deepest part of the channel

   Bank suction and bank cushion cause sheers near the sides of a channel. Slowing and staying in deep water keeps those forces balanced.

   General shiphandling. Source: NMC sample exam.

7. Question 7, Boat Handling, International and Inland

   When will a vessel "squat" while underway?

   AOnly when in shallow waterBOnly when in deep waterCOnly when in narrow channelsDIn all depths of water
   Show the answer

   D. In all depths of water

   Squat happens at any depth because moving water lowers the pressure around the hull. It's just more pronounced in shallow water.

   General shiphandling. Source: NMC sample exam.

8. Question 8, Boat Handling, International and Inland

   Generally speaking, which is the most favorable bottom for anchoring your vessel?

   ARocky with vegetationBLoose sand bottomsCVery soft mudDA mixture of mud and clay
   Show the answer

   D. A mixture of mud and clay

   A mud and clay mix gives an anchor good holding. Rock, very soft mud and loose sand hold less well.

   General seamanship. Source: NMC sample exam.

9. Question 9, Engineering, International and Inland

   Before starting any diesel or gasoline engine, which of the following must be checked?

   AOil levelBExhaust dischargeCFlow of cooling waterDAll of the above
   Show the answer

   A. Oil level

   The official key marks oil level. Treat this one with care: flow of cooling water can only be confirmed once the engine runs, which is why 'all of the above' isn't the keyed answer.

   NMC sample key. Source: NMC sample exam.

10. Question 10, Fire & Fuel, International and Inland

    Which action should be taken once fueling has been completed?

    AAll hatches should be opened, and all compartments should be ventilatedBThe fuel tank fill pipe should be left open to allow vapors to vent from the tankCOpen the fuel line and drain a small amount of gasoline into the bilge to clear the line of sedimentDThe engine should be started immediately to prevent vapor lock in the fuel line
    Show the answer

    A. All hatches should be opened, and all compartments should be ventilated

    Fuel vapor is heavier than air and sinks. Open everything and ventilate before starting anything that could spark.

    General gasoline safety. Source: NMC sample exam.

11. Question 11, Fire & Fuel, International and Inland

    Which of the following when removed will extinguish a fire?

    AOxygenBNitrogenCCarbon dioxideDSodium
    Show the answer

    A. Oxygen

    Fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen. Oxygen is the only one of the choices that is part of the fire triangle.

    Fire triangle. Source: NMC sample exam.

12. Question 12, Fire & Fuel, International and Inland

    Where would spontaneous combustion most likely to occur?

    AIn partially loaded fuel tanksBIn overloaded electrical circuitsCIn dirty swabs and cleaning gearDIn rags soaked in linseed oil
    Show the answer

    D. In rags soaked in linseed oil

    Linseed oil oxidizes and gives off heat. Rags soaked in it can self-ignite if piled together without air.

    General fire safety. Source: NMC sample exam.

13. Question 13, Survival, International and Inland

    Which is TRUE concerning drinking salt water?

    ASaltwater protects against heat crampsBSaltwater prevents seasicknessCConsuming saltwater will dehydrate youDIt is safe to drink if mixed with fresh water
    Show the answer

    C. Consuming saltwater will dehydrate you

    Salt water pulls more water out of your body than it adds, so drinking it speeds dehydration.

    General survival. Source: NMC sample exam.

14. Question 14, Survival, International and Inland

    A crew member has just fallen overboard off your port side. Which action should you take?

    AImmediately put the engines astern.BImmediately put the rudder over hard left.CWait until the stern is well clear of the man and then put the rudder over hard right.DImmediately put the rudder over hard right.
    Show the answer

    B. Immediately put the rudder over hard left.

    Put the rudder hard over toward the side the person fell from. It swings the stern and propeller away.

    General seamanship. Source: NMC sample exam.

15. Question 15, Regulations, International and Inland

    Which is TRUE concerning the official number of a documented vessel?

    AIt is not required to be marked anywhere on the vesselBIt is required to be permanently marked on the vessel's structureCIt is required to be painted on the vessel's sternDIt is required to be painted on the vessel's bow
    Show the answer

    B. It is required to be permanently marked on the vessel's structure

    A documented vessel's official number must be permanently marked on a structural part of the interior hull.

    46 CFR Part 67. Source: NMC sample exam.

16. Question 16, Regulations, International and Inland

    The remote control for a fixed fire extinguishing system, on an uninspected vessel, should be which of the following?

    AThe valves shall be padlockedBProtected by plexiglassCConcealed from the crewDLabeled in red letters 2 inches high
    Show the answer

    D. Labeled in red letters 2 inches high

    The remote control for a fixed system must be clearly marked in red letters at least two inches high.

    NMC sample key. Source: NMC sample exam.

17. Question 17, Regulations, International and Inland

    According to uninspected vessel regulations, what is the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers required on board a 45-foot motorboat built in 2017 having a fixed fire system on board?

    A1 5-BB2 5-BC3 5-BD4 5-B
    Show the answer

    B. 2 5-B

    A 40-to-65-foot boat built in 2017 needs three 5-B extinguishers, and an approved fixed system reduces that by one, leaving two.

    46 CFR 25.30-20. Source: NMC sample exam.

18. Question 18, Radio, International and Inland

    What is maximum power allowed by the FCC for VHF-FM radio transmissions?

    A1 wattB5 wattsC15 wattsD25 watts
    Show the answer

    D. 25 watts

    The maximum VHF marine power is 25 watts.

    47 CFR Part 80. Source: NMC sample exam.

19. Question 19, Radio, International and Inland

    Under the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" the frequency for bridge-to-bridge communications is 156.65 MHz or which channel?

    A12B13C14D16
    Show the answer

    B. 13

    Channel 13, 156.65 MHz, is the bridge-to-bridge channel.

    33 CFR Part 26. Source: NMC sample exam.

20. Question 20, Radio, International and Inland

    When making VHF radio calls to nearby stations, what level of transmitting power should you use?

    AHigh powerBLow powerCMedium powerDExtra high power
    Show the answer

    B. Low power

    Use low power, one watt, for calls to nearby stations. It reduces interference with others.

    47 CFR Part 80. Source: NMC sample exam.