1. The forecastle of the ship is in the
- A. Midship chapter
- B. Rear chapter
- C. Forward chapter
- D. Aft chapter
Answer: C — Forward chapter
The forecastle, commonly known as the 'fo'c'sle', is the forward-most part of the ship's upper deck. It is located at the forward end, typically above the forward perpendicular.
2. Bell on the forecastle is fitted to
- A. Indicate number of anchor shackles paid out
- B. Wake the crew Up
- C. Raise an alarm in case of emergency.
- D. Signal change of watch
Answer: A — Indicate number of anchor shackles paid out
A bell on the forecastle, specifically the anchor bell, is used to indicate the number of shackle lengths of anchor chain paid out. This is a visual aid for the bridge during anchoring operations.
3. Fenders are placed on the jetty to
- A. Keep the ship alongside
- B. To help cargo operations
- C. Prevent damage to the shipside
- D. To minimize pollution
Answer: C — Prevent damage to the shipside
Fenders are deployed to prevent the ship's hull from directly contacting the quay or other vessels. This protects both the ship and the fixed structures from potential damage during berthing.
4. Communication between the bridge and the mooring station is conducted by
- A. Shouting orders
- B. Light signals
- C. Hand signals
- D. Walkie Talkie
Answer: D — Walkie Talkie
Effective communication between the bridge and mooring stations is vital for safe operations. Walkie-talkies (portable radiotelephones) provide a reliable means of two-way voice communication.
5. Forward spring is used in mooring system to prevent the vessel from moving
- A. Away from the jetty
- B. Astern
- C. Athwartships direction
- D. Ahead
Answer: D — Ahead
A forward spring mooring line runs from the forward part of the vessel aft to a quay bollard. It is used to control the vessel's movement ahead, preventing it from moving forward away from the jetty.
6. An anchor is used by the ship to
- A. Make the ship fast alongside a jetty.
- B. Make the ship fast to seabed.
- C. Navigate in shallow waters.
- D. Tow the ship
Answer: B — Make the ship fast to seabed.
An anchor is a heavy device attached to a chain or cable, designed to grip the seabed. Its primary function is to hold a vessel in a fixed position and prevent it from drifting.
7. Anchor is lead to shipside through
- A. Anchor chain pipe
- B. Lead pipe
- C. House pipe
- D. Hawse pipe.
Answer: D — Hawse pipe.
The anchor, when deployed or retrieved, passes through a specially designed opening in the ship's hull called a hawse pipe. This pipe guides the anchor chain and protects the hull from abrasion.
8. In berth rat guards are placed on the ships mooring ropes to
- A. Prevent rats from entering and leaving the ship
- B. Catch the rats as they move on the mooring rope
- C. Prevent the rats from chewing the rope
- D. Kill the rats as they move on the mooring rope
Answer: A — Prevent rats from entering and leaving the ship
Rat guards are circular metal shields placed on mooring ropes and pilot ladders. They are designed to prevent rats and other rodents from climbing aboard or leaving the vessel.
9. When passing towline to tug from mooring deck
- A. Pass both ends of the rope to the tug
- B. Take full three turns on the bitts and throw the line towards tug
- C. Make fast both ends on board and pass the bight to the tug
- D. Take half turn on bitts and pass one eye to the tug
Answer: D — Take half turn on bitts and pass one eye to the tug
When passing a towline to a tug, the ship's crew should take a half turn on the bitts and pass one eye of the rope to the tug. This allows for controlled tensioning and safe transfer of the towline.
10. Anchor ball is hoisted on the:
- A. Fore Castle
- B. Stern Post
- C. Main Mast
- D. Radar Mast
Answer: A — Fore Castle
The anchor ball, a statutory day signal, is always displayed on the foremast or the forecastle. It visually indicates to other vessels that the ship is at anchor.
11. Length of each shackle in the anchor cable is
- A. 29.5 mtrs
- B. 28.5 mtrs
- C. 27.5 kms
- D. 27.5 mtrs
Answer: D — 27.5 mtrs
The standard length of a shackle in the anchor cable on most merchant vessels is 27.5 meters. These markings are essential for determining the scope of the anchor cable being deployed.
12. Breast rope is used in mooring system to prevent the vessel from moving
- A. Ahead
- B. Away from the jetty
- C. Towards the jetty
- D. Fore and aft direction
Answer: B — Away from the jetty
A breast rope runs perpendicular to the ship's centerline, from the ship's side to a quay bollard. It is used to hold the vessel firmly alongside the jetty, preventing it from moving away.
13. The term "commence weighing anchor means" to
- A. Lower the anchor to the seabed
- B. Check the weight of the anchor
- C. Heave the anchor up from the seabed
- D. Lower the anchor to the water level
Answer: C — Heave the anchor up from the seabed
The term 'commence weighing anchor' is an order to begin the process of hauling the anchor up from the seabed. This involves operating the windlass to retrieve the anchor chain.
14. Bollard is a
- A. Air pipe
- B. Steel block
- C. Stanchion
- D. For making fast mooring ropes/wires.
Answer: D — For making fast mooring ropes/wires.
A bollard is a short, sturdy post, typically made of cast iron or steel, fixed on a quay or ship. It serves as a strong point for securing mooring ropes and wires.
15. In Mooring term "Make Fast" means
- A. Do mooring operations faster.
- B. Start heaving the anchor faster
- C. Use the chain stopper
- D. Make fast the hawser on the bitts
Answer: D — Make fast the hawser on the bitts
In mooring terminology, 'make fast' means to secure a mooring line or wire firmly to a bitt or other securing point. It indicates that the line is properly tensioned and fastened.
16. When the tug is pulling the ship, the ship's crew should
- A. Tie a rope stopper to the tugs rope
- B. Keep well clear of the tug’s rope
- C. Keep slacking the rope as the weight comes on it
- D. Stand close to the bollard where the rope is secured
Answer: B — Keep well clear of the tug’s rope
When a tug is pulling a ship, there is significant tension on the lines. Crew members should maintain a safe distance from the towline and any associated equipment to avoid injury from potential snap-backs.
17. In dry dock the anchor cable is
- A. Interchanged in the middle
- B. Changed end to end
- C. Renewed at both ends
- D. Renewed at one end
Answer: B — Changed end to end
In dry dock, it is common practice to turn the anchor cable end-for-end. This procedure allows for even wear distribution and inspection of both ends of the chain, extending its service life.
18. A merchant ship anchors in the anchorage waiting area when her
- A. Hatch cover has to be chipped and painted
- B. Berth is not vacant
- C. Aft draft has to be reduced
- D. Fresh water tank has to be cleaned
Answer: B — Berth is not vacant
A merchant ship anchors in an anchorage area primarily when its assigned berth is occupied by another vessel or unavailable for other reasons. This allows the ship to wait safely until the berth becomes vacant.
19. Cellular container vessel have several lift on lift off hatch cover to
- A. Minimize stress on the trackway
- B. Carry more containers on deck
- C. Prevent water from entering into the cargo hold
- D. Reduce the weight of each hatch cover
Answer: B — Carry more containers on deck
Cellular container vessels have specialized hatch covers that are designed to carry additional containers on top. These 'lift-on, lift-off' covers are structurally designed to support the weight of containers, thus increasing cargo capacity.
20. Sounding pipe cap is opened with a
- A. Box spanner
- B. T' spanner
- C. Ring spanner
- D. Wheel spanner
Answer: B — T' spanner
Sounding pipe caps are typically secured with a T-spanner. This specialized tool allows for a firm grip to open or close the cap, which is often designed to be watertight.
21. Prior to loading cargo the hatch covers should be
- A. Painted
- B. Greased
- C. Visually checked
- D. Hose tested
Answer: D — Hose tested
Before loading cargo, hatch covers must undergo a hose test. This is a crucial watertightness test to ensure that no water will enter the cargo holds during the voyage, protecting the cargo from damage.
22. The union purschase is rigged with a
- A. Mooring wire
- B. Seizing wire
- C. Bowsing wire
- D. Preventer wire
Answer: D — Preventer wire
A preventer wire is used in a union purchase rig to prevent the derrick from swinging sideways, thereby increasing stability and safety during cargo operations. It acts as a secondary support to the primary guys.
23. The strum box is located in the
- A. Mast house
- B. Hold bilges
- C. Galley
- D. Fore peak store
Answer: B — Hold bilges
The strum box is a coarse strainer fitted at the suction side of the bilge pumping system. It prevents large debris from entering the pump and pipelines, thereby protecting the pump from damage and blockages in the hold bilges.
24. The rubber packing in the hatch cover is used to make it
- A. Water tight
- B. Resistant to ships motion
- C. Weather tight
- D. Airtight
Answer: C — Weather tight
Under the Load Line Convention, hatch-cover rubber gaskets compressed by cleats make the covers weathertight.
25. Lift on lift off hatches are used on
- A. Cellular container ships
- B. General cargo ships
- C. Gear less bulk carriers
- D. Car carriers
Answer: A — Cellular container ships
Lift-on/lift-off hatches are typically used on cellular container ships because they are designed to be stacked and moved by specialized container cranes. This method facilitates efficient loading and unloading of standardized container units.
26. Sounding of tanks and bilges are taken
- A. Monthly
- B. Daily
- C. Weekly
- D. Fortnightly
Answer: B — Daily
Sounding of tanks and bilges should be taken daily. This regular monitoring is crucial for maintaining situational awareness of the vessel's stability, ballast status, and potential water ingress, which is vital for safe operation.
27. The lower the angle of the boom of the derrick or crane
- A. Lesser will be the hoisting rate
- B. Greater will be the lifting capacity
- C. Lesser will be the lifting capacity
- D. Greater will be the hoisting rate
Answer: C — Lesser will be the lifting capacity
The lower the angle of the boom of a derrick or crane relative to the horizontal, the lesser will be its lifting capacity. This is due to the increased load on the hoisting wires and the reduced mechanical advantage.
28. Hatches are secured by
- A. Eccentric rollers
- B. Wire lashing
- C. Chain lashing
- D. Quick acting cleats
Answer: D — Quick acting cleats
Hatches are secured by quick-acting cleats, which are leverage-based devices that quickly clamp the hatch covers down onto the coaming. This ensures a secure and tight closure against weather and sea.
29. The crane jib is raised and lowered with the
- A. Standing block
- B. Moving block
- C. Topping block
- D. Running block
Answer: C — Topping block
The crane jib is raised and lowered using the topping lift, which is a wire rope system connected to the top of the jib. This allows for precise control over the jib's angle and height during lifting operations.
30. Before going out to sea all hatch covers should be
- A. Battened down
- B. Kept chapterly open
- C. Battened down chapterly
- D. Closed but not battened down
Answer: A — Battened down
Before going to sea, all hatch covers must be securely battened down. This action ensures watertight integrity, protecting the cargo from any potential water ingress during the voyage, which is a critical safety requirement.
