1. Bow stopper is used to:
- A. Prevent the Anchor from dragging
- B. Prevent Anchor chain from coming in
- C. Prevent the Anchor chain from fouling.
- D. Prevent Anchor chain from running out.
Answer: D — Prevent Anchor chain from running out.
A bow stopper, also known as a devil's claw, is a mechanical device used to secure the anchor chain after it has been hove up. Its primary function is to prevent the chain from running out unintentionally, thereby relieving pressure on the windlass brake.
2. The heaving line is used when berthing to send the
- A. Rat guard ashore
- B. Mooring rope ashore
- C. Fire hose ashore
- D. Walkie Talkie ashore
Answer: B — Mooring rope ashore
A heaving line is a light, weighted line thrown ashore or to another vessel. It is used to establish a connection, enabling a heavier line, such as a mooring rope, to be hauled across.
3. When berthing a gant line is used to send the
- A. Lashing material ashore
- B. Mooring wire ashore
- C. Heaving line ashore
- D. Fenders ashore
Answer: B — Mooring wire ashore
A gant line is a light line, often synthetic, used to pass heavier ropes or wires. When berthing, it serves as a messenger line to haul the main mooring wires or ropes from the quay to the ship.
4. A gant line acts as a
- A. Rocket line
- B. Marking line
- C. Heaving line
- D. Messenger line
Answer: D — Messenger line
A gant line, also referred to as a messenger line, is a light, flexible line used to haul heavier ropes or wires. It facilitates the transfer of mooring lines or wires between the ship and the shore or another vessel.
5. Aft back spring is used to keep the vessel from moving
- A. Away from the jetty
- B. Astern
- C. Ahead
- D. Athwart ship direction
Answer: B — Astern
An aft spring mooring line runs from the stern of the vessel forward to a quay bollard. It is primarily used to control the vessel's movement astern, preventing it from moving backward away from the jetty.
6. The last link in the anchor chain is called
- A. Half shackle end.
- B. Bitter end.
- C. Better end.
- D. Chain end
Answer: B — Bitter end.
The bitter end is the terminal end of the anchor chain, which is connected to the ship's structure via a breaking link. It is the last link of the chain that is typically brought on board.
7. Windlass brake lining is attached to
- A. Gear box
- B. Brake band
- C. Windlass motor
- D. Windlass drum
Answer: B — Brake band
The windlass brake lining is a critical component that provides friction to hold the anchor chain secure. This lining is attached to the brake band, which clamps onto the windlass drum to prevent movement.
8. A vessel can drag anchor when the sea is
- A. Rough with no tide
- B. Rough with strong tide
- C. Calm with strong tide
- D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
A vessel can drag anchor under various conditions where the holding power of the anchor is overcome. This includes rough seas and strong tides, or even calm conditions with a very strong tide, all of which exert significant force on the anchor.
9. Fenders are placed on the shipside when coming alongside a jetty to protect the
- A. Mooring ropes from wear and tear
- B. Bow thrusters from contact damage
- C. Shipside from contact damage
- D. Shore bollards
Answer: C — Shipside from contact damage
Fenders are deployed along the ship's side when approaching or lying alongside a jetty or quay. Their purpose is to absorb impact and prevent damage to the vessel's hull and the quay structure.
10. When lowering the tug rope to the tug, the crew must
- A. Lower the rope in a controlled manner
- B. Lower the rope with a rope stopper
- C. Allow the tug to pull the rope
- D. Let the rope run out immediately
Answer: A — Lower the rope in a controlled manner
When lowering a tug rope, it is crucial to do so in a controlled manner to prevent sudden jerks or accidents. This ensures the safety of personnel and equipment on both vessels.
11. The anchor cable is marked to
- A. Recognize the number of the shackle coming up on deck
- B. Measure the length of each cable
- C. Record when the cable was last painted
- D. Prevent corrosion
Answer: A — Recognize the number of the shackle coming up on deck
The anchor cable is marked with paint at intervals of one shackle (approximately 27.5 meters). These marks allow the bridge team to accurately determine the amount of cable paid out.
12. The anchor ball is hoisted when the vessel is
- A. During Manoeuvring at the anchorage area
- B. During anchoring operations
- C. During repairs to anchor and anchor chain.
- D. During anchorage.
Answer: D — During anchorage.
The anchor ball is a black spherical shape displayed during daylight. It is hoisted when a vessel is at anchor to indicate its status to other vessels, signifying that it is not under command and is at anchor.
13. When anchoring the order "let go" means
- A. Keep clear of anchor chain
- B. Allow the anchor to run out by releasing the windlass brake
- C. Increase the speed of the windlass
- D. Tighten the windlass brake.
Answer: B — Allow the anchor to run out by releasing the windlass brake
The order 'let go' when anchoring signifies the release of the anchor. This is achieved by disengaging the windlass brake, allowing the anchor and chain to run out freely under gravity.
14. All modern ships have a
- A. Stock anchor
- B. Kedge anchor
- C. Mushroom anchor
- D. Stockless anchor
Answer: D — Stockless anchor
Modern merchant ships predominantly use stockless anchors, such as the Hall or AC14 type. These anchors are designed for efficient handling and good holding power, with their flukes retracting into the body.
15. When a vessel is at anchor the bow stopper relieves the stress on the
- A. Hawse pipe
- B. Anchor Chain
- C. Warping drum
- D. Anchor Brake
Answer: D — Anchor Brake
When a vessel is at anchor, the bow stopper (or chain stopper) takes the load off the windlass brake and cable holder. This prevents the windlass mechanism from being subjected to the full strain of the anchor chain.
16. Before proceeding out to sea on a long voyage anchors are secured using
- A. Chain stopper
- B. Locking Pin
- C. Windlass Brake
- D. Turnbuckle and wire lashing
Answer: D — Turnbuckle and wire lashing
Before sailing on a long voyage, anchors are securely stowed using a combination of the windlass brake, chain stopper, and often wire lashings secured by turnbuckles. This prevents any accidental movement of the anchor during the voyage.
17. 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.
18. Chain Stopper is used to:
- A. Prevent anchor chain from running out
- B. Hold tight mooring wire when being transferred
- C. Prevent chain from slipping through hawse pipe
- D. Prevent gangway from slipping
Answer: B — Hold tight mooring wire when being transferred
A chain stopper is a device used to secure the anchor chain, particularly when transferring mooring wires. It holds the chain firmly, preventing it from running out, thereby ensuring safety during mooring operations.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
