q328 Deck Safety

National Maritime Center
Keep ’em Safe, Keep ’em Sailing
U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam
Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons
Q328 Deck Safety
(Sample Examination)
9/7/2022 Page 1 of 18
Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What must be accurately determined to assess the potential for progressive flooding after a vessel
has been damaged?
o (A) The capacity of the water sprinkler systems

o (B) The operation of the machinery space bilge level alarms
• (C) The integrity of the water tight boundaries
o (D) All of the above
If choice C is selected set score to 1.
2. Which is the best action to take when plugging holes below the waterline for the safety of the
vessel?
o (A) Eliminate all water entering the hole

o (B) Only plug holes in machinery or other vital spaces
o (C) Plug the largest holes first
• (D) Reduce the entry of water as much as possible
If choice D is selected set score to 1.
3. Which statement concerning immersion suits is TRUE?
o (A) After purchasing, the suit should be removed from its storage bag and hung on a hanger
where readily accessible.
o (B) Immersion suits should be worn during routine work on deck to provide maximum protection.
o (C) Small leaks or tears may be repaired using the repair kit packed with the suit.
• (D) Immersion suits must have a PFD light attached to the front shoulder area.
4. What is the required minimum length of the painter for a lifeboat in ocean service?
o (A) twice the distance from the main deck to the light waterline or 50 feet whichever is greater
o (B) the distance from the main deck to the light waterline
o (C) 60 fathoms
• (D) two times the distance from the boat deck to the light waterline or 50 feet whichever is greater
5. A fire starts in a switchboard due to a short circuit. This is which class of fire?
o (A) A
o (B) B
• (C) C
o (D) D
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
6. What is the purpose of the tricing pendants?
o (A) They control the fore and aft motion of a lifeboat during lowering
• (B) They hold a lifeboat next to the embarkation deck while loading
o (C) They control the outboard swing of a lifeboat during lowering
o (D) They provide suspensions for the manropes
If choice B is selected set score to 1.
7. When would a racetrack turn be better than a Williamson turn in recovering a man overboard?
o (A) If there is thick fog

• (B) When the sea water is very cold and the man is visible
o (C) If the man has been missing for a period of time
o (D) When the wind was from astern on the original course
8. Which instrument is suitable for determining the presence of explosive concentrations of fuel oil
vapors in tanks?
o (A) A liquid cargo meter

• (B) A combustible gas indicator
o (C) A flame safety lamp
9. Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?
o (A) Chemical reaction

• (B) Ultrasonic
o (C) Magnetic particle
o (D) Dye penetrant
10. Oil fires are best extinguished by __________.
• (A) cutting off the supply of oxygen

o (B) removing the fuel
o (C) spraying with water
o (D) cooling below the ignition temperature
If choice A is selected set score to 1.
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
11. The percentage of the total surface area or volume of a flooded compartment that can be occupied
by water caused by damage defines which term?
• (A) Permeability
o (B) Form gain
o (C) One compartment standard
o (D) Center of flotation
12. You are underway in mid-ocean when you hear a distress message. The position of the sender is
150 miles away. No other vessel has acknowledged the distress. Your maximum speed is 5 knots
and due to the seriousness of the distress, you cannot arrive on scene to provide effective
assistance. What action should you take?
o (A) Send an urgency message about the distress.

o (B) Do not acknowledge the distress message.
• (C) Use the signal MAYDAY RELAY and transmit the distress message.
o (D) Transmit a message as though your vessel was in distress.
13. On the all-purpose nozzle, what is the position of the nozzle valve when the handle is all the way
forward?
o (A) spray
o (B) solid stream
• (C) shut
o (D) fog
14. Your vessel has an injured crew member onboard that will require evacuation. Which of the following
publications should you review for the procedures in conducting rescue/medivac helicopter
operations?
o (A) Merchant Marine Officers Handbook

o (B) International Maritime Organization Life-Saving Appliance Code Manual
• (C) International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual
o (D) Pub 117 Radio Aids to Navigation
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
15. What does the air spaces in the floor of an inflatable liferaft provide protection against?
• (A) Cold water temperatures

o (B) Loss of air in the sides of the raft
o (C) Rocks when landing
o (D) Asphyxiation from CO2
16. When approaching a fire from windward, you should shield firefighters from the fire by using which
method?
o (A) Foam spray

o (B) A straight stream of water
• (C) Low-velocity fog
o (D) High-velocity fog
17. When rendering assistance to personnel in the water a SAR helicopter utilizes a rescue sling for
most extractions. In which case would the use of a litter be preferred?
• (A) When the person is suffering from hypothermia

o (B) When the person is not trained in the use of the rescue sling
o (C) When the person is suffering from fatigue
o (D) When the person has a pacemaker and static discharge is a concern
18. What is the color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine indicating that a torpedo has been fired
in a training exercise?
o (A) Red
• (B) Green
o (C) White
o (D) Yellow
19. In illustration D014SA below, what number is the sea painter?
o (A) 1
o (B) 12
• (C) 16
o (D) 18
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
20. What is the flammable limit range of petroleum vapors mixed with air?
o (A) 0% to 1%
• (B) 1% to 10%
o (C) 10% to 15%
o (D) 12% to 20%
21. The distress message of a ship should include considerable information which might facilitate the
rescue. Which is TRUE concerning the information?
• (A) The information should be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows
o (B) The distress message shall include the vessel's draft
o (C) The information is ALWAYS included in the initial distress message and repeated as required
o (D) The message must be sent to a Coast Guard station FIRST
22. The releasing lever of a lifeboat shall be red in color with a placard stating which of the following?
o (A) "Danger, Boat May Drop"

• (B) "Danger"
o (C) "Danger, Lever Releases Boat"
o (D) "Danger, Do Not Touch"
23. Small hull leaks can be temporarily repaired by __________.
o (A) seizing
o (B) parceling
• (C) caulking
o (D) parbuckling
24. What may the firing of a red star signal mean?
o (A) "This is the best place to land"

o (B) "Tail block is made fast"
• (C) "Slack away"
o (D) "You are seen - assistance will be given as soon as possible"
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
25. A thrust bearing is designed to accomplish which action?
o (A) To be placed between the engines and the foundation to absorb the vibration
o (B) To absorb the shock of wave pressure at the bow
• (C) To transmit the thrust of the propeller to the vessel
o (D) To transmit the thrust of the engine to the propeller
26. The terms "cant frame" and "counter" are associated with which part of the vessel?
o (A) The forecastle

• (B) The stern
o (C) The steering engine
o (D) A cargo hatch
27. How can the spread of fire be prevented?
o (A) Shutting off the oxygen supply

o (B) Removing combustibles from the endangered area
o (C) Cooling surfaces adjacent to the fire
• (D) All of the above
28. Where should lifeboat hatchets be kept?
• (A) Stowed in brackets at each end of the boat

o (B) Kept next to the boat coxswain
o (C) Kept in the ship's emergency gear locker
o (D) Kept in a locker
29. A drill must be conducted in the use of the line throwing appliance. How often is this drill required to
be conducted?
o (A) 2 months
• (B) 3 months
o (C) 4 months
o (D) 5 months
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
30. Provided every effort is used to produce, as well as preserve body moisture content by avoiding
perspiration, how long is it normally possible to survive without stored quantities of water?
o (A) Up to 3 days
• (B) 8 to 14 days
o (C) 15 to 20 days
o (D) 25 to 30 days
31. What quality of a diesel fuel is most significant for efficient combustion?
o (A) Specific heat

o (B) Viscosity
o (C) Flash point
• (D) Volatility
32. What is the minimum number of people required to safely handle a 2-1/2 inch fire hose?
o (A) 1
o (B) 2
• (C) 3
o (D) 4
33. What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?
o (A) Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.

o (B) There is no difference.
• (C) Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
o (D) Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
34. Inflatable liferafts are provided with a __________.
o (A) towing connection

o (B) knife
o (C) lifeline
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
35. When using the rain water collection tubes on a liferaft, what should be done with the first collection?
o (A) It should be saved to be used at a later time

• (B) Poured overboard because of salt washed off the canopy
o (C) Passed around so all can drink their fill
o (D) It should be used to boil food
36. All personnel on board a vessel should be familiar with the rescue boat's __________.
o (A) maintenance schedules

• (B) boarding and operating procedure
o (C) navigational systems
o (D) fuel consumption rates
37. Which item is a safety feature provided on all inflatable liferafts?
o (A) Overhead safety straps

o (B) Built in seats
• (C) Water stabilizing pockets
o (D) Internal releasing hooks
38. How often are inflatable liferafts required to be overhauled and inspected at a U. S. Coast Guard
approved service facility?
o (A) Every six months

o (B) Every eighteen months
o (C) Every twenty-four months
• (D) Every twelve months
39. Radiation spreads a fire by __________.
o (A) burning liquids flowing into another space

• (B) transferring heat across an unobstructed space
o (C) heated gases flowing through ventilation systems
o (D) transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
40. A right-handed propeller will cause the survival craft to __________.
o (A) walk the stern to starboard in reverse

• (B) walk the stern to port in reverse
o (C) right itself if capsized
o (D) run faster than a left-handed propeller
41. The vessel shown in illustration D025DG has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The
wind is on her starboard beam. She is making more leeway than you. Where should you position
your vessel when you start running lines?
o (A) A
o (B) B
o (C) C
• (D) D
42. How is the external flotation bladder of an immersion suit inflated?
• (A) It is inflated by blowing through an inflation tube.

o (B) It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is automatically tripped when the front zipper is at the
top of the zipper track.
o (C) It inflates by sea water bleeding into the flotation bladder and reacting with a chemical therein.
o (D) It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is manually tripped.
43. A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the
towing line to you, where should you secure the line?
o (A) At the stern

• (B) To the forwardmost bitts
o (C) To the base of the foremast
o (D) To the forward part of the deckhouse
44. What term indicates the length measured along the summer load line from the intersection of that
load line with the foreside of the stem and the intersection of that load line with the aft side of the
rudder post?
o (A) Length overall

• (B) Length between perpendiculars
o (C) Register length
o (D) Length on the waterline
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
45. You have hand launched an inflatable liferaft. What should be one of your FIRST actions after all
persons have boarded the liferaft?
o (A) Open the equipment pack.

• (B) Cut the sea painter and clear the vessel.
o (C) Decide on food and water rations.
o (D) Inflate the liferaft floor.
46. If heavy smoke is coming from the paint locker, what should be the FIRST firefighting response?
o (A) Release the CO2 flooding system

• (B) Secure the ventilation
o (C) Open the door to evaluate the extent of the fire
o (D) Enter and use a portable extinguisher
47. The two factors which make underwater hull repair difficult are accessibility and which other factor?
• (A) The pressure exerted by the water

o (B) The threat of progressive flooding
o (C) The availability of tools
o (D) The shape of the hull
48. 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) If on a coastwise voyage along the east coast of the U.S., you should put into the nearest
port.
o (B) You should only enter a port in the danger zone during hours of darkness.
• (C) You should attempt to submit an AMVER report to NSA.
o (D) When over 200 miles from a port in the danger zone, you should not darken ship.
49. When the mainline valve of a self-contained breathing apparatus is open, the bypass valve should
be __________.
• (A) completely closed

o (B) completely open
o (C) disconnected
o (D) partially opened
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
50. Freeboard is measured from the upper edge of the __________.
• (A) deck line

o (B) sheer strake
o (C) gunwale bar
o (D) bulwark
51. In illustration D014SA below, which item number correctly identifies the external recognition light,
which can be seen up to two miles?
• (A) 3
o (B) 5
o (C) 8
o (D) 23
52. You are picking up a conscious person that has fallen overboard in one of the vessels motor boats.
Recovery is easier in a light breeze if you approach from which direction?
• (A) Windward with the victim to leeward

o (B) Approach with the wind on your starboard side
o (C) Leeward with the victim to windward
o (D) Approach with the wind on your port side
53. Ambient air, which you normally breathe, contains what percent of oxygen?
o (A) 6%
o (B) 10%
o (C) 15%
• (D) 21%
54. What time of day would an SSB radio have the longest transmitting range?
o (A) Daylight before noon

o (B) At noon
o (C) Daylight after noon
• (D) During darkness
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
55. What shall be conducted during a fire and boat drill?
o (A) Fire pumps shall be started and all exterior outlets opened.
• (B) All watertight doors in the vicinity of the drill shall be operated.
o (C) All lifeboat equipment shall be examined.
56. A deck-stowed 40-foot container is giving off smoke, and one end is discolored from heat. The cargo
is valuable and easily damaged by water. You want to extinguish the fire without further damage if
possible. What action should you take?
• (A) Pierce the container and discharge 6 or more portable CO2's then add more CO2 hourly.
o (B) Cool the exterior of the container with water and close all vents; then keep it cooled until it can
be off-loaded.
o (C) Flood the container with water and disregard any cargo damage as the fire threatens the
entire vessel.
o (D) Connect a portable line from the ship's fixed system and discharge CO2 into the container.
57. The total weight of cargo, fuel, water, stores, passengers and crew, and their effects, that a ship can
carry, is known as which term?
• (A) Deadweight
o (B) Bale cubic
o (C) Loaded displacement
o (D) Gross tonnage
58. When compared to low-expansion foam, a high-expansion foam will __________.
• (A) be drier
o (B) not cling to vertical surfaces
o (C) be more heat resistant
o (D) be heavier
59. How is the sea painter secured in an open lifeboat?
o (A) A bowline knot around a thwart

• (B) A turn around a forward thwart with a toggle pin thru the eye
o (C) An eye splice placed over one of the hooks of the releasing gear
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
60. Before entering the chain locker, you should __________.
o (A) de-energize the windlass

o (B) have someone standing by
o (C) make sure there is sufficient air within the locker
61. Which of the following penalties can be imposed for a violation of the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge
Radiotelephone Act"?
o (A) Suspension and/or revocation of an operator's FCC license

• (B) Civil penalty against the Master or person in charge of a vessel
o (C) Civil penalty against the vessel itself
62. Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?
o (A) Dye penetrant

o (B) Chemical reaction
o (C) Magnetic particle
• (D) Radiographic
63. A person who observes an individual fall overboard should do which of the following?
o (A) Go to the control room for the distress flares

o (B) Run to the radio room to send an emergency message
o (C) Immediately jump into the water to assist the individual
• (D) Call for help and keep the individual in sight
64. Fires are grouped into what categories?
o (A) Flammable solids, liquids, and gases

o (B) Type 1, 2, 3, and 4
o (C) Combustible solids, liquids, and gases
• (D) Class A, B, C, and D
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
65. You have carbon tetrachloride as part of the cargo. If a fire breaks out in the general area, what is
the major danger from the carbon tetrachloride?
o (A) You cannot use water to fight the fire because it will react with the carbon tetrachloride.
• (B) Phosgene gas may be formed if it comes in contact with hot metal.
o (C) It will burn rapidly once ignited.
o (D) It will explode if exposed to a flame.
66. Dry chemical extinguishers extinguish class B fires to the greatest extent by which method?
o (A) Smothering
o (B) Oxygen dilution
• (C) Breaking the chain reaction
o (D) Cooling
67. You abandoned ship in the North Atlantic and one of the crew members is hypothermic. During a
SAR helicopter extraction which lifting device should be avoided when hoisting this patient to the
aircraft?
• (A) The rescue sling

o (B) The rescue basket
o (C) The rescue net
o (D) The rescue litter
68. Which statement is TRUE concerning radiotelephones on board towing vessels?
o (A) Only distress messages may be transmitted over channel 13.

o (B) Only the Master of the vessel is allowed to speak over the radiotelephone.
o (C) There cannot be a radiotelephone located anywhere except in the wheelhouse.
• (D) The officer in charge of the wheelhouse is considered to have the radiotelephone watch.
69. In ship construction, where should the keel scantlings be the greatest thickness?
• (A) Amidships
o (B) At each frame
o (C) One-third the distance from the stern
o (D) One-third the distance from the bow
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Q328 Deck Safety
Q328 Deck Safety
Illustrations: 2
70. What is the function of wearing rings found on some centrifugal pumps?
o (A) Seal pump shaft against entry of air

• (B) Isolate the outlet side from the inlet side
o (C) Absorb erosion of high-velocity discharge stream
o (D) Dampen the turbulent discharge flow
9/7/2022 Page 16 of 18
Q328 Deck Safety
D025DG
Adapted for testing purposes only

Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 17 of 18
8/13/2018 Q328 Deck Safety
D014SA
Adapted for testing purposes only from Water Survival Manual

Copyright © 1991 by Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship
Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 18 of 18
11/7/2018
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National Maritime Center

Keep ’em Safe, Keep ’em Sailing

U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam

Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons

Q328 Deck Safety

Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions:

o (A) The capacity of the water sprinkler systems

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Eliminate all water entering the hole

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

3. Which statement concerning immersion suits is TRUE?

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

6. What is the purpose of the tricing pendants?

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) If there is thick fog

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) A liquid cargo meter

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

9. Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?

o (A) Chemical reaction

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

10. Oil fires are best extinguished by __________.

• (A) cutting off the supply of oxygen

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Send an urgency message about the distress.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Merchant Marine Officers Handbook

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

• (A) Cold water temperatures

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Foam spray

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

• (A) When the person is suffering from hypothermia

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

19. In illustration D014SA below, what number is the sea painter?

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) "Danger, Boat May Drop"

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

23. Small hull leaks can be temporarily repaired by __________.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

24. What may the firing of a red star signal mean?

o (A) "This is the best place to land"

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

25. A thrust bearing is designed to accomplish which action?

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) The forecastle

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

27. How can the spread of fire be prevented?

o (A) Shutting off the oxygen supply

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

28. Where should lifeboat hatchets be kept?

• (A) Stowed in brackets at each end of the boat

If choice A is selected set score to 1.