of Towing Vessels Practice Examination

Coast Guard Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels Practice Examination 100 Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a towing vessel’s Safety Management

System (SMS)?

• Improve crew comfort
• Reduce administrative paperwork
• Enhance operational safety and environmental protection
• Increase vessel speed

Rationale: SMS establishes procedures to manage risk and ensure safe

towing operations.

• When navigating in restricted visibility, the towing vessel must: 1 / 4

• Increase speed
• Stop engines
• Sound appropriate fog signals
• Turn off navigation lights

Rationale: Fog signals are required to warn other vessels of your presence.

3. The “hawser” refers to:

• A spare anchor
• A heavy towing line
• A wire used for sounding
• A mooring buoy

Rationale: A hawser is a thick line used specifically for towing or mooring.

4. The term “bollard pull” refers to:

• Vessel fuel consumption
• Vessel horsepower
• Towing force a vessel can exert
• Maximum load on winch

Rationale: Bollard pull measures static pulling force of a tug.

• Which document describes stability limitations for towing vessels? 2 / 4

• Crew list
• Logbook
• Stability letter
• Sea trial report

Rationale: Stability letters outline operating constraints to maintain safe

stability margins.

• A “push wire” is used primarily in which towing configuration?
• Astern tow
• Side tow
• Push boat tow (tow-knee operations)
• Single-point tow

Rationale: Push wires secure the tow when the tug pushes a barge ahead.

• What causes “girding” of a towing vessel?
• Overheating engines
• Improper lookout
• Towline forces acting broadside on the vessel
• Incorrect chart reading

Rationale: Girding occurs when the towline pulls the tug sideways, risking

capsize.

• / 4

• Which buoy system does the U.S. use for lateral marks?

A. IALA-A

B. IALA-B

• Inland–International
• Cardinal system only

Rationale: The U.S. follows IALA-B: red right returning.

9. A “dog” on a towing winch is:

• A safety checklist
• A mechanical locking device
• A gear lubricant
• A quick-release alarm

Rationale: Dogs lock the winch drum to prevent unwinding.

• The Rules of the Road classify a towing operation as “restricted in

ability to maneuver” when the tow:

• Is under 50 feet
• Cannot make more than 5 knots
• Interferes with maneuverability
• Is pushing ahead

Rationale: A tow that limits vessel maneuverability meets the definition.

• / 4