Practice Exam Questions And Correct

U.S. Coast Guard Master 500 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) Near Coastal Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a load line?
• Improve ship handling
• Provide structural stability
• Indicate the maximum legal draft for safe loading
• Show the vessel’s trim

Ensures a vessel is not overloaded and maintains required reserve buoyancy and stability.

2. A magnetic compass deviation table is corrected primarily by:

• Gyro repeater alignment
• Adjusting permanent and soft iron correctors
• GPS initialization 1 / 4

• Resetting the fluxgate

Deviation arises from ship-borne magnetism; correctors reduce this error.

3. The purpose of a voyage plan is to:

• Replace radar plotting
• Establish a safe, pre-evaluated navigation strategy
• Meet ISM recordkeeping requirements
• Provide cargo data

A voyage plan ensures hazards, weather, and routing are assessed before sailing.

4. The term “free surface effect” refers to:

• Ballast weight
• Loss of stability caused by liquid shifting in a partially filled tank
• Wave action on hull
• Cargo shifting

Moving liquid raises the virtual center of gravity, reducing stability.

5. A Mayday call should be transmitted on:

• VHF Channel 68
• VHF Channel 72
• VHF Channel 16
• VHF Channel 26

Channel 16 is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency.

• The “Rule of Responsibility” under COLREGs states that: 2 / 4

• Inland rules take precedence
• Sailing vessels always have right-of-way
• Nothing in the rules exonerates neglect in taking precautions
• The give-way vessel always keeps course

Mariners must take all precautions required by good seamanship regardless of rule wording.

7. The effectiveness of a sea anchor depends mainly on:

• Vessel freeboard
• Drag and holding in the water to reduce drift
• Water temperature
• Hull material

A sea anchor increases drag to keep the bow into seas and control drift.

8. A “running fix” is obtained by:

• GPS only
• Advancing an LOP from an earlier time to intersect a new LOP
• Taking radar ranges exclusively
• Using celestial bodies

Running fixes estimate position when only one LOP is available at a time.

9. The International Load Line Convention applies primarily to:

• Fishing vessels
• Seagoing commercial vessels engaged in international voyages
• Pleasure craft 3 / 4

• Ferries under 100 GRT

The convention regulates load line requirements for most international commercial vessels.

10. When a vessel is “in irons,” it means:

• Dragging anchor
• Stuck head-to-wind and unable to maneuver
• Drifting sideways
• Heavy fouled bottom

A sailing term meaning the vessel loses steerage when head-to-wind.

11. A gyrocompass seeks:

• Magnetic north
• True north
• Grid north
• Celestial north

Gyrocompasses orient to true north by exploiting Earth’s rotation.

12. SOLAS requires abandon-ship drills:

• Monthly
• Every 30 days or as otherwise required
• Only before first voyage
• Weekly

Regular drills ensure crew proficiency in emergencies.

13. The “height of eye” affects:

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