USCG Assistance Towing - Towing Quiz -

Assistance Towing Endorsement – Towing Quiz

*IMPORTANT*
It is highly recommended that you master this quiz with a final test score of 100%, prior to scheduling your final exam.
*You will have a better test day outcome if you do this*

1 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When towing in an open seaway, it is important to use a towing line:

a) Made only of wire rope due to possible weather conditions.

b) That will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is in a trough.

c) That will have the tow on a crest while your vessel in on a crest.

d) With little dip to gain maximum control of the tow.

2 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A towing vessel is tripped when:

a) It is overtaken by the tow.

b) It is pulled sideways by the tow.

c) The weight of the towing hawser causes loss of maneuverability.

d) The propeller is fouled by the towing hawser.

3 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The danger of a towing vessel tripping is increased the closer the towline is secured to:

a) The stern.

b) Amidships.

c) The bow.

d) The quarter.

4 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A tow that veers to the side on the end of the towline is said to:

a) Yaw.

b) Surge.

c) Sway.

d) Swing.

5 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When towing astern, what equipment should be stowed ready to use near the towline?

a) First aid kit.

b) Axe or cutting torch.

c) Fire extinguisher.

d) Chafing gear.

6 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

What is used to prevent wear on towlines that bear on hard surfaces?

a) Chafing gear

b) Chocks

c) Grease

d) Boots

7 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Which action should be taken FIRST if your tow is sinking in shallow water?

a) Pay out the towline until the sunken tow reaches the bottom.

b) Sever the towline.

c) Immediately head for the nearest shoreline.

d) Contact the Coast Guard.

8 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

What is the greatest danger of an overriding tow?

a) Fouling of the towing hawser

b) Loss of steering

c) Tripping

d) Collision between the tow and the stern of the towing vessel

9 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

In order to detect rot in manila line you should:

a) Feel the surface of the line for broken fibers.

b) Measure the reduction in the circumference of the line.

c) Observe any mildew on the outer surface.

d) Open the strands and examine the inner fibers.

10 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

You have been towing astern and have just let go the tow. Your deckhands are pulling in and faking the towline by hand on the stern. The most dangerous action is to:

a) Continue ahead at slow speed.

b) Continue ahead at half speed.

c) Stop your engines.

d) Back down on your engines.

11 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Right-laid line should be coiled:

a) Clockwise.

b) Counter-clockwise.

c) Either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

d) On a reel.

12 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Laying out a line in successive circles flat on deck with the bitter end in the center is known as:

a) Coiling.

b) Faking.

c) Flemishing.

d) Lining.

13 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

What is an advantage of the 6 x 19 class of wire tope over the 6 x 37 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

a) Greater holding power

b) Better for towing

c) More resistance to elongation

d) More resistance to corrosion

14 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

You are being towed by one tug. As you lengthen the bridle legs you:

a) Increase your chances of breaking the towing hawser.

b) Reduce the yawing of your vessel.

c) Reduce the spring effect of the tow connection.

d) Increase your chances of breaking the bridle legs.

15 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A method used to make an eye in a bight of line where it cannot be spliced is known as:

a) Braiding.

b) Plaiting.

c) Seizing.

d) Serving.

16 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

You are attempting to take a dead ship in tow. All lines have been passed and secured. How should you get underway?

a) Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is just clear of the water, then reduce speed to that necessary to keep the line clear of the water.

b) If the towline is properly adjusted and weighted you can order full speed to get underway.

c) Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is taut and then continue at the speed until towing speed is attained.

d) Order minimum turns until the catenary almost breaks the water then stop. Order more turns as the hawser slackens but keep the catenary in the water.

17 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When being towed, a fairlead is used to:

a) Change the direction of the tow hookup.

b) Secure the tow hookup to the towed vessel.

c) Connect the fishplate to the bridle.

d) Connect the tow bridle to the towed vessel.

18 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Back-up wires on a towed vessel provide:

a) A factor of safety.

b) Additional strength.

c) A distribution of the towing load.

d) All of the above.

19 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Towing a structure using two tugs approximately side by side, each using one hawser is referred to as a:

a) Tandem tow.

b) Honolulu tow.

c) Breasted tug tow.

d) Tandem tug tow.

20 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When tandem tug towing, the more powerful of the two tugs should be:

a) The lead tug.

b) Behind the lead tug.

c) Towing at a right angle to the smaller tug.

d) Towing at a faster speed than the smaller tug.

21 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When towing astern, one way to reduce yawing of the tow is to:

a) Trim the tow by the stern.

b) Trim the tow by the head.

c) Have the tow on an even keel.

d) List the tow on the side it is yawing.

22 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When cutting wire rope, seizings are put on each side of the cut to prevent the wire from unlaying and also to:

a) Maintain the original balance of tension in the wires and strands.

b) Prevent moisture from entering between the wires at the cut end.

c) Forces lubricant from the core to protect the raw, cut end.

d) All of the above.

23 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

To obtain better steering control when you are towing alongside, your vessel should be positioned with its:

a) Bow extending forward of the tow.

b) Stern amidships of the tow.

c) Stern extending aft of the tow.

d) Bow even with the bow of the tow.

24 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Towlines should be inspected for chafing where the towline:

a) Passes over the stern of the towing vessel.

b) Passes through the chocks.

c) Is attached to the disabled vessel.

d) All of the above.

25 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The line with the most stretch is:

a) Manila.

b) Nylon.

c) Polypropylene.

d) Dacron.

26 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

What is used to prevent twisting of a towing bridle?

a) A bitt

b) A bulkhead

c) A V-spring

d) A Fishplate

27 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The measurement of the amount of force a towing vessel is capable of applying to a motionless tow is called:

a) Shaft horsepower.

b) Delivered horsepower.

c) Bollard pull.

d) Towrope pull.

28 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A bollard is found on the:

a) Beach.

b) Deck.

c) Pier.

d) Towed vessel.

29 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The tow makeup that is designed to keep the catenary of the tow hawser to a minimum is called the:

a) Christmas tree tow.

b) Tandem tow.

c) British tow.

d) Tandem tug tow.

30 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The lead of a tow bridle is usually redirected with a:

a) Chock.

b) Bollard.

c) Pad eye.

d) Devil’s claw.

31 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Nylon line is better suited than manila for:

a) Towing alongside.

b) Towing astern.

c) Holding knots and splices.

d) Resisting damage from chemicals.

32 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A common class of wire rope is the 6 x 37 class. What does the 37 represent?

a) Number of wires in the inner core.

b) Number of strands per wire rope.

c) Tensile strength of the wire.

d) Number of wires per strand.

33 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A “loose” tow may cause all of the following EXCEPT:

a) Loss of maneuverability.

b) Lines to part.

c) Damage to the towing vessel and tow.

d) A saving in the transit time.

34 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The legs of a tow bridle are joined together with a:

a) Bridle plate.

b) Shackle.

c) Fishplate.

d) Tri-link.

35 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

In securing a towing cable, consideration must be given to letting go in an emergency. The possible whip of towlines when released can be overcome by:

a) Increasing the shaft RPM prior to release.

b) Using a pelican hook for quick release.

c) Using preventers.

d) Using a short chain for the lead through the stern chock.

36 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Why are stern towing bitts placed well forward of the rudder when hawser towing?

a) To keep the hawser from fouling the rudder

b) To keep the towing bitts as far away as possible from the tug’s pivoting point

c) To allow the stern to swing more freely when using rudder

d) To have as much of the towing hawser in use as possible

37 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When towing astern, chafing gear should NOT be used on a hawser which is:

a) Attached to an “H” bitt.

b) Attached to an automatic towing engine.

c) Held amidships by a gob rope.

d) Connected to a swivel.

38 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

It is not advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it:

a) Stretches too much.

b) Is too expensive for everyday towing usage.

c) Binds on the cleats.

d) Parts too readily.

39 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

The strongest method of forming an eye in wire rope is using:

a) Three wire rope clamps.

b) An eye splice with four or five tucks.

c) A thimble fastened with four or five tucks.

d) A wire rope socket attached with zinc.

40 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A tug in irons is:

a) Rudder bound.

b) Being tripped by the towline.

c) Unable to maneuver.

d) Broached.

41 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

To “ease” a line means to:

a) Cast off.

b) Double up so that one line does not take all the strain.

c) Pay out line to remove most of the tension.

d) Slack it off quickly.

42 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

To reduce stress on the towing hawser when towing astern (ocean tow), the hawser should be:

a) Secured to the aftermost fitting on the towing vessel.

b) Just touching the water.

c) Underwater.

d) As short as possible.

43 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

Where should a vessel being towed alongside be positioned for increased maneuverability?

a) Stern of the towed vessel aft of the stern of the towing vessel.

b) Stern of the towed vessel even with the stern of the towing vessel.

c) Stern of the towed vessel forward of the stern of the towing vessel.

d) Bow of the towed vessel even with the bow of the towing vessel.

44 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

In towing it is desirable for the tug and the tow to ride wave crests simultaneously because:

a) Shock loading on the tow line is reduced.

b) Towing speed is improved.

c) The tow is more visible from the tug.

d) The catenary of the towline is reduced.

45 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

A towline should be fastened to:

a) The chocks at the bow of a towed vessel.

b) The most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail.

c) The mast of a towed sailboat.

d) A secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel.

46 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When being towed by one tug, the towing bridle should be connected to a towing:

a) Bitt with figure eights.

b) Pad eyes with pelican hooks.

c) Pad eyes with safety hooks.

d) All of the above.

47 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When towing, the least amount of tension will be on each bridle leg when the two legs:

a) Form a large angle with each other.

b) Form a small angle with each other.

c) Are of unequal lengths.

d) Are joined by a fishplate.

48 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When inspecting wire rope before a hoisting operation, one must look for:

a) Fishhooks.

b) Kinks.

c) Worn spots.

d) All of the above.

49 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

What may prevent a tug from tripping or capsizing when towing a large vessel?

a) Surge lines

b) Stern towing pins.

c) Under riders.

d) Safety shackles

50 / 50

Category: ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT – Towing

When maneuvering from pull towing to breasted (alongside) towing, a twin-screw vessel is more likely than a single-screw vessel of equal horsepower to:

a) Trip or capsize.

b) Foul the towline.

c) Go into irons.

d) Part the towing strap.

Your score is

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